The Disregarded Ecological Potential: The curious case of Lakshadweep

Amidst the territorial struggle of India in the contemporary times, the national administration often tends to ignore the potential of sustainable development beneath the power projection race with equivalent emerging contenders. The archipelagos in the Indian Ocean region falls under the Union Territories, but suffers from lack of development majorly due to their geographical location and lack of adequate economic and developmental resources. The requirement is further aggravated by the rise in natural calamities over the past two decades in the wake of climate change phenomena. Compared to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep is the most vulnerable in terms of ecology and economy.

Out of 36 small and scattered islands located in about 200 – 400 km from the south Indian state of Kerala, only 10 are inhabited mainly by the Amindive group and Laccadive group. The other one called the Minicoy island has a separate standing in the archipelago. The islands have predominantly a combination of descendants of Hindus and Sunni Muslims having claimed to migrate and settle there around 9^th century to 11^th century AD from Malabar coast. Nevertheless, to mention that the island has preserved the matrilineal culture (i.e. society is identified with matrilineal line of descendants instead of patriarchy) that forms a significant part of its rich history. It is surrounded by lagoons of around 4200 sq. kms., coupled with the territorial waters of around 20000 sq. kms. Additionally, it consists an area of 4,00,000 sq. kms. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The major economic activity of Lakshadweep depends on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. However, both fall victim of the deteriorating ecology in and around the archipelago.

The main agricultural produce is coconut, that tends to fall prey of the market volatility for single most concentration. As regards fisheries, Tuna is found in abundance for domestic consumption and exports. However, the current exploitation of the fisheries resources is claimed to secure only 10% of the actual potential in the absence of adequate and rapid investments and promotion from the mainland. The tourism industry is also under threat partially due to restriction on the permits by the Indian government to avoid environmental degeneration consequent to pressure on the islands by overcrowding. The other partiality lies with the threat of tsunamis, fresh water scarcity and coral bleaching. These sensitive situations may be considered as potential opportunities for investment in infrastructure for once they are developed may serve as the grand revenue generator for India like that of Mauritius and Maldives. Further, from the strategic point of view, Lakshadweep may serve to be one of the crucial positions for India in the Arabian sea for trade and security development. Thus, Indian administration should make it a priority to promote investments and channel the economic and scientific resources to preserve the deteriorating ecology of Lakshadweep Islands in order to make the territorial integrity more sustainable than vulnerable.

Binita Kumari

Adjunct Researcher

AGA

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