 the gulf of mannar () ( is a large shallow bay forming part of the laccadive sea in the indian ocean. it lies between the southeastern tip of india and the west coast of sri lanka, in the coromandel coast region. a chain of low islands and reefs known as adam's bridge, also called ramsethu, which includes mannar island, separates the gulf of mannar from palk bay, which lies to the north between india and sri lanka. the estuaries of thamirabarani river of south india and the malvathu oya (malvathu river) of sri lanka drain into the gulf.kallidaikurichi aiyah nilakanta sastri. (1979). south india and south-east asia: studies in their history and culture. geetha book house. ==conservation== ===marine sanctuary===  located on the southeastern tip of the subcontinent, the gulf of mannar is known to harbour over 3,600 species of flora and fauna, making it one of the richest coastal regions in asia. 117 hard coral species have been recorded in the gulf of mannar. sea turtles are frequent visitors to the gulf as are sharks, dugongs, and dolphins. however, the combined effects of 47 villages, with a total population of around 50,000 has meant that overharvesting of marine species has become a problem. fish catches have declined, as have pearl oyster, gorgonian coral, and acorn worm populations. local fishermen rely on the reef to feed their families, but destructive fishing methods combined with the stress of pollution and coral mining have meant both nearshore and offshore catches have decreased. endangered species include dolphins, dugongs, whales and sea cucumbers. in 1986, a group of 21 islets lyi
Coromandel_Coast Geography_of_Sri_Lanka Geography_of_Tamil_Nadu Gulf_of_Mannar Gulfs_of_India Gulfs_of_the_Indian_Ocean IndiaaSri_Lanka_border