Gulf of Mannar Marine park to offer cruise to 22 islands soon

In a boost to marine tourism, the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has acquired two fully covered fibre glass boats that would take tourists on a cruise to 22 islands in the Biosphere Reserve.
Tourists can enjoy the Marine diversity and colourful fish species in the sea, Mandapam Forest Ranger Venkatachala Boopathy told PTI today.
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, under the forest department, has a core area of about 560 Sq km from Rameswaram to Tutucorin lying within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve on the south-east coast of the country.
It is one of the world's richest regions from marine bio diversity perspective and the first marine Biosphere Reserve in Southeast Asia. The Gulf's 3,600 plant and animal species include globally endangered Sea Cow (Dugong).

Tourists would be able to sea the marine life through the transparent glasses of the boat, Boopathy said said.
Steps would soon be taken to make all the 21 islands picnic spots, he added.
The islands have estuaries, beaches, forests of the near shore environment, including marine components like algal communities, sea grasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.
The official also clarified that there was no fire in the islands. As part of a clean up drive "We are cleaning the islands and burning the garbage," he said.