UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

Which of the following have coral reefs?

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
2. Gulf of Kachchh 
3. Gulf of Mannar 
4. Sunderbans
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on the Earth. Corals grow over geological time scales and have been in existence for about 200 million years. Ecologically, coral reefs are important because they are the counterpart to the tropical rainforest in terms of species diversity and biological productivity in the Ocean. The vast diversity of animal and plant species that contributes to its system and the genetic heritage that it represents are increasingly at risk, since the last few decades.
  
  
• Coral reefs are present in the areas of the Gulf of Kutch, the Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, the Lakshadweep Islands, and Malvan. So, points 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
  
  
• Sunderban deltas have been created due to the deposition of the Gangetic and Brahmaputra river systems. Sundarbans are mangrove forests, also called littoral and swamp types of forests without the presence of coral reefs. So, point 4 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Protected Areas