Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Lakshadweep

Land

Land   ❯   Climate   ❯    Islands   ❯   Flora and Fauna

Islands
▪ Introduction  ▪ Androth   ▪ Agatti   ▪ Bitra   ▪ Kadmat    ▪ Kalpeni  ▪ Suheli    ▪ Kavaratti   ▪ Amini   ▪ Bangaram  ▪ Chetlat  ▪ Kiltan  ▪ Minicoy  ▪ Pitti or Pakshi Pitti

Kadmat 

Kadmat is situated at 11o13' north latitude and 72 o48' east longitude. Kadmat island which is 10 km north of Amini is 8 km long and 550 metres wide at the broadest point. There is very large lagoon on the western side abounding in coral growths. Kadmat has also a narrow lagoon on the eastern side which almost dries up at low tide. There is a growth of a narrow ridge of sand at the southern tip of the island which has been planted up. Systematic habitation of the island started in the 19th century. The inhabitants had to put up a struggle to free themselves from certain social and economic disabilities. Amine landlords claimed the entire land as their property. Kadmat people were not allowed to built their own sailing vessels and had to ship their own sailing vessels and had to ship their own sailing vessels and had to ship their produce in the Amini vessels. In the religious sphere, they were not allowed to have a Kazi to perform all religious and social functions. These disabilities were overcome gradually and by the turn of the century the inhabitants had asserted their rights. The main occupation of the people of Kadmat is coir twisting. The island is known for its lime stones used for building purposes. For Tourism options in Kadmat Click here

Kiltan

Kiltan is situated at 11o29' north latitude and 73o 00'east longitude. Kiltan lies about 50kms north-east of Amini on the international trade route between the Persian Gulf countries and Sri-Lanka. The island is only about 3kms long and 594 metres wide at broadest point. There is a high storm beach on the northern and southern ends of the island. The fierce storm which hit the island in 1965 has left a line of coral boulders on the eastern shore. The lagoon on the west is shallow and is in the process of filling up. The shallow lagoon does not allow larger boats to enter it through the passage during the low tide. Along the middle of the island is a solid like substratum and lime stones are cut for building purposes.

The island is fertile and thickly planted. The heat of the summer is unbearable and the people prefer to sleep outside on the beaches in cubicles made of cadjan leaves. Several such cubicles  can be seen lined up along the western beach during summer months.

Kalpeni

Kalpeni is situated at 10o05' north latitude and 73o39' east longitude. Kalpeni lies 76kms south of Andrott. It is 183kms from Minicoy. The island along with the satellite islets of Cheriyam, Tilakkam and Pitti lie in an extensive and shallow lagoon. The action of the sea has split the islets of Tilakkam and Pitti into several islets. From the main island of Kalpeni, storm of 1847 separated Cheriyam. A sea bank of coral stones are formed along the east and south-east shore of about 3.6 metres high and more than 17.5 metres wide at the base. It provides a natural barrier against such a disaster. A reef is formed between Cheriyam and Kalpeni in low water.

A peculiar feature of Kalpeni is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern and south-eastern shore. Kalpeni was one of the islands colonised in early times as it was on the direct route of the sailing vessels for Arabia. The Arab writers called this island "Koefaini". For Tourism options in Kalpeni Click here