Environment

This project aims to restore and rehabilitate corals in the Andaman Islands and actively create conditions for corals to thrive. 75% of the world’s coral reefs are classified as ‘threatened’ and are likely to be the first eco-systemic victims to global warming, fossil fuel emissions, and deforestation of mangroves. Though coral reefs occupy only 0.02% of the ocean’s surface, they contain about one-third of all marine life. The loss of coral reefs could have catastrophic impacts on the marine biodiversity. While the international community comes together to combat fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions, we believe it is imperative to protect and rehabilitate corals at a local level too.

GMM Pfaudler has contributed to the conservation programme that restores coral reefs in India by:

Re(ef)Build - Setting up artificial reefs with mineral accretion technology. This involves rescuing broken coral fragments around a coral reef and attaching them on to metal frames designed to replicate reef structure placed in the water. The mineral accretion device is set up by giving the structure a low electric current through floating solar panels allowing corals to grow faster by the process of electrolysis. Re(ef)Grow – Growing genetically stronger and more resilient corals in a lab set up to transplant onto the artificial reefs. This involves collecting small amounts of coral spawn (gametes) from healthy, resilient coral colonies, fertilizing them and growing them in labs to then transplant them back into the ocean.

Karnataka has a coastline of about 320 kilometres and is one of 9 coastal states and 4 Union territories that form the coast of India with several resident and transient species of Marine Megafauna, including several endangered and vulnerable species, such as Sea Turtles, Dolphins, and Whales.

ReefWatch saw a need for reporting cases of stranded Megafauna on the Karnataka coast, as well as building awareness towards marine conservation along the coast of India. Strandings are events where marine animals are found either dead or alive on shore and are unable to return to the water, and usually require both medical and physical assistance to be moved back.

The Karnataka Marine Conservation Project was thus established to work towards awareness-raising and conservation of Marine Habitats across the coast of Karnataka.

GMM Pfaudler has partnered with Sardar Patel Charitable Trust to promote Environmental Sustainability in our local area by maintaining the public facilities at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial and Veer Vithalbhai Patel Memorial at Karamsad, Gujarat (“The Memorial”). The Sardar Patel Charitable Trust plays an active role in the beautification of the local area by maintaining the gardens and cleanliness of the Memorial.