Ecologically Important Areas of Maharashtra Coast
Ratnagiri

Home Introduction Objectives Methodology Ecologically Important Areas Information in Detail	Ratnagiri:      The Ratnagiri city is located on the west coast of India, bound by Arabian sea. Its latitude and longitude is 16°15'00''- 17°05'00''N and 73°15'30''- 73°22'30''E respectively. Over 85% of the land is hilly. The outstanding feature in the relief of the district is its highly uneven nature and very narrow reverie plains that fringe the coastline. The predominant soils in the district are laterite soils. The Ranpur jetty and Bhagwati Bandar ports are the important ports. Bhagwati Bandar breakwaters are present along the White Sea beach. The change in the sea level is negligible. Patchy reefs are present near Ratnagiri. From the satellite imagery, the corals are found to be in inter tidal area and occasionally at sub tidal depths. However, mangroves, coral reefs and sea grasses are absent within 10 km range. No coral mining has been found. Saltpans are absent. Aquaculture is not practiced within 10 km range. No erosion or accretion has been reported. The important wetland classes in Ratnagiri are represented in Table 2. Table 2: Wetland classes and its areal extent of Ratnagiri SNo Wetland classes Area in Km2 01 Mangrove 0.36 02 Mud Flat 5.6 03 Sandy area 5.9 04 Rocky Coast 0.27 05 Salt Marsh 0.87 06 Other Vegetation 0.64 Historical Importance:      Maharaja Bhoj built Ratnadurg fort. The Ratnadurg fort, Bhagwati Bandar port and Bhagwati Devi temple are the famous historical sites in Ratnagiri. The Ratnadurg fort was partly demolished and the land was reclaimed to build Bhagwati Bandar port some 20 to 25 years ago. Ecological Importance:      The growth of Ipomea biloba was extensive on the sand dunes near the shore. Cyanodon dactylon , a graminae member was also found growing luxuriously along with Ipomea biloba. Casuarina equisitifolia plantation is also seen along the white sea beach. Fauna:      Birds in the estuary include egrets, herons, sandpipers, plovers, oyster catchers, kingfishers, lapwings, stilts and moorhens. Fish species include Ambasis Gumnocephalus, Batrachus grunniens, Caranx boops, Chateossus nasus, Chorinemus toloo, Chrysophrys haffara, Echeneis naucratus, Equula dussumieri, E.fasciata, Gerres poeti, Gobius criniger, Hippocampus guttulatus, Mugil carinatus, Platycephalus macracanthus, Naucratus doctor, and Sardinella melanura. Flora:       Woody mangroves cover the area. The dominant species are Rhizophora mucronata, R.apiculata, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia officinalis, A.marina, Ceriops tagal, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Excoecaria agallocha. The subdominants are: Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia candel, Lumnitzera racemosa, and Derris heterophylla. Acanthus ilicifolius helps as a biomonitor of sewage pollution. Rhizophora apiculata is found only along Bhatye estuary (Kajvi river). There are a total of 28 mangrove species, including mangrove associates. Economical Importance:      Fishing is the main economical activity. Ratnagiri is an important fishing center. Extensive fishing activities are carried out along the coast up to 65 km from the coast during nine months from September to May.  Coastal Protection Measures:      Plantation and re-plantation of Casuarina equisitifolia is one of noticeable coastal protection measures taken here.  Nature of ecosystem:       Ratnagiri has a sandy coast. It has white sea beach with sand dunes and black sea beach without sand dunes. The coast is rocky near Ratnadurg Fort. Shore line changes:      No changes within 10 km distance along the shore. The sea level changes are negligible. Industries:       Narmada cement factory, Naik Ice and cold storage plant, Finolex (PVC) plant and fish crushing plant are some of the noted industries in coastal zone. The conveyor belt of Narmada cement factory is installed near the Bhagwati Bandar Port. Power plants are absent. Waterways(rivers /estuaries):      Mirya creek (white sea) with mangrove and Rajivda creek (black sea) acts as waterways for barges, launches and boats. Lakes, estuaries, backwaters are absent. Population:      As per 1991 census, the population of Ratnagiri is 56,529. Literates are more in men than in Women.      Tourism:      Beaches, Bhagwati temple, Ratnadurg Fort, Beach resort at Rajivda creek are some of the tourism related sites. Contact sports are not present here. Pollution:      The estimated quantity of domestic sewage from point and non-point sources is 3600 m3/d. Nearly 3028 m3/d of industrial organic wastes are discharged. There is no solid waste disposal. The fish crushing plant discharges waste water into the open sea.
	Home | Introduction | Objectives | Methodology | EI Areas | Info in Detail