Coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially Visakhapatnam beach, is a treasure trove with many secrets hidden inside the blue waters. After centuries-old shipwrecks, scientists have now discovered rare coral reefs on the Visakhapatnam coastal line. A survey by the Zoological Survey of India found that coastal Andhra Pradesh has a vast range of coral reefs. The research was conducted by four members in collaboration with Livein Adventure at Pudimadaka, Rishikonda, Bheemili, Yarada, Kailasagiri, RK Beach, Mangamavaripeta, Sagar Nagar, Tenneti Park, and Chintapalli beach at a depth of 30 meters in the sea. Scientists have identified traces of 'Scleractinia' corals and associated faunal communities along the Andhra and Odisha coasts.The research was conducted for nine days in sub-tidal and inter-tidal areas to identify corals. Scientists collected 263 examples, among them were 1,597 examples of Mollusca, 182 examples of Cnidarians, 161 examples of sponges, 133 examples of fishes, 106 examples of Echinoderms and Crustaceans, 12 examples of Ascidians, three flatworms, and one annelid. A total of 65 examples were identified, among them 26 species of Mollusca, 10 species of Crustaceans, 13 species of fishes, and one of echinoderm were identified from the present study. The collected and identified samples were deposited in the National Zoological Collection, Sunderban Regional Center, Zoological Survey of India, Canning, West Bengal. "Coral reefs are said to help in the growth of fish. In islands, we see only one-two coral reefs, but we have rich aqua life on our coast. We can also implant special corals in other areas. This idea of implanting corals is seen in international waters. A few corals called sponges are used in cancer treatment," said Balaram of Livein Adventures.
