• The blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent, known for its striking appearance and graceful movements. Scientifically called Antilope cervicapra, it is easily recognizable by the contrasting colors of its coat — the males have dark brown to black upper parts with white underparts and a white ring around the eyes, while the females and young ones are usually light brown or fawn-colored.
• One of the most distinctive features of the male blackbuck is its long, spiraled horns, which can grow up to 70 centimeters in length and are twisted in a “V” shape.
• Blackbucks are primarily found in grasslands and open plains, often grazing in herds. They are herbivores that feed mainly on grasses, pods, and fruits. Once widespread across India, their population declined sharply due to hunting and habitat loss, leading to their protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• Today, they are classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN but remain a Schedule I species in India, offering them the highest level of legal protection.
• Culturally, the blackbuck holds significance in several Indian traditions and religions, often associated with Lord Krishna and revered in regions like Rajasthan.
• Conservation efforts in national parks and sanctuaries such as Velavadar (Gujarat) and Ranibennur (Karnataka) have helped stabilize their populations, making the blackbuck a symbol of India’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage

• The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is currently classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, meaning it is not globally endangered at present.
• However, within India, it enjoys the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, similar to tigers and elephants. This strict protection makes hunting, trading, or capturing blackbucks a punishable offense.
• While their numbers have recovered in several protected areas due to conservation measures and community efforts, habitat loss, poaching, and human–wildlife conflict still pose local threats

4. What are the challenges to blackbuck populations in India?

• The blackbuck population in India faces several challenges despite legal protection and conservation success in some regions.
• One major threat is habitat loss and fragmentation. As grasslands and open scrublands — the blackbuck’s natural habitats — are converted into agricultural fields, industrial areas, and urban settlements, their feeding and breeding grounds shrink. This reduces the space available for large herds to roam freely and increases competition for resources.
• Another significant challenge is poaching, mainly for their meat, skin, and horns. Although hunting blackbucks is banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, illegal hunting still occurs in some areas.
• Human–wildlife conflict has also grown, especially in agricultural zones near protected areas. Blackbucks sometimes graze on crops, leading to retaliation from farmers.
• Additionally, fencing and road construction disrupt their migration routes and cause accidental deaths due to vehicle collisions. Predation by feral dogs in rural landscapes further affects fawn survival rates.
• Lastly, changing land-use patterns and loss of grassland ecosystems — often misclassified as “wastelands” in policy frameworks — remain long-term ecological threats.
• In summary, while conservation efforts have helped stabilize blackbuck populations in protected areas, sustaining them across India requires grassland conservation, community-based management, and effective mitigation of human–wildlife conflicts

5. What steps has the government taken to conserve blackbucks?

• The Government of India has undertaken several important measures to conserve blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra), focusing on legal protection, habitat management, and community involvement.
• First and foremost, the species is placed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which grants it the highest level of legal protection, making hunting, trading, or capturing blackbucks a serious criminal offense. This legislative safeguard has been instrumental in curbing poaching and illegal trade.
• The government has also established protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries dedicated to grassland conservation, where blackbucks naturally thrive.
• Notable examples include the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park in Gujarat, Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. These areas provide secure habitats for breeding and foraging.
• Additionally, several state forest departments have launched conservation and awareness programs to engage local communities and farmers, encouraging coexistence and discouraging retaliatory actions when blackbucks graze on crops. In some regions, eco-development programs and compensation schemes for crop loss have been introduced to reduce conflict.
• The government also supports scientific research and monitoring through institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), helping track population trends, habitat use, and threats to the species.
• Overall, these steps — combining strong legal protection, habitat preservation, and community participation — have contributed significantly to stabilizing blackbuck populations in India, making it one of the country’s notable conservation success stories

6. Bishnoi Community

• The Bishnoi community is one of India’s oldest and most remarkable examples of environmental conservation through faith and tradition.
• Originating in the 15th century in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, the community was founded by Guru Jambheshwar (also known as Jambhoji), who laid down 29 principles (from which the word Bishnoi — meaning “twenty-nine” — is derived). These principles emphasize compassion for all living beings, protection of the environment, and a sustainable way of life.
• At the heart of Bishnoi philosophy is reverence for nature. The community strictly prohibits the cutting of green trees and the killing of animals, especially blackbucks and chinkaras, which they regard as sacred. Bishnois believe that protecting these species maintains the balance of nature and honors the divine.
• Historically, the Bishnois have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to environmental ethics. The most famous example is the Khejarli Massacre of 1730, when Amrita Devi Bishnoi and over 360 Bishnoi villagers sacrificed their lives while trying to prevent royal soldiers from cutting down Khejri trees — a sacred species central to their ecosystem. This act is considered one of the earliest recorded movements for environmental protection in the world.
• Even today, the Bishnoi community actively works to protect wildlife and forests, often rescuing injured animals, reporting poachers, and maintaining informal sanctuaries around their villages. Their efforts have been crucial in sustaining blackbuck populations in western India, especially in Rajasthan, where herds often roam freely near Bishnoi settlements

GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN(GRAP)

 

1.Context

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider easing Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP-4) restrictions in the national capital on November 25 after the Centre for Air Quality Management (CAQM) claimed the air quality in Delhi has entered a relatively easy-to-breathe GRAP-2 stage in the past two days.

2.What is a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

In 2014, when a study by the WHO found that Delhi was the most polluted city in the world, panic spread in the center and the state government. Approved by the supreme court in 2016, the plan was formulated after several meetings that the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) held with state government representatives and experts. The result was a plan that institutionalized measures to be taken when air quality deteriorates.

The plan was notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate change in 2017.

GRAP works only as an emergency measure.

 

It institutionalized measures to be taken when air quality deteriorates.

1. The plan is incremental- therefore, when the air quality moves from 'poor' to 'very poor, the measures listed under both sections have to be followed.

2. It prevents PM10 and PM2.5 levels from going beyond the 'moderate' national AQI category.

 

Authorities from both Haryana and UP had informed EPCA at the time that they would put in the required measures by winter 2020 for the supply of electricity from the grid.

3.Has GRAP Helped?

• The biggest success of GRAP has been in fixing accountability and deadlines.
• For each action to be taken under a particular air quality category, executing agencies are marked.
• In a territory like Delhi, where a multiplicity of authorities has been a long-standing impediment to effective governance, this step made a crucial difference.

4.Measures that are taken in other states

• one criticism of the EPCA, as well as GRAP, has been the focus on Delhi. While other states have managed to delay several measures, citing a lack of resources, Delhi has always been the first to have stringent measures enforced.
• When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed under both sections have to be followed since the plan is incremental in naturality reaches the severe+ stage, GRAP talks about shutting down schools and implementing the odd-even road-space rationing scheme. 

5.Actions under GRAP

Severe+ or Emergency	(PM 2.5 OVER 300 300 µg/cubic metre or PM10 over 500µg/cu. m. for 48+ hours) Stop construction work. Stop entry of trucks into Delhi. Introduce odd/even schemes for private vehicles and minimize exemptions. Taskforce to decide any additional steps including shutting schools to stop.
Severe	(PM 2.5 OVER 250µg/cu. m. or PM10 over 430 µg/cu. m. ) Maximize power generation from natural gas to reduce generation from coal. Close brick kilns, hot mix plants, and stone crushers. More frequent mechanized cleaning of roads and sprinkling of water.
Very Poor	(PM2.5 121-250 µg/cu. m. or PM10 351-430 µg/cu.m. ) Increase bus and metro services. Stop the use of diesel generator sets. Enhance parking fee by 3-4 times. Apartment owners discourage burning fires in winter by providing electric heaters during winter. Advisories to people with respiratory and cardiac conditions to restrict outdoor movement.
Moderate to Poor	(PM2.5 61-120 µg/cu. m. or PM10 101-350 µg/cu. m.) Close/enforce pollution control regulations in brick kilns and industries. Heavy fines for garbage burning. Mechanized sweeping on roads with heavy traffic and water sprinkling.

 

6. The Air Quality Index (AQI)

• The AQI is a colour-coded index launched under the Swachh Bharat campaign to simplify the understanding of pollution levels.
• It helps convey the condition of the air and guides appropriate measures based on the severity of pollution.
• The AQI consists of six categories, each with a corresponding colour code: 'Good' (0-50), 'Satisfactory' (51-100), 'Moderately Polluted' (101-200), 'Poor' (201-300), 'Very Poor' (301-400) and 'Severe' (401-500).

