The first marine sanctuary in India, having within its bounds coral reefs, mollusca, dolphins, tortoises and various kinds of sea birds, has been established in

The Gulf of Kachchh (Gulf of Kutch) is recognised as India’s first protected marine area that includes coral reefs, molluscs, dolphins, tortoises and various sea‑birds within its bounds. Educational and reference sources identify the Gulf of Kachchh as the first marine sanctuary with this characteristic assemblage of marine life. Historical notifications show a marine sanctuary declared in the Okha–Jodiya stretch in 1980, with a core Marine National Park notified subsequently in 1982, underlining its primacy among Indian marine protected areas. Authoritative compilations of Marine Protected Areas in India also list the Gulf of Kachchh among the earliest MPAs (Marine National Park and Sanctuary) safeguarding corals and associated fauna [1].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Marine protected Area > p. 33