Table of Contents
Introduction: Islands and Coral Reefs of India
Islands and Coral Reefs of India: India is home to stunning islands and vibrant coral reefs, each offering unique ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, nestled in the Bay of Bengal, are renowned for their pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Similarly, the Lakshadweep Islands, off the southwestern coast, boast clear turquoise waters and rich coral atolls supporting countless marine species.
Along the southeastern coast lies the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, home to over 3,600 species of marine flora and fauna, including endangered species like dugongs and sea turtles, along with extensive coral reefs.
The Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park, off Gujarat’s coast, shelters diverse habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, nurturing a wealth of marine life.
Netrani Island, off Karnataka, is a popular diving spot, offering enthusiasts the chance to explore colorful coral gardens and encounter diverse marine creatures.
Islands
- An island is a body of land surrounded by water.
- Many islands are quite small, covering less than half a hectare (one acre). These tiny islands are often called islets.
List of Islands in India
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | |
| Lakshadweep Islands | |
| Majuli Island (Assam) | A river island1 in the Brahmaputra River The first island to be made a district in India |
| Diu Island | Off the coast of Gujarat’s Kathiawar peninsula |
| Anjediva Island | off the coast of Kanara coast, Karnataka The island is politically part of Goa |
| Bet Dwarka | Gulf of Kutch |
| St. Mary’s Islands | Set of 4 islands Also known as Coconut Island They are known for Columnar jointing (a type of geological formation) |
| Basavaraj Durga Island | near Honnavar, Karnataka |
| Netrani Island | 19 km from the coast of Murudeshwara, Karnataka a coral island |
| Salsette Island[2] | 1. The whole city of Mumbai and a portion of Thane lie within it. 2. The Ulhas River separate Salsette Island from the mainland. 3. It was originally a group of seven islands that were merged by land reclamation during the 19th and early 20th century |
| Butcher Island | Off the coast of Mumbai |
| Elephanta Island | in Mumbai Harbour |
| Murud-Janjira | Off the coastal town of Murud (Raigad district of Maharashtra) |
| Phumdi | floating islands, exclusive to the Loktak Lake |
| Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) | 1. Approximately 10 km from the coast of Odisha. 2. Launch Complex-IV of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) is located on the island. 3. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was appointed as the first director of the Integrated Test Range in 1982. |
| Nongkhnum River Island | It is the biggest river island in Meghalaya and the second biggest river island in Asia, after Majuli Island in Assam. |
| Nalbana Island | located in the center of Chilka lake |
| Sagar Island | A part of Sundarbans in West Bengal The Gangasagar fair is held annually on the island’s southern tip where the Ganges enters the Bay of Bengal |
| Pamban Island | also known as Rameswaram Island It is an island located between mainland India and Sri Lanka. |
| Srirangapatna | A river island, enclosed by the streams of River Kaveri. |
| Indus River Delta | Kutch Region, Gujarat |
Coral Reefs
- The coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” because of the diversity of life found.
- Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all marine life despite occupying less than 1% of the ocean floor.
List of Coral Reefs in India
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | |
| Eastern Coast | Konark area of Odisha |
| Gulf of Mannar | Fringing reefs[3] with a chain of 21 islands from Rameswaram in the north to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in the south. |
| Gulf of Kutch | |
| Lakshadweep | Coral Atolls[4] |
| Western Coast | Gulf of Khambat |
- Islands in rivers are sometimes called aits or eyots. ↩︎
- Seven Islands of Bombay:-
Colaba
Little Colaba
Isle of Bombay
Mahim
Mazagaon
Parel
Worli ↩︎ - Fringing reefs are formed near the coastline. They are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. ↩︎
- An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets. The atoll surrounds a body of water called a lagoon. Atolls are usually located in the middle of the sea. ↩︎