Which of the following have coral reefs? (1). Andaman and Nicobar Islands (2). Gulf of Kachchh (3). Gulf of Mannar (4). Sunderbans Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The correct answer is A (1, 2 and 3 only). Statements 1, 2 and 3 are right, and statement 4 is the odd one out.

• 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Correct. The islands have extensive fringing reefs along their coasts, and the reef systems around Rutland, Havelock and Neil islands are well studied.
• 2. Gulf of Kachchh: Correct. It has a marine national park and fringing reefs on the northern coast of Gujarat.
• 3. Gulf of Mannar: Correct. It has the richest reef diversity in India, with around 21 islands fringed by reefs, and it was India's first marine biosphere reserve (1989).
• 4. Sundarbans: Wrong. It is the world's largest mangrove forest, formed in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta. Mangroves are a different coastal ecosystem from coral reefs, and the Sundarbans has no reef formations.

The core concept is the distribution of coral reefs and mangroves in India's coastal and island ecosystems. For Mains, this links to coastal zone management under the CRZ regulations and to climate-driven coral bleaching in the Gulf of Mannar and Andaman waters.

Trap: Aspirants often pick B or D because the Sundarbans is a famous, biodiversity-rich coastal region. Remember that it is a mangrove, not a reef.