Lakshadweep
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INDIA 2012
A REFERENCE ANNUAL
Compiled by
RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Lakshadweep
Area : 32 sq km
Population : 60,650 (2001 Census)
Capital : Kavaratti
Principal Language : Jeseri (Dweep Bhasha) and Mahal
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
Not much is known of the early history of these Islands. The Islands supposed to have been inhabited first are Amini, Andrott, Kavaratti and Agatti. It was earlier believed that the islanders were originally Hindus and later converted to Islam under the influence of Arab traders sometime in the 14th century. But Archaeological evidences unearthed indicate that there were Buddhist settlements around the 6th or 7th century. Earliest Muslim converts or settlers pre-date the year 139 AH of the Hijra year (eighth century) of which period grave stones have recently been discovered in Agatti. This would tend to bear out the traditional belief that Islam was brought to the Island by Arab Saint, Ubaidulla in 41 AH.
Probably independent till 16th century the Islands were driven to seek the assistance of Raja of Chirakal to help them avert establishment of Portuguese domination. This enabled him to establish his authority and, later, the Islands were transferred in jaggeer to Ali Raja, head of Moplah community in Cannanore (Now in Kerala), who later became an independent ruler himself. The Arakkal rule was not popular and in 1787, Tipu Sultan acceded to the petitions of the Northern Islands to annex these Islands. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, the Islands were passed to East India Company but continued to be ruled de facto by the rulers of Cannanore till their ultimate annexation by the British in the early 20th century. In 1956, the islands were constituted into a single territory, and since then, have been directly administered by the Union Government through an Administrator. The Laccadives, Minicoy and Amindivi group of iIslands were renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973.
Lakshadweep, a group of coral Islands, consists of 12 atolls, three reefs and submerged sand banks. Of the 36 islands, only 11 are inhabited. These lie scattered in the Arabian Sea about 280 km to 480 km off Kerala coast between 8o and 12o 3’ North Latitude and 71o and 74o East Longitude.
AGRICULTURE
Coconut is the only major crop with a production of 553 lakh nuts per year. The area under cultivation is about 2,689 hectare. Lakshadweep coconut is branded as an organic product. In India, Lakshadweep stands first in coconut production and productivity per hectare is 20,500 and average yield per palm per year is 82 coconuts. The Lakshadweep coconuts are the highest oil content nuts in the world (82 per cent).
FISHERIES
Fishing is another major activity. The sea around the island is highly productive.
The islands stand first in the country in per capita availability of fish. During 2010, 12,284 tonnes of fish have been landed in this U.T.
INDUSTRIES
Coconut fibre extraction and conversion into fibre products is the main industry in the Islands. Under Government Sector, there are seven coir fibre factories, five coir production-cum-demonstration centres and seven fibre curling units, functioning under coir sector. These units produced coir fibre and coir yarn in addition to other coir products like curled fibre, corridor mat, mat and mattings. A few coir twisting units also function in private sector.
TRANSPORT
At present M.V. Kavaratti, M.V. Arabian Sea, M.V. Bharat Seema, M.V. Dweep Setu, M.V. Amindivi and M.V. Minicoy handle the passenger traffic in mainland Island and inter-island sector. Two inter-island ferry vessels M.V. Khadeeja Beevi and M.V. Hameedath Bee provide connectivity between the islands except Minicoy Island with Kavaratti as base port. The cargo traffic in this sector is handled with four cargo barges namely M.V. Ubaidulla, M.V. Thinnakara, M.V. Lacadives and M.V. Cheriyam. Further one Oil Barge M.V. Suheli (60 MT) is being utilized for providing bunker to inter island ferries. Besides, the Administration operates an ambulance helicopter service between the islands and to mainland and airline connects Agatti island and Kochi daily except Sundays.
The 15 years Perspective Plan for shipping requirements in UTL are approved by Ministry of Shipping in December 2000. Among the 18 new ships recommended by the above plan, three 150 passenger high speed crafts and two 10 Ton Bullard Tugs have already been procured and inducted into service. One 15 passenger and three 50 passenger high speed vessels were also sanctioned by Government of India under PMGSY which have already been procured and inducted into service. Two 250 passenger cum 100 MT Cargo Ships have been constructed at Colombo Dockyard, Srilanka. The first ship was "Arabian Sea" delivered in January 2010 and pressed into service. The second ship "Lakshadweep Sea" was inducted into service in 2010. Six 200 passenger Landing Barges are also being constructed at Vipul Shipyard, Goa. Apart from the above vessels, two Landing Barges, one Oil Barge and one LPG Ship are also recommended by the committee for which tenders are being finalized by SCI. Proposal has also been submitted to Ministry of Shipping for approval of EFC for acquisition of one 400 passenger ship.
GOVERNMENT
Administrator : Shri Amar Nath
Jurisdiction of High Court : Falls under
Jurisdiction of Kerala High Court
TOURIST CENTRES
As in 2012
Tourism is developing into an important industry. Important tourist places are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kavaratti and Minicoy, etc.
2018: 12 islands to be opened to tourists
Swati Mathur, 12 Lakshadweep islands to be opened to tourists, July 1, 2018: The Times of India
From: Swati Mathur, 12 Lakshadweep islands to be opened to tourists, July 1, 2018: The Times of India
Thinking of white sands, clear lagoons, coral reefs and five star luxury resorts? If Maldives comes to mind, think again. Your next tropical island holiday could be closer home than you had imagined.
Lakshadweep, the tropical archipelago off India’s west coast, is readying to welcome more tourists to its pristine shores. On Saturday, PM Narendra Modi reviewed the holistic development of islands even as the government moves to open up 12 Lakshadweep islands, some as yet off limits, for tourists and give a leg up to niche tourism in Lakshadweep.
The islands that have been taken up for development include Minicoy, Bangaram, Suheli, Cherium, Tinnakara, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat and Bitra. Director of tourism in Lakshadweep Balram Meena told TOI, “Since Lakshadweep is an ecologically sensitive area, great care has been taken in planning the measures. Lakshadweep has immense potential for growth, but we have observed that over the years, tourist influx has somewhat stagnated. Current effort is not only to ramp up tourism, but to also open up the island cluster to public, private and public-private partnership mode of investments to create more employment for Lakshadweep islanders.”
In a bid to ease traffic, the tourism ministry, Niti Aayog and the home ministry have said the Restricted Area Permit regime will be relaxed for tourism promotion in Lakshadweep. A public-private partnership package has been developed, as part of which
the island administration has begun inviting eco-friendly resorts and scuba diving centres.
To ensure that no ecological damage comes to the islands, the administration, as part of the Island Managament Plan, has finalised suitability reports for each island, and also specified carrying capacity in each case. “Every island will have its unique features, from fishing to agriculture and development of medicinal plants... we want to showcase Lakshadweep as a jewel in India’s crown,” Meena said.
Three public-private partnership projects in Suheli, Minicoy and Kadmat are ready to be launched. The government said an investment of over Rs 300 crore is expected from the private sector after these projects are implemented. “Preference will be given to local people for employment,” an island official said.
Services the government said it was looking to improve over the months include modern jetties, air, road and web
connectivity, good quality drinking water to residents and ensuring regular power supply. Tuna fishing, regarded as heavily underdeveloped in Lakshadweep, will be promoted as part of measures to improve livelihoods in Lakshadweep. During the PM’s review of the development initiatives, it was suggested that ‘Lakshadweep Tuna’ should be developed as a brand, and officials should also consider the possibility of seaweed cultivation to promote local employment.
To ensure that no ecological damage comes to the islands, the administration has finalised suitability reports for each island, and also specified their carrying capacity
