• About Coral Reefs
  • What Are Coral Reefs?
  • Benefits of Coral Reefs
  • Status of and Threat to Coral Reefs
  • Cold Water Reefs
  • Links
• About IYOR
  • Key Background Documents
  • IYOR Ad Hoc Committee
  • Focal Points
  • Sponsors
• News & Events
  • Events Calendar
  • Latest News
  • Press Center
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • IYOR in the News
  • Archive
• IYOR Resources
  • Key Background Documents
  • Educational Materials
  • IYOR 2008 Logo
  • Tips to Protect Coral Reefs
  • Friends of IYOR 2008
• Get Involved
  • Register your IYOR 2008 Activity
  • What Can You Do?
  • Activity and Event Ideas
  • Contests
• Contact IYOR

South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF)

Contact

Dr. Boaz
Director General
South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP)
Member Secretary SACRTF
#10, Anderson Road, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
E-mail: draboaz@yahoo.com
Web site: www.sacep.org

The South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) was estsblished to facilitate the implementation of regional and international initiatives in the management of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, and to promote collaborative action, and transboundary responses to shared environmental challenges. The South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) was endorsed by the following governments: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan & Sri Lanka, at the Governing Council Meeting of the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) in Nepal, in January 2007. The SACRTF was formally launched in July 2007 by H.E. Ahmed Abdullah, Minister of Environment, Water & Energy from Maldives and current chairman, South Asian Seas Programme. The first meeting of the Task Force was held in Colombo on 21st December 2007 where the decision was taken to celebrate the IYOR throughout South Asia.

Progress Report

• Launch of the Commemorative First Day Cover to Celebrate International Year of Reef (IYOR) 2008

  SACEP along with South Asia Coral Reef Task Force(SACRTF)released a commemorative First Day Cover Stamp on 25th November 2008 at the Auditorium of the Postal Headquarters, in Colombo Sri Lanka, to celebrate the International Year of Reef (IYOR) 2008.

  The chief guest of the occasion was Hon. Minister Mr.Mahinda Wijesekara, Minister of Posts and Telecommunication, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, Government of Sri Lanka. It was also attended by Hon. Mr.M.S.Sellasamy, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, Mr.K.G.Leelananda, Secretary, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, Mr.M.K.B Dissanayake, Postmaster General.

  The welcome address and the theme introduction of the IYOR 2008 was delivered by Dr. A. A. Boaz, Director General of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). Hon. Minister Mr.Mahinda Wijesekara, Minister of Posts and Telecommunication delivered the keynote address and in his speech while praising the role that SACEP is playing for the conservation efforts of the coral reef and IYOR activities in the region, he also highlighted the importance of preserving this fragile ecosystems as a breeding ground for the fish and other marine species.

  The first day cover was officially stamped by the Hon Minister and was distributed among the distinguished gathering.

  
  IYOR Stamp-First Day Cover

• South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) Second Meeting

  South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) as the Focal Point of IYOR activities in the South Asia Seas, recently concluded the second official meeting of the South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) on 31st of August, 2008 at the conference hall of the Hulhule Island Hotel, Republic of Maldives. Representatives discussed the progress made by Task Force, future work plan, policy and IYOR activities in length.

  Inauguration of the meeting was held at the conference hall of the Hulhule Island Hotel, Republic of Maldives on 30th August, 2008. The Chief Guest was Hon. Mr. Abdul Razzaq Idris, Deputy Minister, of Environment, Energy and Water, Republic of Maldives and the Guest of Honour, Former Vice President International Court of Justice & Hon. Patron of SACRTF Judge C. G. Weeramantry. The meeting was attended by the national members of the South Asia Coral Reef Task Force from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The International Community represented by UNESCO and GEER Foundation, India.

• Sri Lankan cricket star, Mr. Kumar Sangakkara as the IYOR Ambassador

  For the IYOR 2008, Mr. Kumar Sangakkara, famous wicket keeper and batsman of the Sri Lanka Cricket team selected as Brand Ambassador for raising profile of the Coral Reef Task Force and IYOR activities in South Asia.

