Van Island Restoration in the Gulf of Mannar

Van Island Restoration in the Gulf of Mannar

Van Island, located about 12 km off the Thoothukudi coast in the Gulf of Mannar, has emerged as a global model for marine ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation. It is part of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park within India’s first marine biosphere reserve.

Salient Features:

• The island suffered drastic shrinkage from ~20.08 ha (1969) to ~1.53 ha (2015) due to coral mining and coastal erosion.