Mithapur coral reef restoration project

Coral reefs are highly productive marine habitats known as the rainforests of the sea. They are indicators of the quality of marine environment, and are of great significance for the livelihoods of coastal communities. The aim of the Mithapur coral reef restoration project is to strengthen this marine ecosystem. This project is the first of its type, being carried out in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India and the State Forest Dept., and will serve as a role model for similar marine conservation projects in the country. Conservation efforts include mapping of reef boundaries and biodiversity, raising of a coral nursery, setting up of protocols for long distance coral transportation and transplantation, monitoring of coral growth, marine biodiversity, biological parameters of coral reefs, and transplantation of coral species in sparsely populated reef areas in Mithapur waters.

The Mithapur coral reef restoration project has helped in the design and testing of long distance coral transportation and transplantation protocols, which will now provide a basis to the global scientific community involved in the conservation of corals.