LAKSHADWEEP

LAKSHADWEEP

Area : 32 sq km Population : 60,650
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 14 century. But Archaeological evidences unearthed indicate that there were Buddhist settlements around the 6 th or 7 th 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 16 th Century the Islands were driven to seek the assistance of Raja of Chirakal to help them avert establishment of Protuguese 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, 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 20 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 islands were renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973. Lakshadweep, a group of coral islands consist of 12 atolls, three reefs and submerged sand banks. Of the 27 islands, only 11 are inhabited. These lie scattered in the Arabian Sea about 280 km to 480 km off Kerala coast between 8 and 12 3’ North Latitude and 71 and 74 East Longitude.

AGRICULTURE

Coconut is the only major crop with a production of 580 lakh nuts per year. The area under cultivation is about 2,598 hectares. Lakshadweep coconut is branded as an organic product. In India, Lakshadweep stands first in coconut production and productivity per hector is 22,310 per hector and average yield per palm per year is 97 nuts. The Lakshadweep coconuts are the highest oil content nuts in the world (72 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 2006, 11,751 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 unit also function in private sector.

TRANSPORT

At present M.V. Sultan, M.V. Bharat Seema, M.V. Dweep Setu, M.V. Amindivi and M.V. Minicoy handles 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 are 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 utilised for providing bunker to inter-island ferries. Besides, the administration operates an ambulance helicopter service between the islands and to mainland and Indian Airlines connects Agatti island and Kochi daily except Sundays. The 15 years Perspective Plan for shipping requirements in UTL are approved
by the Ministry of Shipping. Government of India has recommended the acquisition of 3x150 passenger high speed vessels, 2x250 passenger cum 100 Mt Cargo ships, one 100/150 MT Oil Barge, one LPG cylinder ship, eight Landing Barges, one 400 passenger ship and two Bullard Tugs. Further, the Government of India has also sanctioned 3x50 passenger and one 15 passenger high sped inter-island feries under PMGSY scheme. Out of the above administration has placed construction orders for 3x150 passenger, 3x50 passenger and one 15 passenger high speed vessels and one 10T Bullard Tug. The Bullard Tug has been delivered on 9 May 2006 and and will be put in operation shortly. The 15 passenger and 150 passenger vessels are to be delivered by June 2007. As per the ship building contract for 2x250 passenger cum 100 MP cargo ships, the vessels are to be delivered between Dec. 2009 - 6 June 2010.

TOURIST CENTRES

Tourism is developing into an important industry. Important tourist places are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kavaratti and Minicoy, etc. 23330 Tourists visited the islands in 2006 of which 2622 are Foreign Tourists.

GOVERNMENT

Administrator : B.V. Selvaraj IAS
Jurisdiction of High Court : Falls under jurisdiction of Kerala High Court