2016-10-21 Fri

Recently, much has been said about the supposedly “dead” Great Barrier Reef in news and Social media. Obituary was also paid to the departed living creature. But situation has not as adverse, hold on and take a deep breath before you start mourning the loss of one of the most spectacular coral reefs on the planet.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. It is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space. Because of its natural beauty the reef has become one of the world’s most sought after tourist destinations.

The reef is a breeding area for humpback whales, migrating from the Antarctic and is also the habitat of a few endangered species including the Dugong (Sea Cow) and large Green Sea Turtle. In recognition of its significance, UNESCO listed the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Professor Terry Hughes of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies made a statement: ‘It’s been the saddest research trip of my life. 95 percent of the corals in this formerly pristine region are showing signs of bleaching even from the air. In the next few weeks around 50 percent of the bleached corals will probably die.’

But bleaching corals aren’t dead corals. As the water in which the coral exists gets too warm due to global warming, the algae in them become self destructive to coral itself.

As the other endangered species like Pandas, tigers even the Great Barrier Reef needs protection. Australian post in 2013 issued a series of four stamps of the Great Barrier Reef reminding of its importance as a national treasure. UNESCO in 2015 released a miniature sheet of five stamps with the theme of World Heritage Sites of South Pacific. Coral reef stamp found an important place in the sheet and also as the background.

The flora and fauna of the Great Barrier Reef is going to change dramatically and we must all join hands to save the heritage!