Which one of the following biosphere reserves comprises islands with estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves ?

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, located off the coast of Tamil Nadu, is a unique marine ecosystem comprising 21 islands [2]. It is characterized by a diverse range of habitats including estuaries, sandy beaches, and extensive coral reefs [4]. The reserve is particularly noted for its rich marine biodiversity, featuring salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds which serve as critical habitats for the endangered Dugong [4]. While the Sundarbans are famous for mangroves and estuaries, they lack the significant coral reef formations found in the Gulf of Mannar. The Nilgiri and Nanda Devi reserves are primarily terrestrial, located in the Western Ghats and Himalayas respectively, and do not possess marine features like coral reefs or salt marshes [2]. The Gulf of Mannar was among the first Indian reserves included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves [3].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > BIOSPHERE RESERVES > p. 49
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > zoning of Biosphere reserves > p. 37
3. [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > CRZ.I > p. 54
4. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > Table 5.8 > p. 51