**Summary: Conservation of Marine Species in India**
The Indian government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has implemented several measures to conserve marine species and their habitats. These initiatives include establishing a network of protected areas under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972, listing threatened marine species under Schedules I and II of the same act to protect them from hunting, and amending the act in 2022 to empower the Indian Coast Guard with enforcement authority.
Key actions include the formulation of the National Marine Turtle Action Plan (2021) and the release of Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines (2021). The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2019 focuses on the conservation and management of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). Project Dolphin, launched in 2021, aims to conserve both oceanic and riverine dolphin species.
Financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme-Development of Wildlife Habitats for wildlife conservation, including marine species. Funding support is also provided through the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for the conservation of Dugongs and their habitats, as well as for coral and mangrove conservation.
Funds released to coastal States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Development of Wildlife Habitats over the past three years are as follows (in lakhs):
* **2022-23:** ₹2663.37
* **2023-24:** ₹3816.22
* **2024-25:** ₹5371.13
Specific allocations to States/UTs varied, with Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Odisha receiving significant funding.
This information was provided by the UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH.
Key Entities Referenced
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Indian legislation providing for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
Coastal Regulation Zone CRZ Notification, 2019: Notification under Environment Protection Act 1986, focusing on conservation and management plans of Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
Environment Protection Act 1986: An Act of the Parliament of India. With the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment
National Marine Turtle Action Plan: A plan formulated by the Ministry to conserve marine turtles and their habitats.
Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines: Guidelines released in 2021 for management of stranding and entanglement of marine mega fauna.
Project Dolphin: An initiative launched in 2021 to conserve both oceanic and riverine dolphin species.
National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority CAMPA: Authority providing funding support for conservation of Dugongs and their habitats.
Odisha: A coastal State in India, that received funds under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Development of Wildlife Habitats.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Parliament Question: - Conservation of Marine
Species
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 3:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has taken various important steps for the conservation of marine species which includes:
i. A network of protected areas across the Coastal States and Islands of the country under the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been created for the conservation of marine species.
ii. Many threatened marine species have been listed Schedule I and II of the Wild Life (Protection)
Act 1972 according them protection against hunting.
iii. The Ministry has amended Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2022 to include section 50 which
empowers the Indian Coast Guards for entry, search, arrest and detention in case of contravention
of provisions of the Act.
iv. The Ministry has formulated a National Marine Turtle Action Plan with the aim to conserve
marine turtles and their habitats in January 2021.
v. The Ministry has released the ‘Marine Megafauna Stranding Management Guidelines’ in 2021 for
management of stranding and entanglement of marine mega fauna.
vi. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, promulgated under Environment
(Protection) Act 1986, has specific focus on conservation and management plans of Ecologically
Sensitive Areas (ESAs), like Mangroves, Seagrasses, Sand dunes, Corals and Coral reefs,
Biologically active mudflats, Turtle nesting grounds, and Horse shoe crabs’ habitats.
vii. Project Dolphin is an initiative launched in 2021 to conserve both oceanic and riverine dolphin
species.
viii. The Ministry provides financial assistance to States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored
Scheme-Development of Wildlife Habitats-for conservation of wildlife including marine species and
their habitat. The details are provided as per Annexure-I
ix. The Ministry under the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authority (CAMPA) provided funding support for conservation of Dugongs and their habitats.
x. The Ministry is granting funds under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes to maritime States and
Union Territory administrations for the conservation of Corals and Mangroves.
Annexure-I
Details of funds released to coastal States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme -
‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ during last three years.
(₹. in lakhs)
Name of
S.No. 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
States/UTs1 A& N Islands 25.13 0.00 0.00
2 Goa 0.00 50.10 66.44
3 Gujarat 200.01 206.99 801.58
4 Karnataka 291.71 581.52 800.82
5 Kerala 224.47 921.04 909.64
6 Maharashtra 350.39 554.70 622.06
7 Odisha 967.50 1005.09 1108.46
8 Tamil Nadu 132.95 373.89 661.79
9 West Bengal 201.31 385.30 183.15
10 Puducherry 0.00 5.22 0.00
11 Lakshadweep 269.91 124.66 217.19
Grand Total 2663.37 3816.22 5371.13
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST
AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya
Sabha today.
***
VM/GS
(Release ID: 2147741)