Q. Andrott, Kiltan, and Kalpeni Islands, recently seen in the news due to coral bleaching, are located in which region of India?
Answer:
Lakshadweep Sea
Notes: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) found severe coral bleaching in Lakshadweep Sea due to prolonged maritime heatwaves since October 2023. Corals, sessile organisms, suffered due to warm waters, ejecting algae, their food source. Lakshadweep’s islands, mostly coral atolls, rely on coral-derived soil. Bleaching affects major islands like Bitra, Kiltan, Amini, Andrott, Kalpeni, and Kavaratti. Coral reefs, vital ecosystems, face significant threat in the region due to rising sea temperatures.