Underwater world in Goa soon

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which has already identified nine varieties of coral including the semi-precious red coral in demand from the jewellery industry, is poised to conduct a detailed survey of the seascape.

While experienced swimmers can explore the mysteries of the reefs eight months a year, otherswill have to visit the park in January for a look at the marine life when the water is crystal clear. Later in the year, the corals begin to spawn, which makes the water murky.

“Though much smaller than the reefs of the Andamans and Nicobar Islands, which are home to more than 250 varieties of coral, Goa’s reefs can also be very promising for visitors,” says Conservator of Forests, Richard D’Souza. “Visitors to Goa will be able to explore the underwater world on their own thanks to scuba diving in the recreation zone,” he says.

Other forms of marine life identified include several species of ornamental fish, gorgions, sea-cucumbers, sea-horses, starfish and a spectrum of sea weed. “The coral reefs are the rain forests of the underwater world,” says D’Souza, waxing on about the flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. He says the marine park was mooted with a view to protecting the reefs, which are threatened by commercial exploitation of the environment in the vicinity.

The open cast iron oreand manganese mines in the neighbourhood chuck several tonnes of earth into the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, which pollute the waters off the Marmagao harbour. Simultaneously, the corals die a slow death as silt settles like a giant blanket on the delicate fauna.

Indiscriminate fishing has done its share of damage as fisherfolk searching for red coral and other marine life drop anchor on the reefs. This uproots the corals and damages the reefs considerably.

Coral-picking is widespread though it is banned by law. But, Goa’s forest department hopes, the plundering will end once the marine park is set up.