Pilot
Coral Reef Monitoring Activities
Thanks to the financial and technical support
extended by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, pilot
reef monitoring exercises were carried out by GCRMN in the Gulf
of Mannar, Andamans and the Lakshadweep. These were meant to initiate
laying of permanent transects and monitoring them at regular intervals
for short and long term changes. Current monitoring activities
are being integrated with ICRMN.
Steering committees
The Department of Ocean Development, which is a link between ICRMN
and GCRMN, has constituted steering committees to co-ordinate
the research activities of different agencies in each reef region.
These committees help in pooling of resources and personnel and
in interacting with other reef regions.
Indian
Coral Reef Monitoring Network (ICRMN)
ICRMN was formulated as the national version
of GCRMN with emphasis on design of a monitoring and management
plan suited to the local needs. The Ministry of Environment and
Forests co-ordinates this. Major areas of activity are monitoring
the health of coral reefs, capacity building, management practices
and creation of awareness.
Global
Coral Reef Monitoring Network
(GCRMN)
The aim of GCRMN is to provide co-ordination
and technical support to coral reef countries throughout the world
and to develop national-level coral reef monitoring programs.
The GCRMN is jointly promoted by four international agencies and
implemented by the Department of Ocean Development (DoD). The
Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is closely associated
with the implementation of project activities.
National
Mangrove and Coral Reef Committee (NMCRC)
This committee, constituted by the Ministry
of Environment and Forests, identifies priority areas for reef
research and recommends deserving R&D projects for financial
and material support.
Indo-Australia
Training and Capacity Building Project (IATCBP)
The IATCB Project, instituted under AUS-AID
of the Govt. of Australia, is intended to assist India in developing
adequate capacity for monitoring and management of her coral reefs.
Under this project, two Indian scientists were trained for 3 months
in coral taxonomy at Museum of Tropical Queensland. Subsequently,
a team of 5 senior officers from the Govt. of India visited for
two weeks different agencies concerned with coral reef and coastal
resource management in Australia.
