STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH ASIA: BANGLADESH, INDIA, MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA (original) (raw)

ABSTRACT The major coral reefs in South Asia surround the oceanic islands of Lakshadweep, Maldives, Chagos and the high islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Other extensive reefs are in the Gulf of Mannar region. There are also numerous fringing and patch reefs in India and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, the only coral reefs are around St. Martin’s Island, and there are only scattered reef communities in Pakistan and little available information. Recent surveys indicate that recovery of corals bleached during high water temperatures associated with the 1998 El Niño event is poor. Natural and human disturbances, such as the crown-of-thorns starfish, coral mining, destructive and unmanaged resource harvesting, sedimentation and pollution continue to cause much damage to coral reefs in South Asia and reduce their capacity to recover from the 1998 bleaching event. Capacity for monitoring coral reefs has improved with donor assistance, however there is limited application of monitoring data due to a lack of management mechanisms. In the absence of proper management, the condition of marine protected areas in South Asia has degraded. Several new protected reef areas have recently been declared in the Maldives and another in the Andaman-Nicobar area. This report highlights the increasing population pressures on reef resources, lack of awareness and inadequate capacity for management. Regional and country-specific recommendations towards improved management, conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs in South Asia are identified.

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Status of coral reefs of India

ABSTRACT The major reef formations in India are restricted to the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. Scattered coral growth has also been reported along certain inter-tidal belts and submerged banks both on the east and west coasts of the country. The reefs at present are important to the local community only to the extent of sustenance fishing. Tourism is being developed at some places though local communities do not benefit much from the revenue generated. The health of corals, as deduced from the literature records since 60s has been on steady decline mainly due to stress from anthropogenic pressures and interference. The reef condition is generally poor and declining in near shore waters and areas of high population density. Sedimentation, dredging and coral mining are damaging near shore reefs, while the use of explosives and bottom nets in fishing are damaging off shore reefs in specific sites. The bleaching event of 1998 has been reported to have increased dead coral cover to about 70% in the Gulf of Kachchh, 40-60% in the Gulf of Mannar, 60-80% in Lakshadweep and about 80% (subsequent studies do not confirm this report) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Quantitative data and studies on monitoring health of coral reef are inadequate. However, post-bleaching surveys in Lakshadweep and Gulf of Mannar have shown slow recovery of some of the coral species. Impacts of bleaching on other reef organisms and reef fisheries have not been evaluated. Taking in to consideration ecological and economic significance of coral reefs and the threat perceptions, Government of India has initiated measures for their intensive conservation and management. Present paper deals with ecological status of coral reefs in the country and various national and international initiatives as well as current efforts of Government of India along with gaps and future directions for their conservation and management.

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REVIEW OF CORAL REEFS OF INDIA: DISTRIBUTION, STATUS, RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems of India. The coral reefs not only provide a sanctuary to a myriad of marine life but also play a key role in protecting the coastline from erosion. India has around 8,000 km of coastline. The major reef formations in India are restricted to the Gulf of Mannar, Palk bay, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands. Three major reef types (atoll, fringing and barrier) occur in India. While the Lakshadweep reefs are atolls, the others are all fringing reefs. This article reviews that the status, distribution, research and management of coral reefs in India. In India coral reefs are being damaged and destroyed at an increasing rate. They face a number of worsening anthropogenic threats, including bleaching, destructive fishing practices, pollution and climate change. The Reef condition is generally poor and declining in near shore waters and areas of high population density. Sedimentation, dredging and coral mining are damaging near shore reefs, while the use of explosives and bottom nets in fishing are damaging offshore reefs in specific sites. Although institutions and laws are sufficient in theory to manage and protect the reefs in India, authorities in the field have taken little effective action in implementing these laws.

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Status and review of health of Indian coral reefs

2015

Status of reef health incorporating species-wise cover of scleractinians has been reported covering 61 stations in 29 reef locations of the four major reef regions in India as of March 2011, alongside a review of available reef health data since 1998 until 2011. Coral bleaching has been identified as a major factor determining the live coral cover (in the order high to low impact) in Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar (GOM) and Andaman reefs. Reductions in live cover (from 2010) were observed in Lakshadweep and GOM reefs. Recovery from the bleaching event in 2010 was reported from Andaman, though long-term impacts of bleaching, reef area loss due to seismic up-lift and the 2004-tsunami were observed by the declining trend in reef health. Local scale stressors are more intense in Gulf of Kachchh (GOK) and GOM reefs, however are more chronic in the former, which is reflected in the species composition as stress tolerators (Edinger and Risk 2000) forming the major cover in these reefs. In GOM...

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Of Coral Reefs of India : Distribution , Status , Research and Management

2016

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Spatial inventory and ecological status of coral reefs of the Central Indian Ocean using Resourcesat-1

Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences

Spatial inventory of coral reef habitat at eco-morphological level has been carried out for the Central Indian Ocean (CIO) using Resourcesat-1 satellite data. CIO covers India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory. A comprehensive classification system has been evolved and standardized to map the coral reefs of CIO. Coral reefs of the CIO occupy 18,252.13 sq km area. Maldivian and Indian reefs cover 79.63% (14533.60 sq km) and 13.06% (2383.87 sq km) of CIO reef area respectively. Coral reefs of British Indian Ocean Territory enjoy pristine ecological status among the CIO reefs. In India, Lakshadweep followed by Andaman and Nicobar islands have certain reefs which may be termed as pristine with the rest being in vulnerable condition. Gulf of Kachchh reefs are in degraded condition. Sri Lankan reefs are also in vulnerable condition. Banladesh has a single reef which is in degrading condition. This inventory is the first of its kind providing baseline ...

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Coral reef degradation in the Indian Ocean. Status reports and project presentation 2000

2000

The temperatures of the world's oceans are increasing at an accelerating rate. Recent estimates indicate that the magnitude of these increases might be as much as several degrees over the next century and undoubtedly, the impacts of these changes on the Earth's ecosystems are likely to become increasingly obvious. Coral reefs have already shown dramatic responses to the increasing ocean temperatures.

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