Posted on June, 18 1999

Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: These idyllic islands in the northern Indian Ocean have fringing coral reefs round the east coast and a long barrier reef to the west. The reefs are not yet well documented scientifically, but the results of preliminary investigations suggest they may prove to have the highest level of bio-diversity in India.

But something less exciting has also been discovered. Though a project undertaken by WWF-India and the Society for Andaman Nicobar Ecology (SANE), a local non-governmental organization, has concluded that further investigation and monitoring is required, it feels the survival of the reefs is now threatened by the process of bleaching. Coral polyps provide much of the available energy in marine eco-systems.

Reef-building corals and certain calcareous algae lay down the foundation of calcium carbonate and these ancient, massive structures are home to many plants and animals. Reefs are usually found in shallow waters between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The danger to those in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands came to light as a result of WWF-India's Biodiversity Hotspots Conservation Programme (BHCP). While devising strategies for the islands in the mid-1990s, the programme sought to give priority to development of an action plan for coral reefs.

This proved to be impractical because so little was known about the coral reef eco-system. So the WWF/SANE project was launched with the aim of surveying reef fish, and identifying indicator species to assess the status of the reefs and their contribution to local fisheries.

It was during the course of this programme that extensive bleaching was discovered. Further surveys found similar results throughout the islands. The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests was informed. SANE began organizing a monitoring plan for the islands with the help of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the islands and the Department of Ocean Development.

Meanwhile a pilot management project, to ensure proper handling of the conservation of the islands' reefs, is being undertaken by India's Ministry of Environment with support from the United Nations Development Programme. An Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network has also been established, and the Wildlife Institute of India is developing a management plan for the Mahatma Gandhi National Park at Wandoor, one of the few marine national parks in India.

Reef monitoring is still poor in India  it was not one of the 31 countries taking part in the Reef Check programme in 1997, the International Year of the Reefs. Perhaps WWF-India has finally provided the impetus for all concerned to work to preserve the valuable resources of coral reefs.

It has also started working on a handbook of environmental law and policies for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This will examine loopholes in the legal framework for the protection of coral reefs, and make recommendations on improving the approach to conservation and management of the eco-system.

(499 words)

*Krishna Kumar works as Senior Programme Officer with WWF-India's Biodiversity Hotspots Conservation Programme