Vijaysinh Parmar Times of India 23 Mar 11;
RAJKOT: Scientists working on biodiversity of coral reefs in the Gulf of Kutch have warned of coral bleaching, which is a major contributing factor for their decline. The demographic pressure along coastal areas is continuously placing increasing demands on these complex and fragile ecosystems that can no longer sustain such pressures.
"In Gulf of Kutch, the bleaching was noticed in Paga reef, Poshitra, Laku reefs, Dedka-Mundika reef and other reef areas. The major stresses to coral reef around the world are sedimentation, inorganic and organic pollution and overfishing, all directly created by humans. Other anthropogenic impacts like oil pollution, heavy metal and pesticides, engineering activities like dredging, destructive fishing, physical damage from boat anchors and uncontrolled tourism," said a senior forest official.
Officials say that apart from natural threats like cyclones, tsunamis and predators which have become very frequent in recent years, coral reefs are facing extinction primarily due to human interference. "The most recent and deadly among the threats is coral bleaching. This phenomenon takes place due to expulsion of zooxanthellate algae from the coral tissues due to creation of unfavourable conditions such as like increase in the temperature or salinity," said a senior official. However, forest officials say that the magnitude is not large but we need to be vigilant.
