Excerpt and Photo from downtoearth.org.in
India's national agenda for a Blue Economy emphasises the sustainable use of marine resources to drive economic growth, enhance livelihoods and strengthen ecological resilience. Recent policy frameworks highlight coastal ecosystem restoration, sustainable aquaculture, innovation-led maritime industries and the expansion of deep-sea fisheries and offshore activities. The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences coordinates this multi-sectoral effort, linked to the Deep Ocean Mission's plan for bioprospecting marine life in support of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and environmental technology.
Despite the multi-sectoral vision, systematic investment in coral-associated biodiversity is still at an early stage. Coral reef ecosystems and their associated microbial communities, collectively known as coral holobionts, are among the most diverse biological resources in Indian waters, and recent research in the Andaman corals points to untapped scientific and economic value for India's blue growth agenda.