About Great Barrier Reef

• The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres over an area of approximately 3.4 lakh square kilometres.
• It is found in the northeastern coast of Australia.
• It has a geological history going back an estimated 23 million years to the Miocene epoch, and has survived many challenges.
• It has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site List since 1981.
• It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

Why in News?

• A UN panel has recommended that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef should be listed as a world heritage site that is in danger. It said, the world’s biggest coral reef ecosystem was significantly impacted by climate change and warming of oceans.

reference:

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=UN-panel-recommends-Australia%26%2339%3bs-Great-Barrier-Reef-be-put-on-in-danger-list&id=451521