Disturbance and Biodiversity of Marine Protected Areas

The conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components are the major objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). To achieve these objectives, many marine protected areas (MPAs) were identified and developed. The success of these protected areas depends upon several factors of local concern. The failure of coastal and marine biodiversity protection was mainly caused by the environmental changes influenced by anthropogenic activities, overexploitation of resources, habitat loss because of developmental activities, and natural change in climate. This chapter highlights the status of these activities in the island environment and provides potential strategies for its protection by mainstreaming biodiversity with people’s participation.

Keywords: Marine Protected Areas, Mainstreaming, Biodiversity, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.