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Lakshadweep is one of
the worlds most spectacular tropical island systems. The precious heritage
of ecology and culture is supported by an extremely fragile ecosystem.
Committed to the cause of Eco tourism Union Territory of Lakshadweep has
consciously followed a middle path between tourism promotion and environmental
conservation.
The tiniest Union Territory
of India, Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, three
reefs and five submerged banks. It is a uni-district Union Territory with
an area of 32 Sq.Kms and is comprised of ten inhabited islands, 17 uninhabited
islands attached islets, four newly formed islets and 5 submerged reefs.
The inhabited islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat,
Bitra, Andrott, Kalpeni and Minicoy. Bitra is the smallest of all having
only a population of 225 persons (Census 1991). The uninhabited island
Bangaram has been enumerated during 1991 census operation and has a population
of 61 persons.
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There are no conclusive theories
about the formation of these coral atolls. The most accepted theory is
given by the English Evolutionist Sir Charles Darwin. He concluded in 1842
that the subsidence of a volcanic island resulted in the formation of a
fringing reef and the continual subsidence allowed this to grow upwards.
When the volcanic island became completely submerged the atoll was formed
encircling the lagoon where, with the action of the wind, waves, reef to
currents and temperature, the coral islands were formed.
Sand bags were first formed
in an atoll. They became naturally the nesting grounds for sea birds. They
continued to be their exclusive preserve till as a result of the fertilization
of the soil by their droppings ( Guano deposits), ground vegetation became
possible and man then took over, thus leaving the birds to seek another
sanctuary.
fundamentally this concept
is still valid, although many consider submerging volcanic islands is by
the melting of Pleistocene ice sheets. The fringing reefs are quickly built,
repaired and strengthened by a micro organism called polypous. The are
the architects and engineers of these atolls. The corals are the hard calcareous
skeleton of these polypous
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View entry rule HERE:
THE LACCADIVE MINICOY & AMINDIVI ISLANDS (RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY AND
RESIDENCE) RULES, 1967.
Free permit will be arranged
by 'MintValley E-Tourism' and a few information is required at the time
of booking. For detail Please click here.
1. Lakshadweep Tourism
Department’s efforts to promote eco-friendly tourism were appreciated at
international tourism Bourse held in Berlin, Germany
2. Most of our tourist
accommodation have thatched huts and tiled roof
3. All the tourism properties
have largely PVC solar streetlights. Tourists are encouraged to live in
harmony with nature.
4. Use of compact fluorescent
lamps.
5. Electric power supplied
by solar plants during the day.
6. The islanders are
educated to adopt Eco friendly way like burning of coconut husks to tackle
mosquito and pests instead of pesticide and protect the environment and
ecology. |
7. Bio-mass gasifies is proposed
to be set up at Kavaratti on an experimental basis to utilize coconut waste
and eventually generate electricity at a cheaper rate and also save the
environment from pollution.
8. A film is shown to
the tourist once they board the ship on way to Lakshadweep islands informing
them about the island, its environment, the coral reefs and its management,
the ban on picking up of corals, plastics etc. and ways to keep the islands
clean and enjoy the beauty without disturbing or destroying it.
9. Being a restricted
area entry is allowed only after issue of permits and therefore the over
crowding in the islands is easily taken care of.
10. The boats, vessels
and ships of Lakshadweep Administration especially of Lakshadweep tourism
carry the names of Island territories having great ecological value. Some
of the names are MV Thinnakara MT Suheli. Thinnakara and Suheli are uninhabited
islands in Lakshadweep archipelago and are known for their outstanding
beauty and bio-diversity. Naming the vessels as above carries the message
of ecology for all the tourists as well as islanders.
11. Fishing in Lakshadweep
is carried out by poll and line method only. It is acknowledged all over
the world that Pole and line method is most Eco friendly method of fishing
of tuna in which only mother fishes are caught and young ones as also mother
marine creatures are spared, which are unnecessarily destroyed in other
fishing methods.
12. Islanders are being
trained in Scuba diving so that they not only know about marine wealth
but also contribute in maintaining the ecology of the islands and works
as eyes and ears of the Administration.
13. Administration has
initiated steps to document the bio-diversity of the Island with the help
of M.S. Swaminathan foundation and local staff.
14. Lakshadweep Building
Development Board has been constituted to import and provide construction
materials so that local does not collect it from the Island damage the
ecology.
Golden
Triangle - with Taj Mahal - India's top tourist Destinations and
more....
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