Ways of destroying coral reefs in HIkkaduwa Sri Lanka

Coral reefs are destroyed by both natural causes and human activity. Accordingly, the last two decades have seen the destruction of a large number of coral reefs around Sri Lanka's seas.

Destruction of corals by natural causes

Coral formation occurs under specific temperature conditions. That is why temperature changes affect their growth. El Niිනo in 1998 caused sea level rise near the equator. As a result, the corals were bleached. Coral reefs are usually brightly colored, and the algae that live within them are destroyed by high temperatures. The extinction of the algae causes the coral to become transparent, exposing its white texture. By continuing the above process, the coral dies. In addition to the above, the other natural cause of coral destruction in Sri Lanka was the 2004 tsunami disaster. The tsunami hit the corals, causing extensive physical damage.

Destruction of coral reefs due to human activities

Fishing with dynamite can cause serious damage to coral reefs. The vibration caused by the use of dynamite causes the corals to crumble and be destroyed. Also, when anchors are used to stop mechanical boats, the anchors of the boats sink to the seabed, causing the corals to erode and break. In addition, some groups break coral in order to obtain lime and sell it to tourists. Furthermore, floods caused by human activities cause a large amount of silt to flow into the ocean. The silt that accumulates in the oceans is deposited in muddy coral reefs, which impedes coral growth.

Environmental and economic impact of coral reef destruction

Coastal erosion is common due to the destruction of coral reefs. Therefore, the government has to spend a lot for coastal conservation. Also, fish populations may be declining due to imbalances in the food chain caused by the destruction of coral reefs. This has the potential to inactivate the fishing industry. The destruction of coral reefs also indirectly affects the tourism industry. Usually foreign tourists come in large numbers to see the coral reefs. But if the corals are destroyed, the country will lose a lot of money due to them. To minimize the environmental and economic damage caused by coral reefs, legislation should be enacted to prevent harmful human activities. Properly covered, it will withstand a great deal of adverse conditions.