Initiatives
KARNATAKA
KARNATAKA
The Karnataka coastline is a relatively understudied wildlife habitat that covers an area of 320km. Many species of marine megafauna including Sea Turtles, Dolphins and Whales have been found along this coast. In the recent past, excessive fishing, fish farming, industrial and other human activity has taken a toll on the wildlife found in these areas. Despite this, very little documentation or research has been conducted.
The Karnataka Coastal Conservation project was set up in 2019 after identifying several issues detrimental to the health of our coasts and has been working on a number of aspects of coastal conservation along the coast of Karnataka.
Since 2019, with the help of a dedicated team of veterinarians and biologists, ReefWatch has attended to over 236 Marine Stranding incidents, rescued, rehabilitated and released several Sea Turtles and Birds and has conducted several Coastal Clean-ups in coordination with local volunteer groups, and surveyed women in the Kundapur District. Studies were conducted on the waste to establish source, types of waste, brand assessments, etc.
The ReefWatch team in Karnataka is based out of Kundapur and is working on projects to improve our coastal marine habitats and the lives of people dependent on them. Another issue that plagues our coastlines is unsustainable practices such as overfishing, muscle farming, and irresponsible waste disposal. Alternatives methods of waste disposal and muscle farming are being introduced to the locals to help create livelihoods and improve the health of local ecosystems. For effective progress to be made it is imperative to work with stakeholders, local governing bodies, communities and young minds. ReefWatch continuously involves the forest department, local volunteer organisations and the children of Kundapur in engaging activities.
GOA
GOA
The state of Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. While Goa was known for its old-world charm, the slow pace of life and beautiful, quaint villages, it also happens to be a biodiversity hotspot, a place with a wealth of different ecosystems such as laterite plateaus, the western ghats, traditional Kazaan lands, and coastal and intertidal habitats.
In the last decade, the landscape of Goa has changed drastically. The mining industry, though declared illegal by the Supreme Court in 2018, has significantly degraded the environment since it began in 1949. Illegal sand mining and the existence of coal ports has exacerbated the situation. The number of tourists visiting the state has also increased exponentially – around 1.3 core tourists visit compared to the 15 lakh residents of the state. This rise in tourism brought with it issues of overcrowding, pollution, and rapid and unsustainable development.
This medley of activities has put an incredible amount of pressure on the state’s coastline. Sadly, it is difficult to fully comprehend the extent of these damages to our marine ecosystems from a cursory point of view. ReefWatch started its first project in Goa in April 2021. Similar to the Karnataka project in Kundapur, a veterinary network for stranded marine megafauna like dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds, has been established, with the permission of the Goa Forest Department.
As of April 2023, the team of ReefWatch veterinarians and biologists in Goa has already attended around 270 stranding incidents. In 2022 the team also began engaging with school children and making presentations about the marine biodiversity in Goa and the need for conservation. So far the team has had 13 such sessions leading to lots of interesting and engaging conversations with the children!
ANDAMAN ISLANDS
ANDAMAN ISLANDS
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a hotspot of biodiversity located about 1400 km east of the Indian mainland. This unique Union Territory of India is home to coral reefs, mangroves, tropical rainforests, rocky intertidal shores and many endemic species. The islands were severely impacted by the 2004 tsunami and are also threatened by increasing (often unsustainable) tourism, development, climate change and deteriorating water quality.
ReefWatch has been operating a base out of Chidiyatapu (South Andaman Island) since 2018. Here we have been involved with community outreach projects, coral reef monitoring as well as coral reef restoration.
Click below to read more about our various projects. We believe in collaborative efforts and welcome volunteers and donors alike.
Gujarat
Gujarat
The longest coastline of the nation – the coastline of Gujarat – is turning out to be a major challenge for conservationists due to diverse ecosystems coexisting with large scale businesses along the coast, from ports and chemicals to fishing. Despite the commercial activity, the coast and its adjacent waters have not been explored and monitored to the extent they should have been. The waters off Gujarat are home to coral reefs and rich aquatic life like fishes, prawns, crabs, mollusks and sea turtles. The proximity of the oceanic plate and deeper waters to the coast also attract megafauna such as Blue whales, Dolphins, Whale Sharks, Dugongs and Porpoises closer to the shore. The beaches of Gujarat provide breeding grounds for the Green Sea Turtle and other marine turtles.
