Researchers Identify 550 Marine Species From Intertidal Zones In Coastal Areas

Wildlife researchers from the Pune-based Ecological Society in association with the Centre for Sustainable Development, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (CSD-GIPE), have identified 550 marine species from intertidal zones in the coastal areas of Maharashtra.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE:

The one-year-long 'Coastal Project 2.0' conducted between June 2023 and December 2024 also identified 25 undescribed and newly-sighted species, highlighting the need for species-based research in coastal areas of the state.

The study - a comprehensive study of the flora and fauna of the Konkan coast, and the social use of natural resources in coastal towns and villages - was carried out at 25 select beaches in the coastal areas of Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.

The first-ever presentation on this ongoing project was held at the Sagar Mahostav programme organised by the Aasamant Foundation in Ratnagiri between January 9 and 12.

A similar project was undertaken by Prakash Gole, wildlife researcher and founder of the Ecological Society, in 1997 wherein he studied the marine biodiversity of 92 beaches in the coastal areas of Maharashtra.

The difference this time was that the researchers not only studied the biodiversity but also the socio-economic impact of the natural resources. Hence the number of beaches studied was reduced to 25.