English: Acropora species of coral
As I settled into Ithatha’s tranquil seaside home on Kadmat island, a typical Lakshadweep afternoon unfolded before me. Under the purple and crimson skies, with the comforting aroma of Itata’s hot black tea, we savored mouthwatering local homemade snacks. Lost in the beauty of this natural spectacle, my fingers found their way to a peculiar treat among the snacks—a set of long sticks, each adorned with sharp, pointy textures from every angle. Intrigued, I turned to Ithatha, “What do you call this snack?” Without hesitation, she replied, “Bara.” In that instant, a cascade of memories surged within me, whisking me away to the day when bara had been my unforeseen savior.
I was in Agatti, knee-deep in snorkeling surveys along the southwest fringes of the Agatti billam which monitor the chaala numbers —a key component ensuring there were ample baitfish to sustain pole and line tuna fishing in the islands. As I surveyed the baitfish, a sudden, powerful surge of waves disrupted my track. The tides were in motion, unleashing formidable waves that tossed me about like a cork in the sea. In that moment, my instincts guided me to seek refuge behind a thicket of Acropora coral or bara (in jeseri). The fishes, like myself, too, sought safety from the relentless forces of the surging waves amidst the intricate branches and roots of the lagoonal bara.
Acropora, also known as staghorn or table corals, are not just beautiful marine formations; they are the guardians of Lakshadweep’s islands. Their intricate branching patterns serve as defenses against the might of the waves. As waves approach a coral reef, the bara helps break up the wave’s energy, diminishing its strength and reducing its height before it reaches the islands. Along with other coral species like Porites, Favia, and Favites, bara, one of the fastest-growing, dominate the Lakshadweep islands.
This is how I recall the bara – an integral element of Lakshadweep’s fragile coral ecosystem that served as the muse for a traditional island snack.
Paccha Chala living with Acropora
Boadi Chaala Amid Bara
Bara Corals in the Lagoons of Agatti