We are currently in the process of conducting an extensive reconnaissance of the coastline – interviewing coastal communities, researchers and other important stakeholders – as well as building a team to set up a Marine Megafauna Stranding Response System for the state of Gujarat in collaboration with our partner C-SCAPES.
Our work currently includes gathering information about the marine megafauna of the region, raising awareness among people at social level, boosting cultural events and festivities relevant to coastal cohabitation, establishing a robust stranding reporter network and networking of all relevant stakeholders.
Taken by: Shinto K Anto
Taken in: Manilao, Philippines
General – In this category we invited underwater images of all types taken by any type of camera. The winning image was a macro image of a Pygmy Seahorse nestled in a fan coral.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Under 18s – This category was created to encourage young talent and ocean explorers of the country. The winning image was a lionfish captured by a 14 year old girl from Mumbai.
Taken by: Gaurav Patil
Taken in: Goa, India
Conservation – In this category we invited any image that portrayed a marine conservation issue, whether taken on land or underwater. The winning image was of a leopard ray being gutted by a fishermen on the shores of Margao.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Video – In this category we invited underwater videos under 4 minutes long. The winning entry was a beautiful, heart wrenching film about humpback whales, shot in the Kingdom of Tonga by Upamanyu Das.
BLUE INDIA UNDERWATER IMAGERY COMPETITION
The Blue India Underwater Imagery Competition has 4 main categories – General, Under 18s, Conservation and Video. The competition is only open to Indian Nationals. Featured here are the winners from 2019. We have currently paused this competition due to the Covid crisis and will be announcing the next dates for submission of entries as soon as we are able.
BLUE INDIA UNDERWATER IMAGERY COMPETITION
The Blue India Underwater Imagery Competition has 4 main categories – General, Under 18s, Conservation and Video. The competition is only open to Indian Nationals. Featured here are the winners from 2019. We have currently paused this competition due to the Covid crisis and will be announcing the next dates for submission of entries as soon as we are able.
Taken by: Shinto K Anto
Taken in: Manilao, Philippines
General – In this category we invited underwater images of all types taken by any type of camera. The winning image was a macro image of a Pygmy Seahorse nestled in a fan coral.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Under 18s – This category was created to encourage young talent and ocean explorers of the country. The winning image was a lionfish captured by a 14 year old girl from Mumbai.
Taken by: Gaurav Patil
Taken in: Goa, India
Conservation – In this category we invited any image that portrayed a marine conservation issue, whether taken on land or underwater. The winning image was of a leopard ray being gutted by a fishermen on the shores of Margao.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Video – In this category we invited underwater videos under 4 minutes long. The winning entry was a beautiful, heart wrenching film about humpback whales, shot in the Kingdom of Tonga by Upamanyu Das.
BLUE INDIA UNDERWATER IMAGERY COMPETITION
Taken by: Shinto K Anto
Taken in: Manilao, Philippines
General – In this category we invited underwater images of all types taken by any type of camera. The winning image was a macro image of a Pygmy Seahorse nestled in a fan coral.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Under 18s – This category was created to encourage young talent and ocean explorers of the country. The winning image was a lionfish captured by a 14 year old girl from Mumbai.
Taken by: Gaurav Patil
Taken in: Goa, India
Conservation – In this category we invited any image that portrayed a marine conservation issue, whether taken on land or underwater. The winning image was of a leopard ray being gutted by a fishermen on the shores of Margao.
Taken by: Palak Jain
Taken in: Maldives
Video – In this category we invited underwater videos under 4 minutes long. The winning entry was a beautiful, heart wrenching film about humpback whales, shot in the Kingdom of Tonga by Upamanyu Das.
The Blue India Underwater Imagery Competition has 4 main categories – General, Under 18s, Conservation and Video. The competition is only open to Indian Nationals. Featured here are the winners from 2019. We have currently paused this competition due to the Covid crisis and will be announcing the next dates for submission of entries as soon as we are able.
