OMCAR PALK BAY Centre

14/04/2026

Observing the flowering of Enhalus acoroides during the Tamil New Year season is not just a visual experience, it is a reminder of the remarkable ecological role these seagrasses play. These meadows serve as critical habitats for a wide range of marine life. Species such as dugongs and sea turtles depend directly on seagrass as a food source, while juvenile fishes, molluscs, and many invertebrates use these areas as safe nursery grounds. By supporting early life stages of marine organisms, seagrass beds indirectly sustain coastal fisheries and livelihoods. In addition, they act as natural barriers, reducing wave energy, stabilising sediments, and protecting shorelines from erosion.

Equally important is their role in climate regulation through blue carbon storage. Enhalus acoroides and other seagrasses capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it efficiently in their biomass and underlying sediments for long periods. This makes them one of the most effective natural systems for carbon sequestration. They also improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, thereby maintaining ecological balance in coastal ecosystems. Protecting and understanding these systems is not just about conserving biodiversity, it is about securing climate resilience and the future of coastal communities.

06/04/2026

Marine Conservation Leadership Programme 2026 (no fee).
Apply immediately... Scan the QR code

06/04/2026

Apply using QR code in the poster below

OMCAR Foundation was started in 2007 with a vision to serve for conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems of Palk Bay.

25/03/2026

Drone footage shows the Sea Cow in Palk Bay (Dugong Conservation Reserve)- Aug 2025. Drone pilot: Balaji Vedharajan
Video courtesy : Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Pudukkottai Forest Division, Aranthangi Range. Thanks to Mr. Manivenkatesh, FRO, Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District.

25/03/2026

Our sea is not only about dugongs, it is full of many small and unnoticed marine life.

This small sea snail I observed was found in seagrass beds.

It is the same organism that lives in the empty shells we often collect along the shore.
At first glance, it just looks like a lump of sand and algae.
But when you look closely through a macro photo,
you can see its tiny eyes peeping out, almost like cartoon characters.

This belongs to the family Strombidae, commonly known as the Dog Conch (Laevistrombus canarium).

It has well-developed eyes at the tip of long stalks.
With cornea, lens and retina, it is able to sense its surroundings clearly and watch for predators.

The layer of sand and algae on its body helps it stay hidden on the seafloor.

One interesting thing,
it does not crawl like normal snails.
It moves by making small jumps using its foot and operculum.

Even a small organism like this carries such unique adaptations,
reminding us how rich and detailed our marine ecosystems are.

18/03/2026

On March 17, Dr. U. Utthamapandian (Director of OMCAR Foundation – Research and Education) delivered a guest session on 'Seagrass and Mangrove Restoration for developing Climate Resilient Coastal Ecosystems'. The session was interactive, with students engaging in discussions and seeking clarifications on restoration processes.

Dr. Prakash Sanjeevi, Associate Professor, and Dr. Amit Kumar, Associate Professor, Sathiyabama University present and honoured Dr. Utthamapandian with a shield.

This event is a part of skill Enhancement Program on Marine Biology, Climate Change, Aquaculture, and Entrepreneurship is being conducted at Hotel Alayam, Rameswaram, from March 16–20, 2026.

The program, organized by Centre for climate change studies- Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, supported by ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Kochi, involves undergraduate and postgraduate students of Marine Biology undergoing field-based training.

04/03/2026

20 students from Annamalai University's Green Skill Development Programme visited OMCAR Palk Bay Centre, accompanied by Dr.S. Bragadeeswaran, Professor, CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, and Mr Subramaniyan. Dr Utthamapandian, Director, OMCAR Foundation, delivered a presentation on the vision and mission of OMCAR Foundation, highlighting the ecological importance of dugongs in Palk Bay. Mrs Ananthi, Deputy Director, OMCAR Foundation, presented an overview of the seagrass ecosystem and the threats it faces. The students were also given a demonstration of marine research equipment and visited the OMCAR Palk Bay Museum to explore the biodiversity of Palk Bay.

04/03/2026

World Seagrass Day was celebrated at Govt Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Pattukkottai, with 50 students and teachers. The event was jointly organised by Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Pattukkottai Forest Range, and OMCAR Foundation. Mr Rajkumar, Forester, highlighted the importance of seagrass. Mrs Ananthi, Deputy Director, OMCAR Foundation, delivered a presentation about seagrass ecosystem and dugong conservation. Forest staffs and OMCAR team facilitated the programme.

03/03/2026

Advancing Coastal Stewardship in India: School-Based Mangrove Nursery Education in Tamil Nadu

https://engage.iucn.org/topic/advancing-coastal-stewardship-india-school-based-mangrove-nursery-education-tamil-nadu

01/03/2026

28/02/2026

On 27th February, 47 students from Govt Higher Secondary School, Thambikottai Vadakadu, visited OMCAR Palk Bay Centre with their teachers, Mr.S.Kamalakannan and Ms.P.Sangeetha. Mrs.P.Ananthi, Deputy Director, OMCAR Foundation, gave them a presentation on seagrass and its ecological importance, and the status of dugongs. Dr Utthamapandian, Director, OMCAR Foundation, demonstrated the marine research equipment and SCUBA diving gear, explaining how they're used for marine research. The students visited the OMCAR Palk Bay Centre Museum to explore Palk Bay's biodiversity.