250kg of debris cleared from Sindhudurg 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.