The management plan is prepared for the establishment and the first five year management of the proposed ‘Agatti Conservation Reserve’ in Agatti, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. The proposed new 10 km2 (1,000 ha) Marine Protected Area (MPA) – is expected to be the first community-based – comanaged – marine conservation reserve in India. The management plan is recommended as a short-medium term adaptation mechanism to climate change. The goal is to conserve a vulnerable and representative coral reef ecosystem – including two globally threatened and conservation dependent giant clam species (Tridacna maxima, T. squamosa) – while making sure the island’s community meets its needs by sustainable use of the conservation reserve’s ecosystem goods and services. The three most severe threats to the conservation and cultural values of the proposed ‘Agatti Conservation Reserve’ are climate change, over-fishing and pollution. Climate change is expected to have the most adverse impacts. In addition to climate change, local pressures, especially over-fishing of bait fish stocks for pole and line tuna fishing, and pollution represent the most immediate threats to the proposed reserve’s natural values and people’s livelihood. The ‘Agatti Conservation Reserve’ is recommended to adopt a co-management approach, encouraged and supported by the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Amendment, 2002). According to co-management principles management plans, decisions and implementation measures are jointly made by government representatives – at island and state government level – and local community members. The current management plan is for a period of five years: 2008-2013. Annual reviews are recommended for effective management.