 

7. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

 

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established by the Government of India in October 2020 to address the persistent and severe problem of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining states.
• It was later given statutory backing through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. The Commission functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The CAQM was created in response to the recurring air pollution crisis in Delhi and surrounding areas, which often see hazardous air quality levels, especially during the winter months.
• The problem is aggravated by factors such as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, industrial and vehicular emissions, and construction dust. Earlier, multiple agencies such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state pollution control boards, and environment departments operated independently, leading to poor coordination and weak enforcement. The CAQM was envisioned as a centralized, permanent body to unify and coordinate efforts across states.
• The Commission’s jurisdiction extends to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, covering areas adjoining the NCR. It is headed by a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government—typically a former Secretary to the Government of India or a Chief Secretary of a state.
• The body includes representatives from central ministries, state governments, the CPCB, ISRO, and NITI Aayog, along with experts in environmental science and pollution control.
• The CAQM is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and implementing air quality management plans across its jurisdiction. It formulates policies to prevent and control air pollution, enforces existing environmental laws, and ensures that central, state, and local authorities act in a coordinated manner.
• The Commission also plays a critical role in tackling stubble burning, a major seasonal contributor to pollution in northern India. It has the authority to issue directions to central, state, and local authorities, and its orders override those of other agencies within its jurisdiction. Moreover, the Commission possesses powers of a civil court, enabling it to summon individuals, demand documents, and take punitive actions against violators.
• The establishment of CAQM marks an important step in India’s environmental governance. By creating a single authority with comprehensive powers, the government sought to move away from fragmented approaches and ensure consistent, region-wide enforcement.
• However, despite its potential, the Commission faces challenges such as jurisdictional overlaps, limited manpower, and the lack of strong enforcement mechanisms at the local level. Successful functioning of CAQM ultimately depends on the cooperation of states, technological monitoring, and public awareness

 

 

For Prelims and Mains

For Prelims: Graded Response Action Plan, National Capital Region (NCR),Environmental pollution(prevention control)Authority (EPCA). For Mains: 1. What is GRAP? What is the Delhi-NCR action plan as air pollution increases? (250 words).

 

Previous Year Questions   1.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of the Air Quality Index? (2016) Carbon dioxide  Carbon monoxide  Nitrogen dioxide  Sulfur dioxide  Methane  Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only  (b) 2, 3 and 4 only  (c) 1, 4 and 5 only  (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer (b)

SOURCE: The Indian Express

 

GREENHOUSE GASES(GHGs)

 

 

1. Context

 

India’s long-awaited greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity targets for key industrial sectors were finally notified on October 8, 2025. But months of bureaucratic delay have forced a downward revision in ambition, weakening the country’s carbon market before it has even begun operating in full

 

2.What are greenhouse gases?

 

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and fluorinated gases (such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride).

These gases allow sunlight to enter the Earth's atmosphere freely. Once absorbed, the Earth's surface emits infrared radiation, but instead of allowing this radiation to escape back into space, greenhouse gases trap and re-radiate some of it back towards the Earth's surface. This process warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect.

Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, amplifying the greenhouse effect and contributing to global climate change

Here are the major greenhouse gases:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): The most abundant greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. It is released when fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are burned
• Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted from agriculture, waste decomposition, and fossil fuel production. It is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, but it breaks down in the atmosphere more quickly
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted from agriculture, industrial processes, and burning fossil fuels. It is a long-lived greenhouse gas that can stay in the atmosphere for centuries
• Fluorinated gases These are man-made chemicals used in refrigerants, air conditioners, and fire extinguishers. They are very potent greenhouse gases, but they are emitted in much smaller quantities than other greenhouse gases
• Water vapor (H2O): The most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Water vapor plays an important role in the natural greenhouse effect, but human activities do not significantly affect the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere

3. What is the Greenhouse gas effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun. This process is essential for maintaining the Earth's temperature within a range suitable for life. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would be much colder, and life as we know it would not exist.

Here's how the greenhouse effect works:

• Solar radiation: Sunlight reaches the Earth's atmosphere and passes through it, warming the Earth's surface.

• Absorption and re-radiation: The Earth's surface absorbs some of this solar energy and then emits it as infrared radiation (heat). Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor (H2O), and others, absorb some of this infrared radiation.

• Re-emission: The absorbed energy is re-radiated in all directions, including back toward the Earth's surface. This trapped heat warms the lower atmosphere and the Earth's surface, similar to how a greenhouse traps heat.

