Lakshadweep
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The source of this article
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.
