| Summary: | Coral reefs are the most ancient and diverse eco-systems on earth, occupying less than 1 percent of the ocean floor and host more than 25 percent of all known marine species of the world. Reefs provide wide range of economic and environmental services to millions of people. Despite their immense importance, coral reefs are being damaged and destroyed due to natural and anthropogenic activities. If the same situation continues, by 2030, 90 percent of the reefs will be in danger and are likely to cause hunger, poverty and political instability around the world as the livelihoods of millions of people would disappear. In this context, studying the status of coral reefs and increasing threats to them becomes extremely important. The objective of this study is to focus on the exploitation of corals, understand their importance and analyse government policies intended for its conservation and management. The reef formation in India is restricted to four major centres Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep Islands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Reefs provide ecosystem services such as provisional, regulatory, cultural and supporting services. Climate change impacts of coral reefs are coral bleaching, sea level rise, stronger storms, ocean acidification and ozone layer depletion. The current law and policy framework for coral reefs in India is virtually non-existent except its protection through five Marine Protected Areas. Brief insights into international policy framework on coral reefs indicates that Australia has done a lot towards private sector involvement and local community participation in conservation of coral reefs, both of which India lacks. Similarly, Indonesia has good public awareness campaigns and capacity building programmes which could be implemented in India to improve reefs. Major policy suggestion made for improving the coral reef ecosystems in India is to have a separate legal status for them so as to regulate and prevent harmful activities Coral reefs, Conservation, Ecosystem services, ...
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