In India, coral reefs are notably found near which of the following coastal locations?

Introduction / Context:

Coral reefs are biologically rich marine ecosystems that grow in clear, warm, shallow waters. In India, they are found in a few specific regions and are often highlighted in questions on environment and coastal geography. Being able to identify which coastal locations have coral reefs and which do not helps in understanding marine biodiversity and conservation zones along the Indian coastline.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options are Rameswaram, Trivandrum, the coast of Odisha, and Waltair.
• We know that India has coral reefs near the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Lakshadweep, and parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Rameswaram lies close to the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay region in Tamil Nadu.
• The other three locations are coastal but are not as well known for prominent coral reef formations.

Concept / Approach:

The important concept is that coral reefs require specific environmental conditions: warm temperatures, clean water, and suitable substrate. In India, one of the major reef areas is in the Gulf of Mannar, near Rameswaram along the south eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. This region hosts fringing reefs and rich marine life. While Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) is a coastal city in Kerala and Odisha has an extensive coastline, they are not famous in exam literature for coral reefs. Waltair is a locality in Visakhapatnam and again is not a recognised reef site. Therefore, Rameswaram is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Coral reef descriptions in textbooks often include the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park near Rameswaram, emphasising its fringing reefs and diverse marine life. Maps highlighting coral reef distribution in India clearly show patches off the Tamil Nadu coast near Rameswaram. In contrast, the south west coast near Trivandrum and the east coast near Odisha do not appear as major reef hotspots in these diagrams. This confirms that Rameswaram is the correct answer for reef presence among the listed options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes assume that any warm coastal area might have coral reefs and may guess based on familiarity with city names. Another pitfall is forgetting that coral reefs in India are concentrated in a few specific areas, not along the entire coastline. To avoid mistakes, remember the main clusters: Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, and the Gulf of Mannar near Rameswaram.

Final Answer:

Coral reefs in India are notably found near Rameswaram on the Tamil Nadu coast.