Lok Sabha Question No. 247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 247

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs

## 247.     SMT. PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has a long-term action plan to protect and preserve coral reefs in  the  country,  particularly  against  the  impact  of  climate  change,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to protect major coral formations in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any measures to prevent damage to coral reefs while implementing development, shipping and tourism projects in Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar islands, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the projects and proposed projects for the protection and management of coral reefs under the National Coastal Mission Scheme, State/UT-wise;
- (e) the  details  of  major coral bleaching events in the country along with the causes and impact, including the extent of damage since 2015; and
- (f) the  details  of  the  measures  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  strengthen  coral  bleaching monitoring and alert system along with the details of alerts issued since 2015, State/UTwise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d).   Government of India has taken several steps to protect and conserve coral reefs in the country through various regulatory and promotional measures, which include:

- i. Coral species are listed under schedule -I under Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides highest protection to the coral reefs.
- ii. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, promulgated under Environment (Protection)  Act  1986,  has  specific  focus  on  conservation  and  management  plans  of Ecologically  Sensitive  Areas  (ESAs),  including  corals  and  coral  reefs  and  prohibit developmental activities and disposal of wastes in their fragile coastal ecosystems.
- iii. Ministry of Environment, Forest Climate Change has initiated a long-term programme of Coral restoration and Marine Biological Stations at several locations.
- iv. The  National  Coastal  Mission  (NCM),  which  is  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  under  the National Coastal Management  Programme,  aims  at  enhancing  the  resilience and sustainability of India's coastal regions. Development of coral reefs and its management is one of the identified activities under the National Coastal Mission Under the Mission, the Government  has  approved  specific  projects  and  activities for the protection, management and restoration of coral reefs, implemented through coastal States and Union Territories,  with  technical  support  from  national  institutions.  One  of  the  projects sanctioned under National Coastal Mission Scheme, is 'Development of Corals and its Management' for implementation in Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands by NCSCM in collaboration with Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
- v. 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 for enhanced coral reef cover and bio-diversity in the shallow reefs.
- vi. Central Marines  Fisheries Research  Institute  (CMFRI)  has  undertaken  studies  to understand ecological changes affecting coral reefs. CMFRI has initiated a comprehensive national  project aimed at  investigating the  resilience potential  of  various coral  reefs  in India by integrating advanced climatic modelling, deep-learning, and ecological research and develop resilience-based management actions ensuring the long-term sustainability of coral reef ecosystems.

(e) & (f). The primary drivers of coral bleaching have been elevated sea surface temperatures associated with climate change and ocean warming, including thermal stress linked to El-Niño events and prolonged periods of above-normal temperatures. Such conditions cause corals to expel their symbiotic algae, leading to bleaching. However, corals have resilience to recover depending upon the restoration of the normal sea conditions. Very few major coral bleaching episodes have been reported, particularly in Lakshadweep, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the Gulf of Mannar between 2015 and 2026. Coral bleaching is a sporadic event in India, and such incidents do not have major impact on local economy.

Indian  National  Centre for  Ocean  Information Services  (INCOIS)  - a scientific  &  research organisation under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) INCOIS through its Coral Bleaching Alert System (CBAS), 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. This information supports experts  in  understanding  the  implications  for  various  marine  ecosystems  and  mariculture activities.

Zoological  Survey  of  India  (ZSI)  monitors  coral  reefs  through  coral  restoration,  coral transplantation,  research  on  the  reproductive  biology  of  corals,  and  studies  of  bleachingresistant corals. Further, ZSI conducts studies on extent of coral bleaching as part of Long Term Coral Reef Monitoring Program. 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.

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.

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