Lakshadweep Island: The Coral Paradise and Serene Beauty

Introduction:
The Union Territory of India, Lakshadweep, comprises an archipelago of 36 islands. These islands are divided into three subgroups: the Laccadive Islands situated in the middle, the Amindivi Islands to the north, and the atoll of Minicoy to the south.

Geographical Features: Lakshadweep lies between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Laccadive Sea to the east. The islands are located approximately 220–440 km (140–270 mi) off the Malabar Coast of mainland India. They occupy a position along the Lakshadweep–Maldives–Chagos group of islands, which constitute the summits of the Chagos-Lakshadweep Ridge, a vast undersea mountain range..

Island Subgroups:

• Laccadive Islands: Central group of islands.
• Amindivi Islands: Located to the north, separated approximately by the 11th parallel north.
• Minicoy: Southernmost atoll, separated by the Nine Degree Channel along the 9th parallel north.

Administration: The entire union territory is administered as a single district, with Kavaratti serving as its capital.

• Flora: The islands of Lakshadweep boast a rich diversity of flora, including coconut palms, screw pines, breadfruit trees, and tropical shrubs. The coconut palm is particularly abundant and plays a significant role in the economy and culture of the islands.
• Fauna: The marine life around Lakshadweep is diverse and vibrant, with coral reefs supporting a plethora of marine species. These include various types of fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and crustaceans. The islands are also home to a variety of bird species, including seabirds and migratory birds.
• Climate: Lakshadweep experiences a tropical monsoon climate, bordering on a tropical savanna climate. The weather remains warm throughout the year, with temperatures typically ranging from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius.
• Monsoons: The islands are influenced by the southwest monsoon, which brings heavy rainfall from June to September. The northeast monsoon, from October to November, also contributes to the precipitation on the islands.
• Cyclones: Although tropical cyclones arising in the Arabian Sea rarely make direct landfall on the islands due to their smaller size, the winds and waves associated with these cyclones can still have a considerable impact. They may cause alterations in the features of the islands and pose challenges to the local population.

• Karavatti Island : One of the most developed Laccadive islands, Kavaratti is coral paradise. The supervising tourism board offers two packages called ‘Coral Reef’ and ‘Taratashi’. 
• Minicoy Island : The island lies the furthest from others in the southernmost part of Lakshadweep with Viringili. Locally called Maliku, the island is situated close to 90 Channel, one of the busiest shipping ports in the Arabian Sea.
• Agatti : Boasting a 25 km lagoon area and total expanse of 3.3 km sq. Agatti is the only island with an airport that makes travelling to Lakshadweep extremely convenient. It is one of the few inhabited islands of the archipelago.
• Kadmath : The tear-drop shaped Kadmath atoll is part of the Amindivi subgroup of islands and is longest in the band. The islet is home to stunning coral reefs with seagrass and marine turtles that nestle and breed here.
• Banagaram: A 20-minute speed boat ride from Agatti island, the Banagaram atoll thread includes tiny islands of Thinnakara, South Bangaram City, Pirili 1 and Pirili 2. The teardrop-shaped island is linked to Agatti with a shallow underwater ridge.

Image Gallery