India’s First Largescale Ocean Floor Cleanup in Sindhudurg Coral Reefs
- Seven highly trained scuba divers collected around 250kg of non-biodegradable waste from the seabed in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg coral reefs.
- The initiative’s primary aim is to restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems, led by state agencies and NGOs.
- The acts involved the extraction, bundling, and disposal of discarded or lost nylon fishing nets.
- The initiative was led by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and fisheries department and the fund is also allocated by The Union ministry.
Coral Reefs in India
- Coral reefs are vital for the survival of ocean life and protect coastlines.
- They are formed by coral polyps, tiny sea anemones, and Zooxanthellae algae, which share a symbiotic relationship.
- Coral polyps attach to sedimentary rocks or hard surfaces near coastlines through sedimentation, compaction, cementation, and solidification of their skeletons.
- India has 7,517 km of coastline, with 6,100 km being the mainland coastline.
- Major types of coral reefs in India include fringing, barrier, and atolls.
- Fringing reefs are the most common, evolving near the continent and close to the coastline.
- Barrier reefs are offshore on the continental shelf, usually parallel to the coastline at some distance.
- Atolls are formed on mid-oceanic ridges, surrounded by seas on all four sides and having shallow waters in the center called a lagoon.
Ideal Environmental Conditions for Coral Growth
- Shallow water: Coral reefs thrive in shallow water, ideally no more than 80m from the water surface.
- Semi-hard or hard surface: This is necessary for compaction, cementation, and solidification of coral polyps skeletons.
- Clear water: Coral polyps die in sediment-filled waters and opaque waters due to limited sunlight passage.
- Warm water: Coral reefs thrive in warm oceanic waters, typically on the eastern coasts of continents.
- Saline-filled waters: Mild salinity is crucial for coral polyps’ development, as they extract calcium from the waters.
- Rich supply of nutrients: Coral reefs thrive in sea waters due to the constant supply of rich nutrients.
Importance of Corals to Human and Marine Life
- Corals are crucial for the health of the marine ecosystem.
- They support a wide range of ecosystems, providing a habitat for a variety of fish.
- They are a primary source of food in the marine ecosystem.
Coral Reefs’ Significance and Threats
Coastal Protection:
- Act as a barrier against strong ocean currents and waves.
- Provide a healthy protein source for billions of people.
- Some fishing industries depend on coral reefs and their wildlife.
Medicinal Properties:
- Coral reefs are considered the medicine chests of the sea.
- Some fish that corals attract leave chemical compounds similar to those used in human hospitals.
Meteorology:
- Corals along the north-western coast provide insights into the patterns of Indian monsoons.
Tourism:
- Coral reefs contribute to the gross national product of countries with coral reef industries.
- The value of coral reefs is estimated at $10 billion, with direct economic benefits of approximately $360 million per year.
Treatment Threats:
- Global warming: Rising sea levels and melting glaciers threaten coral ecosystems.
- Coral bleaching: Corals release symbiotic algae when oceans get warmer, leading to their extinction.
- Marine pollution: Plastic pollution and other activities suffocate corals, threatening their survival.
- Stronger storms and ocean acidification: Increased storms and high pH levels weaken coral skeletons and increase vulnerability to diseases.
- Ozone depletion: Rising UV radiation can damage corals in shallow waters.
Indian Laws Protecting Coral Reefs:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ensures proper guidelines and laws are followed.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) of 1991: Marine Resources Protection
- Provides protection to all coral reefs under the CRZ1 category.
- Section 7 (2) prohibits hotels or resorts on coral reefs.
- Mining and quarrying of coral reefs are banned in some states, except for scientific purposes.
- Coral reefs sustain life for over a million years, sustaining marine life.
- Conservation methods should be taken to protect these polyps.
- Laws should be strictly enforced, with swift penalties for non-compliance.
- A pact to protect corals is encouraged.
