Lok Sabha Question No. 4311 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: Protection of Coral Reefs
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4311

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## Protection of Coral Reefs

## 4311. SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the present situation of coral reefs in the country;
- (b) the details of ongoing programmes to protect coral reefs from adverse effects of climate change; and
- (c) the funds allocated for the purpose during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) India  has  a  coastline  of  nearly  8000  km.  The  major  reef  formation  areas  are  primarily four, (i) Gulf of Kutch; (ii) Gulf of Mannar; (iii) Lakshadweep Islands; and (iv) Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The total area of coral reefs in India is estimated to be 2,375 Sq. Km.

As  per  information  provided  by  the  Indian  Space  Research  Organization  (ISRO),  they have carried out a study with satellite derived historical SST (Sea Surface Temperature) data  for  the  major  Indian  coral  reef  regions  (Gulf  of  Kachchh,  Lakshadweep,  Gulf  of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar) and established the warmest months, thermal thresholds and range of positive SST anomalies conducive to coral bleaching events for each of the regions. The ISRO has also developed a Coral Bleaching Monitoring and Alert System for  these  regions  during  Indian  summer  months  and  hosted  on  its  VEDAS  geo-portal (https://vedas.sac.gov.in/vstatic\_1/Coral/ ). In summer 2016, a field validation was carried out at Poshitra reef in Gulf of Kachchh region, following a bleaching alert and thirteen sampled coral species and a sea anemone were found bleached with an average bleaching of 3.9% at colony scale.

- (b) The Government has taken steps to protect and sustain Coral Reefs in the country through promotional  as  well  as  regulatory  measures.  The  promotional  measures  have  been implemented  through  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  under  National  Coastal  Mission  of  the Ministry  at  four  sites  namely  Lakshadweep,  Gulf  of  Kachchh,  Gulf  of  Mannar  and Andaman & Nicobar Islands for restoration, monitoring, conservation and management of coral reefs.

Regulatory measures are implemented through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification  (2019)  under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986;  the  Wild  Life

(Protection) Act, 1972; the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and rules under these acts as amended from time to time.

- (c) State/UT-wise details of the funds allocated / released for protection of coral reefs during the last three years and current year are as follows:

(₹ in Lakh)

| S. No.   | States/UTs                  | 2016-17           | 2016-17         | 2017-18           | 2017-18         | 2018-19           | 2018-19         | 2019-20           | 2019-20         |
|----------|-----------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| S. No.   | States/UTs                  | Amount Sanctioned | Amount Released | Amount Sanctioned | Amount Released | Amount Sanctioned | Amount Released | Amount Sanctioned | Amount Released |
| 1.       | Gujarat                     | ₹33.25            | ₹15.96          | ₹33.00            | ₹18.96          | ₹22.50            | ₹13.50          | ₹30.50            | ₹8.10           |
| 2.       | Tamil Nadu                  | ₹46.62            | ₹27.97          | ..                | ..              | ₹51.24            | ₹30.74          | ₹64.95            | ₹30.57          |
| 3.       | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | ..                | ..              | ..                | ..              | ..                | ..              | ₹155.00           | ₹155.00         |
| 4.       | Lakshadweep                 | ..                | ..              | ..                | ..              | ..                | ..              | ..                | ..              |
|          | Total                       | ₹79.87            | ₹43.93          | ₹33.00            | ₹18.96          | ₹73.74            | ₹44.24          | ₹250.45           | ₹193.67         |