Lakshadweep: At a time when coral reefs across the world are reeling under the impact of rising sea temperatures and mass bleaching, scientists have discovered a vibrant and healthy coral reef stretching nearly 1.8 kilometres off the northeast coast of Kalpeni island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
The discovery comes amid the ongoing fourth global mass coral bleaching event, which has severely affected reefs worldwide. Between January 2023 and September 2025, bleaching-level heat stress impacted nearly 84.4 per cent of the world’s coral reef areas, with mass bleaching recorded in at least 83 countries and territories. Scientists have warned that with the Earth already at 1.4 degrees Celsius of long-term warming, warm-water coral reefs are approaching their thermal tipping point.
Against this bleak backdrop, the newly documented reef near Kalpeni offers a rare and hopeful exception.
A Rare Stretch of Healthy Coral Cover
The reef was identified during a marine biodiversity survey conducted by the Research and Environmental Education Foundation, supported by Baranna Dives. It was one of 24 reef sites documented during fieldwork in the region.
According to Idrees Babu, a scientist with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the reef covers approximately 12.99 hectares and hosts around 35 coral species. He described it as one of the more continuous and healthy reef patches observed in Lakshadweep in recent years.
He said the reef shows strong live coral cover and holds at least national significance as a potential biodiversity hotspot. The site, he added, could serve as a priority zone for long-term ecological monitoring and conservation planning.
Often called the “rainforests of the oceans,” coral reefs support nearly 25 per cent of all marine life. They provide shelter, breeding grounds and feeding habitats for reef fishes, invertebrates and countless marine organisms. Beyond biodiversity, coral reef structures protect shorelines by reducing wave energy, preventing coastal erosion and contributing to sediment formation that stabilises atolls like those in Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep’s reefs, like many others in the Indian Ocean, have experienced repeated coral bleaching events driven by marine heatwaves, climate change and human pressures. Large areas with strong live coral cover have become increasingly rare in recent years.
In this context, researchers say the Kalpeni reef represents a “living laboratory” for studying resilience and recovery. Continuous scientific observation at the site could help experts track coral health, monitor post-bleaching recovery, identify species that show greater resistance to heat stress, and study shifts in fish and invertebrate populations.
Such long-term data would strengthen climate resilience research and inform science-based management strategies for atoll ecosystems. The findings could also guide restoration efforts in other reef regions across India.
Scientists caution, however, that without careful management, monitoring and community involvement, even resilient reefs remain vulnerable. Protecting the newly recorded reef has been described as a conservation priority, particularly as global coral ecosystems face mounting threats.
Corals are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, with ancestors dating back more than 500 million years. Over geological time, they have survived multiple mass extinction events due to their adaptability, symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae and diverse reproductive strategies.
The discovery near Kalpeni stands as a symbol of endurance in an era of climate uncertainty. While many reefs worldwide are under severe stress, this thriving coral stretch in Lakshadweep demonstrates that healthy marine ecosystems still exist and that they can offer crucial lessons for conservation in a warming world.