Recommendation including remedial measures relevant to the environmental problems studied under the scheme

Present status of capacity for monitoring and management
Implementation and enforcement of protected area management plans and regulations which are generally poor or absent with the already weak management system, which lacks motivation, trained personnel, equipment and funding are the major drawbacks seen in monitoring at Lakshadweep (Rajasuriya et al 2000b). However even though management systems, trained personnel and equipments are available (Koya, S.I. Per.com), human and physical resources remain a limiting factor and the implementation of coral reef monitoring leaves a paucity of socio economic monitoring data. In many cases there is no application of monitoring data towards reef management and decision-making (Wilkinson, 2000).

The Lakshadweep island administration has begun a programme of instituting post of Honorary Environmental Warden and by engaging local youth in environmental awareness programmes. It was envisaged to operate effectively with the local dive operations with diving skills, seems to be promising and expected in the regular involvement of monitoring programme (Arthur, 1999).

Hence, in all the islands of Lakshadweep, the socio-economic monitoring of reef resource users should be strengthened by improving the evaluation of reef fisheries, creating mechanisms to link monitoring information to management, raise awareness to highlight the damage caused to reefs due to human activities and to protect the coastlines by mangrove aforestation and introducing alternative construction materials other than coral reefs.

Among the important points, were the lack of planned, long-term and comprehensive research programs, the lack of data on the effects of humans on coral reef ecosystems and the lack of an infrastructure to educate the people about the scientific value of the coral reef eco-systems.

As in many developing countries, law enforcement and education are greatly needed to preserve coral reefs (Bakus, 1983).

The Way Ahead: Priority Areas for Action
This study could not determine changes, if any, in the community structure and fish census because of the methodological inconsistencies with previous studies. However, the present study provides the basic information with which further long term monitoring can be compared and the priority areas for immediate action can be identified.

Some of the recommendations are:
1. Sustained and continued reef monitoring should be done in all the islands of Lakshadweep at a broader level with proper funding provisions.
2. The fish abundance should be studied in the present three islands of survey along with the rest of the islands.
3. Digital Mapping of the areas for reef biota needs to be undertaken.
4. Threat assessment and conservation strategy needs to be prepared.
5. Assessment of the biodiversity and other baseline parameters at all sites should be undertaken, enabling identification of priority sites needing immediate intervention.
6. To promulgate the representative species (including coral reefs, sea-grass beds, mangroves, marine turtles, marine mammals, endangered marine species etc. along with the eco-system).
7. Training and capacity building of marine scientists in coral reef research and SCUBA diving.
8. The continuation of the current monitoring program which will help researchers and managers to protect the fragile ecosystem if future monitoring is expanded to include more sites and different zones at each site.

Click to know more:

• Project Abstract
• Oil Spillage
• Pollution
• Coral bleaching
• Highlights of the findings achieved in the project
• Detailed report of work done on the project
• Description of the study areas
• Recommendation including remedial measures
• Impacts of the work on the scientific potential of our country