Coral reefs in India
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Coral reefs in India are one of the most ancient and dynamic ecosystems of India. The coral reefs not only provide a sanctuary to a myriad of marine life but also play a key role in protecting the coastline from erosion. India has around 8,000 km (5,000 mi) of coastline.
List
- Situated in the Bay of Bengal, exclusively fringing reefs of about 500 islands, most of these islands have a healthy biodiversity.[1]
- Exclusively consists of fringing reefs. The reefs are relatively less developed due to large range of temperature and high salinity. The harbours have less biodiversity. The entire Gulf of Kutch is also known as a marine national park.[2]
- Fringing reefs with a chain of 21 islands from Rameswaram in the north to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in the south. This part of the gulf forms part of the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve.[3]
- Exclusively coral atolls with 36 islands, of which 10 are inhabited. The islands range from less than 1 km (0.62 mi) to about 9 km (5.6 mi) in length, and do not exceed 2 km (1.2 mi) in width.[4]
- Others
- Tarkarli in Malwan, Maharashtra is a smaller reef. Angria Bank is a coral reef off Vijaydurg in Maharashtra. There is a coral reef in Netrani Island in Karnataka.
Gallery
-
Gulf of Kutch on the left; image by NASA Earth Observatory
-
Mannar 79.03963E 9.52009N.jpg
-
Agatthiyatti Stone.jpg
Scene at Lakshadweep Island
-
North Sentinel Island is an island in the group of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
See also
References
Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coral reefs in India. |
- Coral Reefs in India – National Biodiversity Authority of India
- Official website – National Institute of Oceanography
<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>