• Balance: The greenhouse effect helps maintain the Earth's temperature in a range suitable for life. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to enhanced greenhouse effect or global warming

 

4. What are hydrofluorocarbons?

 

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a class of synthetic greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and other industrial applications. They are composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms.
• HFCs were developed as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which were phased out due to their significant ozone-depleting potential. Unlike CFCs and HCFCs, HFCs do not contain chlorine atoms, so they do not contribute to ozone depletion.
• However, they are potent greenhouse gases, with high global warming potentials (GWPs), meaning they trap heat in the atmosphere at a much higher rate than carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Due to their role in contributing to climate change, efforts have been made internationally to regulate and phase out the use of HFCs. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, aims to gradually reduce the production and consumption of HFCs globally.
• Many countries are transitioning to alternative refrigerants with lower global warming potentials, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants like ammonia and carbon dioxide. These efforts are essential for mitigating climate change by reducing the emissions of potent greenhouse gases like HFC

5. What are the adverse effects?

 

The greenhouse gas effect, when intensified beyond natural levels due to human activities, leads to a range of adverse effects on the environment, ecosystems, and human societies.

 

Some of these effects include:

• The primary consequence of intensified greenhouse gas effect is global warming. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap more heat, leading to a rise in average global temperatures
• Global warming alters weather patterns and climatic conditions worldwide, leading to changes such as more frequent and intense heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods. These changes can disrupt ecosystems, agriculture, and water supplies, leading to ecological imbalances and economic losses
• Warmer temperatures cause polar ice caps and glaciers to melt, contributing to rising sea levels. This phenomenon threatens coastal communities, low-lying islands, and habitats, increasing the risk of flooding and erosion
•  Increased atmospheric CO2 levels lead to higher levels of carbon dioxide dissolving into oceans, resulting in ocean acidification. This harms marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and certain plankton species
• Climate change disrupts ecosystems and habitats, forcing species to migrate, adapt, or face extinction. The rapid pace of climate change often outpaces the ability of many species to adapt, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation
• Climate change exacerbates health risks, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems from poor air quality, increased prevalence of infectious diseases, and food and water insecurity due to changing agricultural conditions
• Climate change can lead to displacement of populations due to extreme weather events, loss of livelihoods in sectors such as agriculture and fishing, and increased conflicts over resources like water and arable land. These disruptions can strain social systems and economies, particularly in vulnerable regions

6.What is Montreal Protocol?

 

The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement aimed at protecting the Earth's ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It was negotiated in 1987 and entered into force in 1989. The protocol is regarded as one of the most successful international environmental treaties.

Key points about the Montreal Protocol include:

• Objective: The primary goal of the Montreal Protocol is to phase out the production and consumption of ODS, which are substances that contain chlorine and bromine atoms and are responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere.

• Ozone Layer: The ozone layer is a region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone molecules (O3). This layer plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth from its harmful effects.

• Ozone-Depleting Substances: The Montreal Protocol targets several categories of ODS, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform, among others. These substances were commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam blowing agents, fire extinguishers, and other industrial applications.

• Phasing Out: The protocol established a timetable for phasing out the production and consumption of ODS, with developed countries committing to earlier phase-out schedules and developing countries given more time to comply. Amendments to the protocol tightened regulations and accelerated the phase-out schedules over time.

• Success: The Montreal Protocol is widely regarded as successful in achieving its objectives. By reducing the production and consumption of ODS, the protocol has led to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer. Scientific assessments have confirmed a decrease in the atmospheric concentrations of ODS and a healing of the ozone layer.

• International Cooperation: The Montreal Protocol exemplifies successful international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges. It has been ratified by almost every country in the world, demonstrating a shared commitment to protecting the ozone layer and mitigating climate change (as many ODS are also potent greenhouse gases)

7.Way Forward

 

Since 2020, the US has banned the import of HCFC 22 for any purpose other than in a process which results in its transformation or destruction. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, passed by Congress in December 2020, authorised the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down the production and consumption of numerous forms of HFCs

 

 

For Prelims: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization For Mains: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1.Global warming is attributed to the presence of the following gases in the atmosphere : (UGC NET 2022) (A) Methane (B) Sulphur dioxide (C) Surface Ozone (D) Nitrogen dioxide (E) Carbon dioxide Choose the correct answer from the options given below : 1.(A), (B), (C), (E) only 2.(A), (C), (E) only 3.(A), (C), (D), (E) only 4.(A), (B), (D), (E) only Answer (2)

Source: Indianexpress

 

