Why is Lakshadweep dying?

Many of the islands in Lakshadweep are facing critical erosion due to a variety of factors. “The removal of coral reef for construction and other purposes and the dredging of navigational channels in the lagoons are major causes for the erosion,” says R.M. Hidayathulla.

Are there coral reefs in Lakshadweep?

All Lakshadweep islands are of coral origin and some of them like Minicoy, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kiltan and Chetlat are typical atolls. The coral reefs of the islands are mainly atolls except one platform reef of Androth. The height of the land above the sea level is about 1-2 metres.

Are coral reefs found in Andaman and Nicobar islands?

Coral reefs are stretched over an area of 11,000 sq km in the Andamans while the Nicobars have 2,700 sq km under coral reefs. The ANI have fringing reefs around east coast and a long barrier reef (320 km) on the west.

Which type of coral reefs are majorly found in Lakshadweep Islands?

While the Lakshadweep reefs are atolls, the others are all fringing reefs.

Does India have coral reefs?

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. While the Lakshadweep reefs are atolls, the others are all fringing reefs. Patchy coral is present in the inter-tidal areas of the central west coast of the country.

Why are Andaman and Nicobar islands called coral islands?

Explanation: 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. While the Lakshadweep reefs are atolls, the others are all fringing reefs.

How many coral islands are there in Lakshadweep Islands?

Of the 36 islands that comprise Lakshadweep, only 11 are inhabited, and most of the rest are just sand bars, atolls or submerged reefs. The coral was born millennia ago, when life forms first swarmed on the peaks of underwater volcanoes, and slowly grew into small and large islands.

What kind of corals are found in Andaman and Nicobar islands?

The common genera contributing to the reef formation are Acropora, Montipora, Pocillopora, Porites, Goniopora, Favia, Fungia, Millepora, Soft Coral (Sarcophyton sp.) Heliopora etc., A notable feature of these islands is the abundance of non-scleractinian (soft) corals at certain localities.

Are all corals banned in India?

Corals are schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, meaning corals have the same protection as that of a tiger or a leopard. “The collection of these species, dead or alive, is completely banned under Indian laws. They can neither be exported nor imported.

What kind of corals are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

How are coral reefs dying?

At present, coral reefs are facing multiple stresses such as pollution, overfishing, and, overall, the ongoing climate change―consequently raising sea water temperatures and causing coral bleaching worldwide. This event has caused a mass die-off of corals; for example along the Great Barrier Reef.