Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Conservation of Marine Life
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Conservation of Marine Life

## 1645.  DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  detailed  progress  of  aquatic  life  restoration  programme,  such  as  artificial  reef installations, in marine biodiversity;
- (b) the details of the Government's plan to use international collaborations, to combat marine plastic pollution and improve ocean health and marine life;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to address the threat of rising ocean temperatures on marine  ecosystems,  particularly coral reefs, which  face  significant  bleaching  and extinction risks;
- (d) the  initiatives  being  implemented  to  mitigate  the  effects  of  warming  oceans  on  India's fisheries sector, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities and marine life; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  integrate  these  technologies  with  policy frameworks  for  better  implementation  and  monitoring  of  conservation  strategies  for marine life, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) Artificial  reefs  are  engineering  interventions  designed  to  rehabilitate  and/or  enhance natural  habitats,  increase  productivity,  and  manage  aquatic  resources,  including  habitat improvement.  The  installation  of  artificial  reefs  in  India  is  part  of  ongoing  efforts  to restore marine ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support sustainable fishing practices.  The  Zoological  Survey  of  India  (ZSI)  plays  a  significant  role  in  coral restoration  and  transplantation.  India's  largest  coral  translocation  project,  led  by  ZSI, involved  relocating  16,522  corals  from  intertidal  and  subtidal  zones  to  suitable  sites around  Narara,  Gujarat.  Additionally,  2,000  coral  cement  frames  (artificial  reefs)  have been strategically placed to ensure the long-term preservation of marine biodiversity. The Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 937 artificial reef units across 11 coastal states and  Union  Territories,  with  an  investment  of  ₹176.81  crore  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to promote the restoration of aquatic life.
- (b) India is one of the lead countries of GloLitter Partnership programme. The programme is of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to support participating countries to tackle marine plastic litter issues on national and regional level both from shipping and fisheries sectors,  implementing  in  partnership  with  Food  &  Agriculture  Organisation  of  United Nation. India has constituted National task force and published National Action Plan for on Marine Plastic Litter from Sea-based sources.
- (c) The  Indian  National  Centre  for  Ocean  Information  Services  (INCOIS)  provides  early warnings  of  potential  coral  bleaching  using  satellite  data,  helping  to  protect  coral ecosystems  and  support  climate  resilience  efforts.  The  Coral  Bleaching  Alert  System (CBAS) assesses thermal stress accumulated in coral environments based on sea surface temperature. Information derived from CBAS is disseminated every three days, including data on hotspots, the degree of heating weeks, and time series products.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has studied the significant impacts of bleaching on hard coral species in Indian waters. Using advanced climate modelling techniques, ZSI provides valuable insights for the  development  of effective conservation strategies and timely interventions.

- (d) The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) collects vital information on the distribution of fish stocks,  the  composition  of  various  species,  and  the  effects  of  fluctuations  in  ocean temperature  on  marine  biodiversity.  FSI  helps  fishers  adapt  to  changes  in  the  marine ecosystem  and  provides  guidance  on  sustainable  fishing  practices.  Additionally,  FSI conducts  awareness  campaigns  and  educational  initiatives  for  coastal  communities  to raise awareness about climate-resilient fishing methods and alternative sources of income for sustainable livelihoods.
- (e) The Government of India is integrating advanced technologies with policy frameworks to improve  the  implementation  and  monitoring  of  marine  life  conservation  strategies. Satellite  imagery,  remote  sensing  technologies,  and  autonomous  underwater  vehicles, such  as the C-bot, are used  to monitor  ocean  conditions,  including sea surface temperature,  salinity,  water  quality,  and  coral  health.  These  technologies  support  early warning  systems  to  protect  coral  ecosystems,  enhance  climate  resilience,  and  assist  in policy  formulation  to  track  ecosystem  health,  detect  illegal  fishing,  and  monitor  coral reefs and marine protected areas (MPAs).

Climate-resilient technologies and practices developed by leading institutions in the fields of  oceanography,  marine  biology,  fisheries,  and  coastal  management-such  as  CSIRNational Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT),  Indian  National  Centre  for  Ocean  Information  Services  (INCOIS),  and  the Central  Marine  Fisheries  Research  Institute  (CMFRI),  are  employed  in  conservation strategies for marine life.