C. MARINE CATEGORIES

1.Important Marine Biodiversity Areas (IMBAs)

Important Marine Biodiversity Areas (IMBAs) are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine biodiversity, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. IMBAs consist of areas that may merit place-based protection and/or monitoring.
‘Important’ in the context of the IMBA classification refers to any perceivable value, which extends to the marine species within the IMBA, to improve the conservation status of those species or populations of interest.

Specific guidelines:

IMBA existing outside PAs (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserved forests, etc.) qualify as OECMs.
IMBA existing outside ‘Designated Area’ for marine protection under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act (Maritime Zones Act), 1976 qualify as OECMs.
Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs)or Important Bird Area (IBA) or Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) that are outside ‘Designated Area’ (Maritime Zones Act), 1976 qualify as OECMs as IMBA. Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. IMMAs are identified to prioritise their consideration for conservation measures by governments, intergovernmental organisations, conservation groups, and the general public. The IMMA Initiative is a major activity of the Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, created in 2013 by the International Committee on Marine Mammal Protected Areas (ICMMPA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Marine Vice Chair, and members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). ] or Important Bird Area (IBA) or Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA)
IMBA should serve as site for marine biodiversity conservation reserve.
IMBA should have been managed for long duration for delivering effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity and ecological services to the nation.
IMBA can cover marine islands and reefs.

2.Ecologically/Culturally/Internationally Significant Coastal & Marine Areas (ECISCMA)

ECISCMAs are those coastal and marine areas which have been identified as aesthetic, historic, archaeological, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. This will also include the submerged archaeological heritage sites in the country.

Specific guidelines:

Only those coastal and marine areas will qualify as OECMs which have not been recognized as PAs.
ECISCMAs should have been managed for long duration for delivering effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity.