{"id":108498,"date":"2026-06-16T17:21:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=108498"},"modified":"2026-06-16T17:21:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:51:02","slug":"coral-translocation-in-great-nicobar-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/coral-translocation-in-great-nicobar-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Coral Translocation in Great Nicobar Island, Process, Significance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has identified four new translocation sites on the west coast of Great Nicobar Island for shifting coral colonies and Giant Clams that will be disturbed by the transhipment port being constructed at Galathea Bay as part of the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Coral Translocation Meaning and Process<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Coral translocation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> involves the scientific relocation of coral colonies from areas facing ecological disturbance to suitable habitats where they can continue to survive and grow. <\/span><b>Key Components of Translocation include:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identification and mapping of coral colonies within project impact zones.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selection of suitable recipient sites possessing similar environmental characteristics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical relocation of coral colonies using specialised scientific techniques.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term monitoring of survival rates and ecological adaptation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Conditions Necessary for Successful Translocation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts emphasise that recipient sites should possess environmental conditions similar to the original habitat, including: comparable water depth, similar current patterns, adequate light availability, appropriate water pressure and suitable ecological characteristics for coral growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Coral Translocation under the Great Nicobar Project<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coral Translocation under the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/great-nicobar-island-project\/\" target=\"_blank\">Great Nicobar Project<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a major <\/span><b>environmental mitigation measure<\/b> <b>aimed at reducing the ecological impact of the proposed <\/b><b>Galathea<\/b><b> <\/b><b>Bay<\/b><b> Transhipment Port.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of the conditions attached to the project\u2019s Environmental Clearance (EC) and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/coastal-regulation-zone\/\" target=\"_blank\">Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> clearance, coral colonies and Giant Clams located within the project impact area must be relocated before major construction activities commence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Objective<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The objective is to minimise biodiversity loss and reduce damage to sensitive marine ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scale of Coral Presence and Translocation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Scientific surveys conducted in the project area recorded approximately 20,668 coral colonies within a 10-hectare area of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galathea Bay<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Of these, around 16,150 coral colonies have been identified for translocation, while the remaining 4,518 colonies are under scientific observation before a final decision is taken regarding their relocation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Monitoring and Scientific Tracking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: To ensure effective monitoring after relocation, GPS tags will be attached to each translocated colony. This will enable scientists to maintain systematic records and track survival, growth, and adaptation of coral colonies over time. Continuous monitoring will help assess the long-term success of the translocation programme.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal and Regulatory Safeguards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Coral colonies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Giant Clams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are protected under Schedule I of the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wildlife-protection-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which gives them the highest level of protection. Therefore, ZSI must obtain all necessary statutory approvals before handling or relocating them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Role of Zoological Survey of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/zoological-survey-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the main scientific agency responsible for implementing coral translocation in the Great Nicobar project. It conducts detailed surveys of the 10-hectare impact area in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galathea Bay<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and has proposed translocation of around 16,150 coral colonies, while the remaining are under observation. ZSI ensures that relocation is carried out before construction begins, in line with Environmental Clearance conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/national-green-tribunal\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Green Tribunal (NGT)<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> examined the Great Nicobar project from an environmental perspective and allowed it to proceed with strict safeguards. It directed the authorities to ensure protection of coral reefs in the affected coastal stretch and to undertake coral regeneration in suitable adjoining areas to minimise ecological damage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Institutional Oversight and Biodiversity Conservation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Biodiversity Monitoring Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The coral translocation programme is being supervised through a biodiversity-related monitoring committee constituted under the project\u2019s Environmental Management Plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its primary responsibility is to oversee wildlife conservation measures and ensure that biodiversity protection commitments are effectively implemented during various stages of the project.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The committee monitors conservation efforts relating to several ecologically important and endemic species, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Nicobar Megapode<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 an endemic bird species found only in the Nicobar Islands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Leatherback Sea Turtle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 one of the world\u2019s largest marine turtles and a globally significant species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Saltwater Crocodile<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 an apex predator inhabiting coastal and estuarine ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Nicobar Macaque <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 a primate species endemic to the Nicobar Islands<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Robber Crab (Coconut Crab) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 the world\u2019s largest terrestrial arthropod.