Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor National Park) (18010)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor National Park)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.4917, Longitude: 92.6333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 85
Area of KBA (km2): 29.43242
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, earlier called Wandoor National Park, stretches over 15 islands and islets in the Labyrinth Island group. Its boundaries run across the coast as well as inland. The Park encompasses a stretch of marine waters, with lush vegetated islands, vast coral reefs and beaches. Proximity to the equator ensures a hot, humid and uniform climate (Pande et al. 1991). The area receives rainfall from both the southwest and northeast monsoon. Maximum precipitation is between May and December, the driest period being between January and April. The flora is also extremely diverse, including stretches of protected mangrove forest that are among the largest in India (Pande et al. 1991).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: A scientific checklist of the birds of this National Park is not available, but Restricted Range (endemic) species are present in the Park (K. Sivakumar pers. comm. 2003). Stattersfield et al. (1998) have identified 13 species from Andaman Endemic Bird Area. Except for the Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami, which is confined to Narcondam Island, 11 of these Restricted Range species are found in this IBA. Moreover, most of the endemic subspecies of the Andaman Islands are also reported from here, proving the importance of this site as an IBA. More detailed work is required to assess the full extent of the importance of this site for the over-all protection of birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. OTHER KEY FAUNA: There are no large terrestrial native mammals, but the marine fauna is immensely rich and includes four species of sea turtles, namely Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea, Green Turtle Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea. The Dugong Dugong dugon and the Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus are also present (Pande et al. 1991). There are many other endemic reptiles in Mahatma Gandhi NP which are found in the Andaman Islands, but the following have been specifically recorded from this IBA site: Andamanese Giant Gecko Gekko verreauxi, Andaman Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus rubidus, Tytler’s Grass Skink Mabuya tytleri, Andaman Cobra Naja sagittifera and Anderson’s Pit Viper Cryptelytrops andersoni (Anon. 2001).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Infrastructure; Tourism; Urbanisation. Proximity to Port Blair and accessibility to both Indian and foreign tourists and a concentration of settlements along its borders have resulted in considerable recent disturbance (Pande et al. 1991). Siltation caused by inland forestry operations in Rutland Island which borders the Park, is affecting the coral reefs (Andrews and Sankaran 2002).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Soil erosion, sedimentation | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Andrews, H. V. and Sankaran, V. (ed) (2002) Sustainable management of Protected Areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ANET, IIPA and FFI, New Delhi. Pp 90-91. Anonymous (2001) Reptile CAMP Handbook. Vol. I. Reptiles endemic to India. South Asian Reptile Network, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Pande, P., Kothari, A. and Singh, S. (1991) Directory of National Parks and Sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Management status and profiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.