❖ Widespread bleaching impacting of coral reefs Recorded in the Lakshadweep Sea owing to marine heatwaves. 

❖ Lakshadweep islands have showed that a considerable percentage of hard coral species had undergone severe bleaching

. ❖ This is primarily due to prolonged period of marine heat waves affecting the region since late October 2023.

❖ The ongoing heat waves also threaten other critical marine habitats, including seagrass meadows.

❖ Similar to corals, seagrass meadows are experiencing detrimental impacts due to the heatwaves, such as impaired photosynthesis, reduced growth, and hindered reproductive functions.