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.