CORAL BLEACH IN 2023

 

 

 

1. Context

 

Coral reefs, Earth’s marine nurseries, are dying faster than ever as warming seas cross a tipping point. Urgent global action is our only lifeline

 

2. What are Coral reefs?

 

Coral reefs are diverse and valuable marine ecosystems formed by the accumulation of coral polyps, tiny organisms related to sea anemones and jellyfish. These polyps secrete a calcium carbonate exoskeleton that provides the framework for the reef structure. Over time, as new generations of corals grow on top of the old ones, the reef continues to develop and expand

Coral reefs are found in clear, warm, and shallow waters, usually between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

3. What is Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when coral polyps expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues. These algae provide corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis and give them their vibrant colours.

When corals are under stress, such as from high water temperatures or pollution, they expel the algae, causing the coral to turn completely white or pale.

 

3.1. Reasons for Coral bleaching

• The primary cause of coral bleaching is the rising sea temperatures associated with climate change.
• When the water becomes too warm, corals become stressed, and as a survival mechanism, they expel the algae, which leads to the loss of their main source of food.
• Without the colourful algae, the corals appear bleached and are more vulnerable to disease and death
• Other factors can contribute to coral bleaching as well, including ocean acidification, pollution, and extreme weather events.
• All of these stressors can weaken the corals and make them more susceptible to bleaching.
• Coral bleaching is a significant concern for the health and survival of coral reefs around the world.
• Repeated or prolonged bleaching events can lead to mass coral die-offs, causing the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of entire reef ecosystems

4. Why Coral reefs are important to everyone

• Coral reefs are hot spots of biodiversity. They are often referred to as the rainforests of the sea because they are home to the highest concentrations of species in the ocean.
• Healthy reefs are vibrant ecosystems that support fish and fisheries, which in turn support economies and food for millions of people
• Additionally, they provide billions of dollars in economic activity every year through tourism, particularly in places like the Florida Keys, where people go to scuba dive, snorkel, fish and experience the natural beauty of coral reefs
• If that isn’t enough, reefs also protect shorelines, beaches and billions of dollars in coastal infrastructure by buffering wave energy, particularly during storms and hurricanes.
• They host a microscopic symbiotic algae called zooxanthella that photosynthesizes just like plants, providing food to the coral

5. What can we do to protect Coral reefs?

Protecting coral reefs requires a combination of local, national, and global efforts to address the various threats they face

Coral reefs are in danger, and there are many things that can be done to protect them. Here are some of the most important actions that individuals, businesses, and governments can take:

• Reduce your carbon footprint. The main threat to coral reefs is climate change, so reducing your carbon emissions is one of the most important things you can do to help. This means driving less, using less energy at home, and eating less meat.
• Support sustainable fishing practices. Overfishing is another major threat to coral reefs. When fish populations are depleted, it can lead to algae blooms that smother coral reefs. Choose to eat seafood that is sustainably caught, and support businesses that practice sustainable fishing methods.
• Use reef-friendly sunscreen. Some sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to coral reefs. Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.
• Support marine protected areas. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean where fishing and other human activities are restricted. MPAs can help to protect coral reefs by reducing the amount of pollution and fishing pressure they face.
• Volunteer your time to coral reef conservation efforts. There are many organizations that are working to protect coral reefs. You can volunteer your time to help with beach cleanups, coral reef monitoring, or other conservation efforts.
• Establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Designating and effectively managing marine protected areas can help protect coral reefs and the surrounding marine life from destructive activities such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.
• Encourage Responsible Tourism: Sustainable tourism practices can minimize the negative impacts on coral reefs. This includes promoting responsible diving and snorkeling practices, limiting physical contact with corals, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals like sunscreen that can harm marine life

 

 

For Prelims: Corals, Coral reefs, polyps, zooxanthellae For Mains: 1.Examine the major human-induced threats to coral reefs, including pollution, overfishing, and coastal development. What measures can be taken to address these threats and conserve coral reef ecosystems? 2.Assess the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in safeguarding coral reefs. Discuss the challenges in establishing and effectively managing MPAs for coral reef conservation.

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1. Consider the following Statements 1. Most of the coral reefs are in tropical waters 2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in territories of Australia, Indonesia, and Phillippines 3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests Which of the statements above given is/ are correct A. 1 and 2      B. 3 Only       C. 1 and 3        D.1, 2, 3   Answer- D

 

Source: DownToEarth