Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch

Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch
IUCN category II (national park)
During the low tide, the sea falls back miles and the hidden sea floor is revealed
Marine National Park
Location	Gulf of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat, India
Nearest city	Jamnagar
Coordinates	22°28′N 69°37′E / 22.467°N 69.617°E / 22.467; 69.617
Area	162.89 km2 (62.89 sq mi)
Established	1982
Governing body	Forest Department of Gujarat

Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat state, India. In 1980, an area of 270 km² from Okha to Jodiya was declared Marine Sanctuary. Later, in 1982, a core area of 110 km² was declared Marine National Park under the provisions of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 of India. There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, most of them surrounded by reefs. The best-known island is Pirotan.^[1] The park protects two major ecosystems, corals and mangroves.^[2]