Three new coral reefs have been found by a team of Zoological Survey of India recently
Three new coral reefs have been found near Malvan on the Sindhudurg coast during a recent survey. The survey was conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
A team from Kolkata and the Marine Biology Regional Centre of ZSI in Chennai conducts joint surveys from time to time to monitor the health of coral reefs. In a recent survey, the team found the three new coral reefs. The ZSI has been putting in constant efforts to protect the reefs with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has sanctioned Rs80 lakh for this purpose.
Dr Raj Kumar, officer in charge at the Marine Biology Regional Centre in Chennai, said, "There is good tourist flow and corals are the main attraction for tourists. We have to do fine balancing to protect corals since fishing too goes on unabated in Malvan. The coral reefs found in Malvan are pristine and still unbleached, unlike the reefs found in other parts of the country like Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands."
In the survey covering 180km of the Sindhudurg coast many species have been found. They include the species of Turbinaria mesenterina, Goniatsrea pectinata, Porites lichen, Porites lutea, Siderastrea savignvana, Coscinarea monile, Cyphastera serialia, Pleasiastrea versipora, Leptastrea sp, Cyphastrea sp and Goniopora sp. Three new species of Goniatsrea sp, Porites sp and Turbinaria sp have also been recorded.
Divisional commissioner of Konkan Radheshyam Mopalwar, in whose jurisdiction Malvan-Sindhudurg falls, told dna:
"It is one of the finest discoveries in Malvan. This is a value-added attraction and it would boost tourism in the area and adventure tourism would grow further in its surrounding areas. I have instructed officials of Sindhudurg district to take best care of these areas so that a positive message is spread across the globe to promote the image of Maharashtra."
Paraag Jainn Nainuttia, MD, MTDC, said: "Coral reefs are globally popular and always a major tourist attraction. Keeping this in view, we are soon going to start scuba diving in the Malvan area. We have a plan to provide training to villagers to protect the coral reefs. Our coastal region is one of the finest in the country and coral reefs would further enhance its image."
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