Which of the following are the major coral reef areas of India ? 1. Gu

Which of the following are the major coral reef areas of India ?
1. Gulf of Kachchh
2. Gulf of Mannar
3. Lakshadweep
4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The question asks to identify the major coral reef areas of India from the given options.
India has four major coral reef regions:
1. **Gulf of Kachchh:** Located on the west coast.
2. **Gulf of Mannar:** Located on the southeast coast, between India and Sri Lanka.
3. **Lakshadweep Islands:** An archipelago of coral islands in the Arabian Sea.
4. **Andaman and Nicobar Islands:** Located in the Bay of Bengal, known for extensive fringing and barrier reefs.
All four options provided are indeed major coral reef areas in India.
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. They are found in warm, shallow, clear, sunny, and agitated waters. These ecosystems are among the most biologically diverse on Earth, providing habitat for a vast array of marine life and protecting coastlines from erosion. Threats to coral reefs include climate change (coral bleaching), pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and habitat destruction.