Coral are one of the most loved and most highly valued species on the planet. They are culturally, scientifically, and economically important to people all over the world. The Indian Ocean plays host to more than 300 types of coral reefs including India’s enormous coastline. India is the third-largest sea-based ecosystem, with 8% of the world’s fresh and 26% of the marine life. Of this, 74% of the coastline is a coastal forest with 4% covered by coral reef areas. Coral reefs in India have a historical significance and are becoming increasingly important for the marine ecosystem. However, India is still mostly uninhabited and the extent to which it encompasses these unique marine habitats is very much unknown.

Coral reefs in Kerala

The Indian state of Kerala is dotted with the world’s largest collection of wild and coral reefs. Most people from the region visit these spectacular sites only once in a lifetime. The second largest group consists of tourists who come here for just a week and spend most of their time at one of the local coastal resorts or hotels.

Coral reefs in Goa

The coral reefs of Hoysu Beach, Goa, have a special place in the hearts of people. The natural wonder is so vast that it is home to numerous species of fishes. The massive coral reef stretches for 28 miles along its southern and eastern coasts. It reaches its peak at 12 kilometers in width. This is why many tourists come to explore and enjoy it for joyful moments.

Coral reefs in other states in India

India is second only to the US in terms of biodiversity. It is home to over 600 types of marine species, most appearing in the deep sea around 800 feet down. Corals grow to an incredible huge size and make up the largest animal group in the world. Most reefs are found in India’s four coastal states: Kerala, Delhi, Goa, and Karnataka.

Coral reefs are one of the most visible features in our oceans and have a major impact on marine life. They are home to unique species of fish and marine mammals like whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and crabs. They filter nutrients and produce a habitat for hundreds of thousands of animals. Most well-known for their bright colours and intricate patterns, corals are found on the ocean floor from Morocco to Australia and are mostly protected by Parks India. Here is a list of 13 of the most famous coral reefs in India.

A fascinating and fascinating animal in the Indian Ocean is very rarely studied either in-depth or extensively. India has over 2,000 species of corals, of which about 1,000 are considered vulnerable to degradation. Without the marine life that grows on and along these reefs our lives could not be possible. As a favour to wildlife lovers, we were given a rare opportunity — to capture gorgeous close-up images of various corals living along India’s coastline.

On the tectonic plates of the Indian Ocean, there are magnificent and astonishingly intricate coral reefs. An astounding 3200 species of beautiful Indo-Pacific corals live in these amazing marine habitats. According to a recent survey, India has the fourth-largest iron oxide reserves in the world.

The Indian Ocean is considered to be the most productive coral reef system on Earth, with up to 300 types of coral species. Though India’s coastal regions are well-known for these magnificent corals, due to poor land-use planning, pollution, and climate change, most tourists don’t come here for the marine life.

World Heritage coral reefs

Coral reefs in India – classified as “of international importance” by UNESCO in 2008, are home to a diverse range of marine species, including over 1,000 species of fish and 13% of all recorded species of coral or reef fish in the ocean. This diverse ecosystem is also home to an incredible array of fish species belonging to over 100 families and more than 60 genera. The World Heritage coral reefs in India belong to the marine park of National Marine Park (NMPA) and in its extensive area, there are more than 40 types of corals found.

There is much need to protect those marvelous coral reefs of the world which have a huge historical value as well as a present-day worth. As one of the world’s largest consumers of corals, India is anxious to promote and conserve its beautiful marine life. There are specific efforts made by various NGOs in India towards this end. Today India is home to one of the largest and most important marine ecosystems on the planet. Coral reefs cover about 66% of the Indian sea surface and provide an ecosystem of diverse habitats including low-lying coral islands, coral reefs, and mangroves. As a result of human activity, these marine ecosystems have been devastated. Around 80% of the world’s coral reefs are threatened with loss of habitat, pollution, and over-fishing.

Exploiting corals is not a new thing, but what makes this area special is the number of tourists who visit it. Such is their fascination with the sea creatures that they pay thousands of dollars to swim with them. The people at Bali Zakalu offer tours (in English) to different parts of the reef with reefers who have made their mark by taking care of this natural wonder of the seas.

Categories: Environment and Ecology

Tags: Coral Reef, Environment