Mangaluru: In a bid to conserve the aquatic biodiversity of the Arabian Sea, which is as important as the eco-sensitive biodiversity of the Western Ghats, Rs. 13 Crore has been sanctioned for the coastal areas. Mangaluru Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. Dinesh Kumar Y. K. said that a dolphin rescue centre too will be set up.

He was speaking at a press interaction programme organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists’ Association Press Club here in the city on Monday May 30. There are 3680 species of fish in the sea. About 15 per cent of its population is in the three Coastal Districts of the State. Of these, 74 species have been identified as approved. He said a proposal for setting up a conservation centre has been submitted to the Central Government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown interest in giving it a priority.

The main office of the Dolphin Conservation Centre will be set up at Tannirbhavi in the City. The aim is to create awareness about the fish, protect and treat them in case they fall on shore along with required instructions to release them back into the sea if they fall into the trap of fishermen, and support those who have been released into the sea, he added.