Which gulf in Gujarat, India, is known for coral reefs and mangroves?

The gulf in Gujarat known for coral reefs and mangroves is the Gulf of Kutch. It is an inlet of the Arabian Sea between the Kutch Peninsula to the north and the Saurashtra Peninsula to the south, on India’s western coast.

The gulf’s sheltered shores contain mudflats, creeks, islands, coral reefs and mangrove forests. Its unusually large tidal fluctuations expose broad intertidal areas and help shape habitats for fish, molluscs, turtles and other marine life. The region supports fringing, platform and patch reefs, including coral pinnacles.

The Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park and Sanctuary was established in 1980 to protect this coastal ecosystem. It includes 42 islands and extensive intertidal areas, with Pirotan Island among its best-known sites. Conservation has faced pressure from industrial development, dredging, sediment, shipping and climate change.

Gulf of Khambhat is another major Gujarat inlet, but it lies farther south and is especially associated with strong tides and sediment. The Gulf of Mannar, by contrast, is on India’s southeastern coast, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.