Abstract Summary
St Martin’s Island is the only coral habitat in Bangladesh marine water. There are 66 known coral species under 22 genera and 15 sclerectinian coral families. During the last decade tourism spread all over the north zone of the island and in winter month’s mass tourism hampers the coral growth through plastic pollution and sedimentation in the water. Although several GOB projects completed in the last 20 years the degradation of habitat prevails due to lack of essential activities needed for the coral restoration. The research organization Marinelife Alliance(MLA) took initiative for field intervention in addition to awareness during 2015 through the development of Locally Managed Marine Area(LMMA). The major western nearshore area is less used by local community. and since the habitat is less accessible for boat anchoring and fishing it is easily agreed by people to keep as no take zone. MLA conducting all possible activities for the long time restoration of the habitat and its coral coverage expansion, viz., coral plantation through coral frame with steel structure, direct plantation on solid bed rock, installation of mooring buoys, removal of unwanted trashes, mining prohibition, and prohibition of other physical damage conducted by tourist on the intertidal coral habitat. The program MLA is conducting with the partnership of Bangladesh Department of Environment.
