Andhra Pradesh’s coral presence along Visakhapatnam coast recognized in scientific journal

In a first, the Andhra Pradesh coastline has been formally recognised for its coral presence in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, marking a significant addition to India’s marine biodiversity records. The study, published recently in the Environmental Science Archives, identifies and details coral communities along the Visakhapatnam coast.

The paper, titled ‘Diversity and Distribution of Coral Community from Visakhapatnam Coast, Andhra Pradesh,’ is a joint research effort of a team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in collaboration with B Balaram Naidu, a former naval submariner and founder of Livein Adventures, an ocean exploration and adventure training organisation based in the Port City.

Until now, India’s documented coral ecosystems were largely confined to the Gulf of Mannar, the Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar archipelagos, and the Gulf of Kutch. The confirmation of live coral presence along the Andhra coast represents a significant geographical extension of known coral habitats in the country. According to the research team, the highest live coral cover was found near Chintapalle Beach, with observations showing nearly 23 percent live coverage in certain survey areas.

The survey relied on scuba diving expeditions and underwater digital imaging to collect visual and physical data. The field support and regional mapping was coordinated by Balaram Naidu. The study was conducted at 15 sites along the Visakhapatnam coast from Pudimadaka to Chintapalle between 2019 and 2023. The documentation process included multiple survey dives along various locations of the Andhra coastline, where coral patches had been noted in recent years but had never been studied or published.

Speaking about the discovery, Naidu described the publication as a formal acknowledgement of Andhra Pradesh’s often-overlooked marine diversity. “This is a critical validation of what many of us along the coast have observed for years,” he said.

The research was conducted by ZSI scientists Joseph Stanley Yogesh Kumar, N Marimuthu, Tamal Mondal, Arya Sen, Pradip Panda and Chelladurai Raghunathan, in coordination with Naidu.

The inclusion of Visakhapatnam in India’s coral zones is likely to have long-term implications for marine conservation policy and biodiversity monitoring along the Bay of Bengal. Environmental experts say the discovery should compel a revision of current conservation frameworks for India’s eastern coastline, which have historically received limited scientific attention compared to the western and island territories.

According to the researchers, the coral habitats off Visakhapatnam are relatively shallow, which makes them accessible for study but also particularly vulnerable to coastal activity, pollution and rising sea temperatures. Following the baseline assessment, consistent monitoring, protective regulation and public engagement need to be emphasised, they said.

The publication arrives at a time when discussions around sustainable coastal development and marine protection are gaining ground at both State and national levels. Researchers involved in the study argue that Andhra Pradesh’s inclusion in the national coral profile should trigger expanded funding, more rigorous policy scrutiny and educational outreach initiatives, particularly in local fishing and coastal communities.

While the study provides the first published scientific confirmation of coral presence, researchers stress that further work is needed to understand the full scope of biodiversity supported by these formations.

The paper is currently available under the ‘Recently Published’ section on the Environmental Science Archives website and is expected to influence upcoming environmental planning initiatives related to the Bay of Bengal’s marine corridor.