Marine National Park(Gulf of Kutch)

Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch, near Jamnagar, Gujarat, is India's first marine wildlife sanctuary established in 1980 and declared a national park in 1982. It covers about 163 square kilometers of protected area within a larger marine sanctuary of 458 square kilometers and comprises an archipelago of 42 tropical islands surrounded by coral reefs and mangrove forests.

The park is famous for its diverse marine life including 31 species of corals, colorful sponges, jellyfish, sea horses, octopuses, starfish, various crustaceans, endangered sea turtles, dolphins, and sea snakes. Its intertidal zone, exposed during low tide, allows visitors to explore vibrant coral and marine ecosystems easily without deep-sea diving. The park also supports about 90 species of birds, making it a rich site for both marine biodiversity and birdwatching.

Environmental threats like coral extraction, water pollution, and mechanized fishing pose challenges to its ecosystem. The best time to visit is from October to March when low tides reveal much of the marine habitat, ideal for eco-tourism activities such as intertidal walks and boat rides. The park’s unique ecosystem and scenic islands make it a significant natural heritage and popular destination for nature lovers and researchers alike.