Gulf of Mannar
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has identified a deep-sea region in the Gulf of Mannar for hydrocarbon exploration under the 10th round of the Open Acreage Licensing Policy.
About Gulf of Mannar:
• Location: Situated between the southeastern coast of India (Tamil Nadu) and the west coast of Sri Lanka.
• Forms part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean. Separated from Palk Bay by Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu).
• Forms part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean.
• Separated from Palk Bay by Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu).
• Geological Features:
• Major Rivers Draining into the Gulf: India: Thamirabarani River, Vaippar River. Sri Lanka: Malvathu Oya (Malvathu River). Unique Geological Structure: Shallow depth (~5.8m average) facilitates coral reef formation.
• Major Rivers Draining into the Gulf: India: Thamirabarani River, Vaippar River. Sri Lanka: Malvathu Oya (Malvathu River).
• India: Thamirabarani River, Vaippar River.
• Sri Lanka: Malvathu Oya (Malvathu River).
• Unique Geological Structure: Shallow depth (~5.8m average) facilitates coral reef formation.
• Shallow depth (~5.8m average) facilitates coral reef formation.
• Minerals Found:
• Limestone and gypsum: Key industrial minerals. Ilmenite, rutile, garnet, and zircon: Found in coastal sand deposits. Natural gas and oil reserves: Potential hydrocarbon deposits identified.
• Limestone and gypsum: Key industrial minerals.
• Ilmenite, rutile, garnet, and zircon: Found in coastal sand deposits.
• Natural gas and oil reserves: Potential hydrocarbon deposits identified.
• Biodiversity: Frequent visitors include dolphins, sharks, dugongs, and sea turtles. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (1986): 21 islets between Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (1989): Covers 10,500 sq km, including coastal estuaries, coral reefs, salt marshes, and mangrove forests. Holds the distinction of being the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and Southeast Asia.
• Frequent visitors include dolphins, sharks, dugongs, and sea turtles.
• Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (1986): 21 islets between Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi.
• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (1989): Covers 10,500 sq km, including coastal estuaries, coral reefs, salt marshes, and mangrove forests. Holds the distinction of being the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and Southeast Asia.
• Holds the distinction of being the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and Southeast Asia.