Why is it in the news?
Artificial reef restoration generated socio-ecological benefits worth ₹61.67 crore.
Category: Environment
Important Points:
● One of 21 islands in Gulf of Mannar
● Part of Tuticorin group of islands
● Shrunk by 92% between 1969–2015 (20 ha to 1.53 ha)
● Erosion due to coral mining, sea-level rise and reef degradation
● 10,600 artificial reef modules deployed from 2015
● Island area expanded to over 2.3 hectares
● Average 81 coral colonies per module observed
● Gulf of Mannar lies between southeastern India and western Sri Lanka