Angria Bank
Encyclopedia
Angria Bank is a bank
, a shallow sunken atoll
, on the continental shelf
off the west coast of India
. It is located 105 km (65 mi) west of Vijaydurg
, Maharashtra
.
The bank is at a depth of 20.1 metres and its dimensions are 40 km (25 mi) from north to south and 15 km (9 mi) from east to west. It is a coral habitat
. The bottom is composed of sand, shells, and coral. The bank is steep-to on all sides, with great depths surrounding it.
, Maharashtra
. In 2008, Maharashtra
state Finance Minister Jayant Patil
announced a Rs
5 crore
initiative to explore Angria Bank to determine the feasibility of further marine tourism in the area. The expectation is that the extensive coral reef that may provide habitat for variety of fishes could make area one of India's best recreational diving
destinations. Recently, it was appeared in national news paper that Dr. Sarang Kulkarni, renowned marine biologist
and underwater explorer of India had conducted expedition to Angria Bank with the help of Government of Maharashtra and Government of India. Reportedly he has discovered largest submerged coral reef of India. Surprisingly, the existence of this coral reef area was never touched the mind of Indian scientists. Dr. Sarang Kulkarni has become the first scientist in the world to study this unexplored reef underwater with his team. His report is expected to throw light on the composition of the reef and its conservation value.
Bank (topography)
A bank, sometimes referred to as a fishing bank, is an area on the continental shelf which is shallow compared to its surrounding area, such as a shoal or the top of an underwater hill. Somewhat like continental slopes, ocean banks slopes can upwell as tidal and other flows intercept them,...
, a shallow sunken atoll
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
, on the continental shelf
Continental shelf
The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent and associated coastal plain. Much of the shelf was exposed during glacial periods, but is now submerged under relatively shallow seas and gulfs, and was similarly submerged during other interglacial periods. The continental margin,...
off the west coast of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is located 105 km (65 mi) west of Vijaydurg
Vijaydurg
Vijaydurg may refer to:* Vijaydurg * Vijaydurg fort...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.
The bank is at a depth of 20.1 metres and its dimensions are 40 km (25 mi) from north to south and 15 km (9 mi) from east to west. It is a coral habitat
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
. The bottom is composed of sand, shells, and coral. The bank is steep-to on all sides, with great depths surrounding it.
Tourism
, Angria Bank is accessible by tourists by a two hour boat ride from MalvanMalvan
Malvan is a town in Sindhudurg District, the southernmost district of Maharashtra. This culturally and historically important town is a Taluka place in Sindhudurg District...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. In 2008, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state Finance Minister Jayant Patil
Jayant Patil
Jayant Patil is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra. He is the current Cabinet Minister of Rural Development in the state of Maharashtra in Western India.Patil has a B.E. in Civil Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai...
announced a Rs
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
5 crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
initiative to explore Angria Bank to determine the feasibility of further marine tourism in the area. The expectation is that the extensive coral reef that may provide habitat for variety of fishes could make area one of India's best recreational diving
Recreational diving
Recreational diving or sport diving is a type of diving that uses SCUBA equipment for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment. In some diving circles, the term "recreational diving" is used in contradistinction to "technical diving", a more demanding aspect of the sport which requires greater levels...
destinations. Recently, it was appeared in national news paper that Dr. Sarang Kulkarni, renowned marine biologist
and underwater explorer of India had conducted expedition to Angria Bank with the help of Government of Maharashtra and Government of India. Reportedly he has discovered largest submerged coral reef of India. Surprisingly, the existence of this coral reef area was never touched the mind of Indian scientists. Dr. Sarang Kulkarni has become the first scientist in the world to study this unexplored reef underwater with his team. His report is expected to throw light on the composition of the reef and its conservation value.
Further reading
- William Henry Rosser, James Frederick Imray. The Seaman's Guide to the Navigation of the Indian Ocean and China Sea Including a Description of the Wind, Storms, Tides, Currents, &c., Sailing Directions; a Full Account of All the Islands; with Notes on Making Passages During the Different Seasons. J. Imray & Son, 1867. p. 412.
- Alfred Dundas Taylor, James Horsburgh. The India directory, for the guidance of commanders of steamers and sailing vessels, founded upon the work of J. Horsburgh. W.H. Allen & Co., 1874. p. 299.