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Lakshadweep

Particulars	Description
Area	32 sq. km
Population	60,650
Capital	Kavaratti
Principal Languages	Malayalam, Jeseri (Dweep Bhasha) and Mahal

History and Geography

Not much is known about the early history of these islands. The islands that were 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^th 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 Portuguese domination. This enabled him to establish his authority, and later, the islands were transferred in jaggier 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^th 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 percent).

Fisheries

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 2009, 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. Kavaratti, M.V. Tipu Sultan, M.V. Bharat Seema, M.V. Minicoy, M.V. Amindivi and M.V. Dweep Setu are operating in the mainland-island sector. From 2008-09 onwards three 150 passenger high speed vessels HSC Valiyapani HSC Cheriyapani and HSC Parali are doing service in Andrott/Kochi/Beypore sector as well as in Minicoy-Kavaratti Sectors. The other inter island ferries M.V. Khadeeja Beevi, M.V. Hameedath Bee, HSC Viringili, HSC Blue Marlin, HSC Black Marlin and HSC Skipjack provide connectivity between the islands except Minicoy and Bitra and Kavaratti. The Cargo traffic in this sector are handled with four cargo largest, namely M.V. Ubaidulla, M.V. Thinnakara, M.V. Laccadives and M.V. Cheriyam. Further one oil barge M.V. Sukheli (60 MT) is being utilized for providing bunker to winter-Island ferries at Kavaratti. Two 10 Ton Bullard Tugs are also in operation for assisting berthing of smaller ships at Andrott breakwater as well as for providing bunker for the speed vessels in the absence of Oil Barges at Andrott and Minicoy. Besides, the administration operates two helicopters for evacuation of serious patients from the islands to Kavaratti as well as to mainland. The second helicopter is used for meeting the requirement of emergency law and order situation and for inter-island connectivity during monsoon season. Helicopter connectivity between Kavaratti and Agatti/Bangaram is also provided for the passengers and tourists availing Indian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines in Agatti-Kochi sector.

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 has already been procured and inducted into service. Two 250 passenger cum 100 MT cargo ships are being constructed at Colombo Dockyard, Srilanka. The first ship is to be delivered in December 2009 and the second ship in June 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 Ships 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.

Tourist Centres

A Beach

Tourism is developing into an important industry. Important tourist places are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kavaratti and Minicoy, etc. 13,115 tourists visited this year 2008-09 of which 2,852 are foreign tourists.

courtesy :official website of India.