Move afoot to conserve bio-resources at St Mary's Island

MANGALORE: The Karnataka Biodiversity Board, which initiated conservation of bio-resources at Nethrani Island near Honnavar, is contemplating focusing on St Mary's Island in Udupi district.
The board will conduct a study to ascertain the bio resources in the Island and preserve them.
"To create an inventory of species and take stock of any damage to ecological system of islands off the coast, the board will carry out a survey of flora and marine species around the island after monsoon," said board member secretary RK Singh.
He said a biodiversity research will be conducted at St Mary's Island on lines of the studies conducted in Netrani Islands of Uttara Kannada district.
He said the survey for research purposes will not hinder tourism activities in the island which attracts a large number of tourists from various places of the country and abroad every year.
"Whatever the resources are there in and around the Island should be sustained. The mantra of the board is sustainability and conservation of bio resources," he said.
Talking about the biodiversity research carried out in Netrani Islands, off the coast of Uttara Kannada at the end of last year, Singh said, "Since the high court ordered a stay on the Navy from using the island for target practice, we have observed fresh coral growth on the island."
The major focus of the board will be on conservation of islands and protection of estuaries in the coastal region, he said, adding that most of the bio-diversity spots are not being managed properly.