Several dive sites at marine parks in Malaysia including the top diving destinations in the world — Pulau Tioman in Pahang and Pulau Redang in Te­­rengganu – have been temporarily closed due to coral bleaching.

Divers and snorkellers are barred from the dive sites until the end of October to protect the corals which have turned white due to global warming.

Each year about 500,000 tourists, including foreigners, visit each of the marine parks.

Environmental groups have lauded the move to close the dive sites temporarily, saying there is a need to allow the country’s corals to recover.

They also cautioned that human activities and current climatic condition would have an impact on the reefs.

Source : thestar.com.my