·       Corals are invertebrate animals classified as “hard coral” (reef-building) or “soft coral”. They establish symbiotic relationships with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae.

·       Coral reefs thrive in warm, salty, clear, shallow marine waters with stable temperatures and abundant sunlight.

·       Often termed as the rainforests of the ocean, coral reefs support around 25% of marine life.

·       They minimize storm impacts, promote tourism, and act as carbon sinks.

Coral Bleaching:

·       When stressed by changes in conditions like temperature or light, corals expel symbiotic algae, causing them to turn completely white.

·       Factors include increased ocean temperatures due to climate change, runoff and pollution, extreme low tides, and ocean acidification.

Measures for Coral Reef Conservation:

·       Global Initiatives: Organizations like ICRI, Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), and the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) work towards coral reef conservation.

·       Coral Triangle: A marine area in the western Pacific Ocean encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

·       India’s Efforts: Conservation efforts include Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), and coral restoration through technologies like Biorock.