Vijaysinh Parmar
Source: The Times of India
March 24, 2012

"In a first in the country, fragments of locally-extinct corals (acropora sp) have been successfully moved from Agatti islands in Lakshadweep and transplanted in coastal waters of Gujarat.

A joint initiative of Marine National Park (MNP), Jamnagar, Gujarat forest department, Wildlife Trust of India and supported by Tata Chemicals, it is believed to be a pioneering experiment in restoration of coral reefs - also known as rainforests of the seas - in Mithapur reef in Arabian sea and Poshitra reef of MNP in Gulf of Kutch,.

"MNP has a good coral diversity with about 49 species. Acropora sp was found here once upon a time. Now only dead remnants are found in most of the inter-tidal zone of the park. The restored corals will be monitored closely," R D Kamboj, chief conservator of forests, MNP, told TOI."

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