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Coral reefs and Giant Clams <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 critical components of marine biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Integrated Environmental Management: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from the biodiversity committee, two additional committees have been constituted to oversee:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pollution control and environmental quality management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welfare and protection of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, these mechanisms aim to ensure that developmental objectives are pursued alongside biodiversity conservation and social safeguards.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Galathea Bay<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galathea Bay<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an ecologically significant coastal region located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bay supports rich marine biodiversity, including <\/span><b>coral reefs, Giant Clams, and several endemic coastal and marine species.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u00a0 is recognised as one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the <\/span><b>Leatherback Sea Turtle.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The area forms part of the biodiversity-rich environment of Great Nicobar Island, which is known for its high levels of endemism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galathea Bay has been selected as the location for the proposed <\/span><b>transhipment port<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one of the four major components of the Great Nicobar Mega Project.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Previous Coral Restoration Efforts in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has undertaken coral restoration and transplantation projects in several regions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gulf of Mannar (2002\u2013present)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India\u2019s largest coral restoration programme, led by Sugamya Development and Marine Research Institute (SDMRI), has transplanted over 51,000 coral fragments of 20 native species, significantly increasing live coral cover.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Gujarat Forest Department pioneered the use of Biorock (Mineral Accretion) Technology.The technology uses low-voltage electrical currents to accelerate coral growth by 4\u20136 times compared to natural conditions. The initiative successfully reintroduced a staghorn coral species that had disappeared from the region for more than 10,000 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ReefWatch Marine Conservation has been transplanting corals onto artificial reef structures since 2018, while ZSI has developed coral nurseries for heat-resistant species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lakshadweep (Kavaratti and Agatti)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Coral nurseries established using coral fragments on mesh-frame structures have improved live coral cover and demonstrated the feasibility of reef restoration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sindhudurg, Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Coral fragments were cultivated on concrete frames and later deployed in suitable marine habitats. The project demonstrated the feasibility of ex-situ coral cultivation followed by in-situ transplantation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>About Corals<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corals are marine animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. They consist of thousands of tiny organisms called polyps, which live together in colonies and secrete limestone skeletons that gradually form coral reefs over thousands of years. <\/span><b>Key Features of Corals include:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corals are living animals, not plants or rocks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual coral organisms are called polyps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polyps live in large colonies and function as a single unit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard corals build coral reefs by secreting calcium carbonate (limestone) skeletons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microscopic algae called zooxanthellae live inside coral tissues and provide nutrients through photosynthesis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These algae are also responsible for the colourful appearance of corals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coral reefs are often <\/span><b>called the \u201cRainforests of the Sea\u201d because of their rich biodiversity.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Significance of Coral Reefs<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coral reefs are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, providing ecological, economic, and coastal protection benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Natural Coastal Barriers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Absorb up to 97% of wave energy, protecting coastlines from storms, cyclones, and flooding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Support Marine Biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Provide habitat, breeding grounds, and shelter for thousands of marine species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prevent Coastal Erosion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Act as natural wave breaks and reduce shoreline degradation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhance Fisheries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Support fish populations and sustain livelihoods of coastal communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic Value<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Generate commercial goods and ecosystem services worth billions of dollars annually.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Source of Medicinal Compounds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Contain bioactive substances used in research on cancer, pain management, and other diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promote Tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Attract diving, snorkeling, and marine tourism activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Carbon and Nutrient Cycling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Contribute to nutrient recycling and ecological balance in marine ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indicators of Ocean Health<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Serve as sensitive indicators of climate change, ocean warming, and marine pollution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coral Translocation in Great Nicobar Island aims to protect coral reefs through scientific relocation. Know its process, significance, and conservation measures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":108359,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-108498","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108498"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108500,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108498\/revisions\/108500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}