Frontiers in Marine Science. (2022). Coral reef health status versus muricid bioindicator in the Lakshadweep Archipelago – A multivariate approach. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.914240/full
The study by Marimuthu et al. (2022) examines coral reef health in the Lakshadweep Archipelago, utilizing Drupella cornus, a coral-eating snail, as a biological indicator. Surveys across 42 reef sites between 2015 and 2020 assessed live coral cover and environmental factors such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll a. Results revealed that lagoon reefs were generally healthier than reef slopes, while higher snail abundance correlated with coral degradation. The researchers introduced a Live Coral Index (LCI) to classify reef conditions and applied multivariate analyses to explore ecological relationships. Although the study focused mainly on biological data, it established valuable baseline information for reef monitoring. Its findings have direct relevance to sustainable tourism, as maintaining coral health is essential to marine ecotourism activities such as diving and snorkelling. By linking biodiversity monitoring with management strategies, the study supports the integration of reef conservation into sustainable tourism development policies.
The Times of India. (2025, October). Lakshadweep faces high risk from microplastic pollution in coral reefs, waters. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/lakshadweep-faces-high-risk-from-microplastic-pollution-in-coral-reefs-waters/articleshow/124325600.cms
A recent study by researchers from Cochin University of Science and Technology revealed that the Lakshadweep Islands face a high risk of microplastic pollution in their coral reef ecosystems. Sampling from 24 sites across six inhabited atolls showed alarming concentrations—about 57 microplastic particles per cubic metre in seawater and 97 particles per kilogram of sediment. Most particles were tiny fragments and fibres under 1 mm, primarily made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET. The study identified tourism-related waste, abandoned fishing gear, garbage burning, and marine traffic as major pollution sources. Seasonal ocean currents and monsoon winds were also found to influence plastic accumulation. This pollution poses severe threats to coral reef health, marine biodiversity, and the local fishing economy. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved waste management and sustainable tourism practices to protect Lakshadweep’s fragile marine ecosystem from escalating microplastic contamination.
ScienceDirect. (2025, September 15). Multifaceted ecological risk and pollution profiling of microplastics in the Lakshadweep Islands. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389425027852
The study assesses microplastic (MP) contamination and associated ecological risk across multiple reef zones of the Lakshadweep Archipelago. The researchers measured MP abundance, particle size and polymer type across seawater, sediments and coral-reef habitats, and computed risk indices to profile pollution severity. They found elevated MP loads in reef sediment and water samples, with dominant polymer types including polyethylene and polypropylene. MP concentrations were higher in lagoon and on-reef zones compared to open-ocean controls, suggesting local sources (tourism, fishing gear, litter) and hydrodynamic retention. The ecological risk assessment highlighted hotspots where MP exposure and potential impacts on reef-associated fauna are most acute. The authors advocate for routine MP monitoring integrated into coral-reef management, especially given the archipelago’s tourism-dependence and the sensitivity of its coral ecosystems to plastic pollution.
European Union SWITCH-Asia. (2020–2024). Prevention of marine litter in the Lakshadweep Sea (ProMiSe). https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/projects/prevention-marine-litter-lakshadweep-sea-promise_en
The PROMISE initiative (July 2020 – June 2024), supported under the SWITCH Asia Programme, aims to tackle marine litter across tourism clusters in the Lakshadweep Sea region—covering coastal zones of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Recognizing tourism and consumption-based waste (especially single-use plastics) as major land-based causes of marine litter, the project targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector to adopt waste-minimization and circular consumption practices. Key components include: establishing a “source-to-sea” knowledge base of waste flows, forming a “Lakshadweep Zero Waste Alliance”, enabling access to finance for SMEs to implement waste-minimization technologies, and strengthening regional policy frameworks for coastal waste management. Altogether, the project seeks to reduce marine litter, preserve fragile marine ecosystems, and support sustainable tourism and local livelihoods in vulnerable island environments.
Vaid, M. (2021). Microplastics as contaminants in the Indian environment: A review. Springer Nature. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12345633/
Coral bleaching poses the largest global threat to coral-reef ecosystems this century. The authors — convened via a research coordination network — identify key strategic directions for advancing coral-bleaching science and management. They emphasize three foundational pillars: embedded inclusiveness (ensuring local communities and diverse geographies are involved), co-development (collaborative research and capacity building), and strengthening research-policy linkages. The paper proposes the establishment of an international coral-bleaching consortium, coordinating global research, innovation and mitigation efforts under existing multinational frameworks. Technological advances, standardized monitoring, and inclusive governance are highlighted as catalysts for a “step-function” change in addressing the bleaching crisis. Ultimately, the authors call for coordinated global action that unites science, management and policy to safeguard coral reefs under accelerating climate stress.
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AI is used for summarizing the articles.
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