(a) whether the corals especially in the Indian Ocean are prone to mass bleaching;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has initiated or proposes to initiate any study/research in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) There were instances of sporadic to mass bleaching of Indian corals in the past. Local oceanic processes, anthropogenic pressures, events like Indian Ocean Dipole/El Nino Southern Oscillation, etc. are few major driving mechanisms enforcing bleaching events.
(c) & (d) The Ministry of Earth Sciences has been issuing satellite based Indian Coral Watch advisories on bi-weekly basis. The Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate Change is also conducting studies to manage and conserve these fragile ecosystems.