Lok Sabha Question No. 3414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Coral Bleaching
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3414

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## Coral Bleaching

## 3414.  SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the recent widespread coral bleaching in  Union Territory of Lakshadweep as reported by the ICAR Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute;
- (b) if so, the steps being taken to monitor, manage and mitigate the effects of marine heat waves and coral  bleaching,  and  if  any  emergency  response  measures  are  in  place  to protect vulnerable marine eco-system, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is working on long term strategies to address sea level rise and climate-induced heat stress, in  Lakshadweep; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) & (b):  Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  Research  -  Central  Marine  Fisheries  Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has reported widespread coral bleaching in Lakshadweep.

The Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event (GCBE4) reported to occur during period, beginning of  2023  till  mid  May  2024,  has  affected  the  coral  reef  in  Lakshadweep.  As  informed  by Department  of  Environment  &  Forest,  Lakshadweep  Administration,  three  islands  namely Kadmat, Kavaratti and Kiltan has experienced about 98% of coral bleaching during GCBE4.

Coral mass bleaching is a natural phenomenon across the global waters due to increase in Sea Surface  Temperature  (SST).  Corals  have  great  resilience  power  to  recover  to  some  extent depending upon the restoration of the normal sea condition. Since it is a global phenomenon, various strategies are adopted depending on local conditions to reduce climate change impacts.

Indian  National  Centre  for  Ocean  Information  Services  (INCOIS)  -  a  scientific  &  research organisation under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) INCOIS provides operational services including  monitoring  of sea  surface  temperatures  (SSTs),  marine  heatwave  events  and  other oceanic  variables.  By  utilizing  satellite  data,  buoys,  and  oceanographic  models,  INCOIS identifies  anomalies and disseminates Marine Heatwave Alerts to coastal states and relevant stakeholders. These alerts highlight coral regions impacted by bleaching due to thermal stress. INCOIS also routinely inform the distribution and hotspots of marine heatwaves in the Indian

Ocean.  These  assessments  include  their  potential  impact  on  ecosystems  such  as  coral  reefs. This  information  supports  experts  in  understanding  the  implications  for  various  marine ecosystems  and  mariculture  activities.  Further,  INCOIS  has  collaborated  with  academic institutions and conducted detailed studies on the spatiotemporal variability of environmental parameters and their impact on the coral ecosystems of the Lakshadweep Islands.

Zoological  Survey  of  India  (ZSI)  monitors  coral  reefs  through  coral  restoration,  coral transplantation,  research  on  the  reproductive  biology  of  scleractinian  corals,  and  studies  of bleaching-resistant  corals  and  zooxanthellae.  The  study  includes  assessment  of  scope  and consequences of coral bleaching incidents. ZSI has recorded the significant effects of bleaching on hard coral species within Indian waters through extensive surveys, research, and Geographic Information  System  (GIS)  mapping.  ZSI  comprehend  the  resilience  of  various  coral  species and provides critical insights for the formulation of effective conservation strategies and timely interventions by utilizing advanced  climatic  modelling techniques.  ZSI is  working in collaborations with state agencies to oversee the health of coral reefs in all the reef areas of India.

ICAR-CMFRI actively undertakes studies to understand the ecological changes affecting coral reefs and has a comprehensive national project aimed at investigating the resilience potential of various coral reefs in India

Coral  Reef  Health  Report  Card  of  Kadmat  Island  of  Lakshadweep  has  been  prepared  by National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai which provides comprehensive assessment of health of coral reefs.

Department of Environment & Forest of Lakshadweep Administration monitors the health and resilience of corals in collaboration with ZSI and is working on Coral Transplantation activities at Kavaratti Lagoon enhanced coral reef cover and bio-diversity in the shallow reefs.

The Coral Reef Monitoring Robot (C-Bot), developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), is employed to gather precise data regarding coral ecosystems. This robot features underwater imaging and geo-referencing capabilities, which are vital for continuous monitoring and validation of satellite data, thereby ensuring accurate evaluations of reef health.

(c)  &  (d):  The  sea  level  rise  and  climate  induced  heat  stress  are  global  phenomenon.  The measures  taken  by  Government  to  safeguard  from  the  impact  of  sea  level  rise  and  climate induced heat stress are as follow:

1. Important regulatory provision includes:
2.  The Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification of 2019 under The Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986,  stipulated  provisions  to  manage  and  regulate  developmental activities in coastal areas. The Integrated Island Management Plan mandates a 20-meter No Development Zone (NDZ) from the high tide line (HTL) for all islands in Lakshadweep, which  helps  minimize  the  impact  of  human  activities  on  coastal  ecosystems,  thereby reducing vulnerability to sea level rise.
3.  Corals and coral reefs are classified as Coastal Regulation Zone - IA area under the Coastal Regulation  Zone  Notification  2011  and  2019  promulgated  under  The  Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986.  Coastal  Regulation  Zone  (CRZ)  notifications  regulate  human activities affecting coral reefs.
4.  The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, provides legal protections for corals.
2. Government  of  India  is  implementing  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change (NAPCC),  which  provides  the  overarching  framework  for  climate  actions  in  close collaboration  with  the  States/UTs  on  long-term  strategies  to  address  sea-level  rise  and climate induced stress. All State Governments  and  Union  Territories (UTs)  are encouraged  to  prepare  their  own  State  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  (SAPCC) consistent  with  strategies  of  NAPCC.  Thirty-four  States  and  Union  Territory  (UTs), including Lakshadweep, have prepared their respective SAPCC.
3. The Lakshadweep SAPCC inter-alia provides action plan including those for management of  sea  level  rise  and  heat  stress.  Some  of  the  activities  included  in  their SAPCC are as follows:
7.  Systematic, long-term monitoring of coastal erosion and shoreline changes;
8.  Preparation  or  revision  of  the  Integrated  Coastal  Zone  Management  Plan  to  promote conservation of ecosystems like sand dunes and mangroves while regulating unsustainable interventions.
9.  Adoption of a mix of natural and physical methods for erosion control, such as creating a green coastal wall using indigenous vegetation;
10.  Establishment of ring bunds or similar physical barriers wherever necessary;
11.  Capacity building among local communities and staff on coastal protection strategies and enforcement of regulations.
12.  Development of climate-resilient agronomic practices and crop diversification to ensure food and economic security.
13.  Strategies to address heat stress in livestock and mitigate impacts on fish stocks affected by temperature variations.
14.  Climate proofing of infrastructure and energy systems, ensuring resilience to extreme climatic conditions.
15.  Education and awareness programs to promote sustainable resource management and heat adaptation strategies.
16.  Incorporating  climate  risk  assessments  into  disaster  preparedness  plans  to  reduce vulnerabilities related to extreme heat events.
17.  Lakshadweep administration is making investments in Coral Transplantation to restore damaged reefs through the transplantation of heat-resistant coral species, artificial reef installation  to  promote  coral  growth  and  create  habitats  for  marine  organisms,  and expansion  of  Marine  Protected  Areas  (MPAs)  to  safeguard  biodiversity  and  mitigate overfishing to avoid any compromise to the integrity of reef ecosystems.

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