Marine Biodiversity Research Paper

INTRODUCTION

Oceans cover vast sections of the earth accounting for 72% of our planet . India being a coastal country has a coastline extending for about 7516 km, and its waters are permeated by rich marine biodiversity. There are varied coastal ecosystems in India’s waters including the ones in the three gulfs (Gulf of Kachch, Gulf of Khambat, and Gulf of Mannar) and the two islands (Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands), such as estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, mud flats, seagrass, backwaters, salt marshes, sandy stretches, coral reefs and rocky shores. These have within them unique and diverse flora and fauna. The coastal ecosystems perform various functions and deliver services apart from being a habitat to their dynamic populations.

Failing to address the degradation of the marine ecosystems and taking measures for the protection of the same could lead to serious consequences on the environment leading to the extinction of several species as well as devastating effects on human life. Addressing this issue and making measures to safeguard and protect the marine environment requires legal intervention. This paper seeks to discuss the legal framework to protect marine biodiversity in India arising out of its international obligations and evaluate the efficacy of the same. The paper proposes in its conclusion possible measures that can be undertaken by India to strengthen the regulations so as to effectively preserve and protect these marine ecosystems and

The first chapter is the introduction that outlines broadly the intentions of the paper as well as the motivation for the paper.

The second chapter lists India’s marine biodiversity, its coastal ecosystems, explaining mangroves and coral reefs etc. It also briefly includes the various reasons for the degradation of marine biodiversity. It gives a brief description of the biodiversity in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, and there are maps provided for the various different components of marine biodiversity in India.

The third chapter details the international community’s efforts at preservation of marine biodiversity, concentrating primarily on the conventions and treaties which give rise to India’s obligations such as the UNCLOS and the CBD.

The fourth chapter analyses India’s legal regime to protect marine biodiversity, and the efforts made under such regime to protect and preserve marine biodiversity. In this chapter, the effectiveness of such interventions is analyzed.

The fifth chapter is the conclusion and it includes recommendations to further improve the state of protection of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

RESEARCH