• Development of IYOR merchandising

  Leaflets, stickers and calendar: production and distribution of leaflets, brochures, stickers and posters to educate the public about the value of coral reef.
  Cups and Tile Coasters

• Coral Reef competition for school students. Encourage the next generation to care about coral reefs -

  To celebrate the IYOR, South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) South Asian Seas (SAS), South Asia Coral Reef Task Force (SACRTF) & Center for Environment Education (CEE) are organizing regional School Essays, posters & paintings Competition among the five maritime nations Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on behalf of the International Year of Reef. The main theme is "Help Conserve Coral Reef in South Asian Region". (See the Annex Leaflet)

• Promotion of the IYOR by linking SACEP web site to the IYOR web site and organization of a Regional beach clean up.
  • Country Governments were asked to contribute to the Beach Cleaning Day as a function of the IYOR on 3rd week of September, 2008 as a Special "Day of the Coral Reef" in 2008 - with the public festival / street parade with a focus on celebrating coral reef. India and Sri Lanka conducted a several campaign ll along the coastline.
  • SACRTF web portal was launched at the 2nd Meeting of the SACRTF on the SACEP website.

• Identification and nomination of important site for coral reef in the Five Maritime Countries in South Asia, and lobby for their protection. Under the Environmental Education Call for Action Grants the following projects are underway.
  • Environmental Education for Conservation of Threatened Coral Resources in the St. Martin's Islands -Department of Environment Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), Bangladesh
  • Awareness Generation Programme for local stakeholders in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman & Nicobar Islands-Department of Environment and Forest, India
  • Building Youth Constituency to Conserve Coral Reef Ecosystem In Maldives' Baa Atoll -Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water, Government of Maldives.
  • Environmental Education Activities with reference in Marine and Costal Protected Area- Sindh Wildlife Department, Pakistan.
  • Development of Capacity of the Department of Wildlife Conservation for the Management of the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary- Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka.

Proposed Activities and Events

• Organize and host a special "Day of the South Asian Coral Reefs" which involves a public level festival / street parade with a focus on celebrating coral reef.
• Invite a celebrity who is interested in coral reefs to be an IYOR ambassador. Use their states to increase public awareness of coral reefs.
• Develop a range of IYOR merchandise such as Calendar, T-shirts, Caps or Drink holders.
• Produce an IYOR stamp.
• Produce Leaflets, Broachers, Pamphlets, Stickers and Posters in native language to educate the public.
• Encourage local journalists to write features about issues important to coral reefs in the media.
• Promote the IYOR by Linking the SACEP web site to the IYOR web site.
• Identify and nominate the sites that are important for coral reefs in South Asian countries and lobby for their protection.
• Develop a code of practice for sustainable tourism - build relationships with Costal resort developers and tourism authorities and encourage them to ensure that their resorts are Coral Reefs.

Member Organizations IYOR planned activities

Country & Site Information	Partner Agency	Proposed Activities
Bangladesh
St. Martin's Island St. Martin's Beach	Ministry of Environment and Forests Department of Environment E-16 Agargan Sher-eBangla Nagar Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh	Activities will be conducted to increase knowledge of St. Martin's Island coral reef ecosystem and the MCPA. Improve knowledge of current and future vulnerability and risk
India
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP), located at Wandoor in South Andaman District of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The total area of MGMNP is 281.5 km2 of which land area is 61.5 km2 and remaining is sea water Andaman Hard Corals (Mahatma Gandhi National Park India)	Ministry of Environment and Forests Department of Environment & Forests Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair 744102 A&N island, India	Educate people through various means of awareness activities about conservation of marine biodiversity and motivate them to support the conservation efforts of the Department through their active involvement.
Maldives
Baa Atoll of the Republic of Maldives which is a country composed entirely of coral reefs. It comprises 26 atolls Ball Reef Project	Ministry of Environment Energy and Water Project Manager Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project Fen Building (3rd Floor) Ameenee Magu Male', Maldives	Building capacity and empowering of young people to be engaged as agents for change to raise awareness on the importance and value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
Pakistan
Jiwani coastal area at Gwater Bay Corals in Costal Area Jiwani	Ministry of Environment Sindh Wildlife Department Karachi, Pakistan	Sampling and identification of corals and other floras and faunas Preparation of Education Materials Production of Documentary Films Development of signboards
Sri Lanka
Bar Reef and Kalpitiya Corals in the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary	Ministry of Environment Department of Wildlife conservation 382 Dilco Court, New Kandy Road Malabe, Sri Lanka	Awareness Programmes Infrastructure Development Capacity Building