Studies on Faunal Diversity and Coral Reef Ecosystems of Palk Bay

Conservation and sustained development of natural living resources and environmental protection have been the focus of extensive, scholarly attention in this century. The diverse use of coastal and oceanic habitats for fishing, oil and gas, energy, tourism, education and research has naturally generated significant capital returns. This has resulted in increased competition over ocean and coastal resources. Irrational exploitation of natural resources has crossed the sustainable levels and even leads to extermination of a number of species of plants and animals. If this state of over exploitation is allowed to continue, our country may lose more species in the immediate future. Hence, the present survey was undertaken to inventories the fauna present in the region, Palk Bay. The outcome of the study may help management in a long-term basis.