Sandy beaches, Coral reefs and Olive ridleys.

Lakshadweep – A paradise on earth continued…………………

The islands

The Laccadive group of islands consists of Kavaratti, Agatti, Andrott, Kalpeni, Bangaram and some uninhabited islands. Amindivi group of islands consists of Amini, Kadamat, Kiltan chetlat Bitra and uninhabited islets and banks. Minicoy group consists of Minincoy and a islet called Viringili. While the Laccadive and Amindivi group of islands are located on the north of the nine degree channel, Minicoy is on the south of the channel. The channel is 200 km wide and is named so after the nine degree latitude. Most of the merchant vessels sailing towards Europe and the Gulf from South East Asia pass through this channel. The name of the islands was changed to Lakshadweep in 1973 by a constitutional act. The islands add an extra 20,000 square kilometres of territorial waters and another 400,000 square kilometres of exclusive economic zone to India. The people of the islands except Minicoy are ethnically similar to Keralites and speak the language Jeseri with minor variations from island to island in the dialect. The natives of Minicoy are somewhat similar to the people of Maldives culturally. They speak a language similar to the Maldives known as Mahl or Dwivehi. 

Flora and Fauna

Coconut palm is the most common tree in the islands and different dwarf varieties are also found here. Indian Tulip tree (“Thespesia Populnea” “cheerani” is the local name , “Poovarasan” in Tamil) and Bread Fruit tree (“chakka” in Malayalam) is also commonly found. In addition to this, different varieties of sea grass are also found in many of the islands. These are said to prevent erosion and control sediment transport. The sea grass also provides food for the Green turtles. 

Turtle feeding on sea grass

There are no big animals or birds or even crows. The number of crows found is very less and limited to some of the islands. Sea birds are limited to small uninhabited island called Pitti, it is declared as bird sanctuary. But when it comes to marine fauna it is plenty, it is very difficult to describe the abundance of life. All the islands have very healthy reefs. Most common fishes found are Parrot fish, Surgeon fish, Butterfly fish, Snappers, Trevally, Groupers, Gobies, Damsels, Clowns and Lion fish. Some of the bigger fishes include Barracudas, Giant morays, Reef sharks, Hammer head sharks etc. Other life forms are the Anemones, Sea urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Crabs, Lobsters, Hermit crabs, Sea horses, Giant Clams, Sea Turtles etc.

Olive Ridley Nesting

Straight away the hatchlings march in the direction of water

An Olive Ridley Turtle

Green turtles, Hawksbill, Olive Ridleys and Leatherback turtles are found in these areas. While Hawksbill, Olive Ridleys and Green Turtles are common and even nest here, the Leatherbacks are only in the records and are very rarely sighted. The nesting of Olive Ridleys turtles are reported to be more in numbers than the other species.

Tourism

Nand Aparajitha a cargo vessel which ran aground at Kavaratti in 2010

The islands are pristine because of its distance from the mainland coast and problems in connectivity. In recent times, the Lakshadweep administration is trying to promote tourism in some of the islands. While domestic tourism is promoted in most of the islands, the entry of foreign tourists is limited only to Agatti, Kadmat and Bangaram. Bangaram an uninhabited island until recently was being promoted as the main tourist attraction. Use of liquor was also permitted only in Bangaram, in all other islands liquor is prohibited. October to April months are best for travelling to Lakshadweep. Monsoon months are not suitable for tourism as the south west monsoon brings heavy showers and the sea will be very rough. Lakshadweep may not be a high end tourist destination as of now, however it has all the things necessary for a silent getaway from our busy lives.

Time lapse video of Sunset in Agatti, Lakshadweep