100,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Lakshadweep

Formerly Laccadive, renamed Lakshadweep (hundred thousand Islands) in 1973, is one of the most spectacular tropical Island systems. The archipelago consist of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, about 185 miles (300 km) off the Kerala coast. It consists of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks.

The atolls poised on submarine banks, harbour these islands with a total area of 32 square km (12 square miles). The islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India and the country's only coral islands.

Though the land area is extremely small, if considered its lagoon area of about 4,200 sq km, 20,000 sq km of territorial waters and about 7,00,000 sq km of economic zone, Lakshadweep is one of the largest territories of our nation.

This charming isolated destination has only 10 of its islands are inhabited. They are Minicoy, Andrott, Kavaratti, Kadmat, Agatti, Amini, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat and Bitra. Bitra is the smallest of all having only a population of 225 (1991) persons

The Islands are covered with Coconut palms which is the main cash crop here. Coir and rope making industries are still to be developed. The Coasts of the Lakshadweep Islands are abundant in Sea life.

The sea is rich in coral and fishes like Tuna, Barracuda, Sailfish, Yellow fin, Travelly, Powder Blue Surgeonfish, Porcupine fishes, Pufferfish, Moray eels, Octopus and Wahoo.

Sedentry and Slow moving creatures found on the Coral reefs are Sea Cucumbers,Molluscs and Hermit Crabs.Playful Dolphins, Turtles, Rays and Flying Fishes are occasionally seen. 


Though the ecologically is fragile, tourism has been developed to international levels around a few Islands like Bangaram, Minicoy and attracts thousands of visitors all around the world. 

Any complaint against Lakshadweep Tourism/SPORTS management?