What makes Lakshadweep a Coral Island?

Did you know that Lakshadweep is the only coral island in India and one of the few marvels left untouched by industrialization and progress? Lakshadweep, which means “one hundred thousand islands” in Malayalam, is a group of 36 islands in the Arabian Sea, about 200-440 km off the coast of Kerala . Lakshadweep has a rich and diverse history, culture, and natural heritage, and is a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the pristine beauty and tranquility of this island paradise . In this post, I will explain what makes Lakshadweep a coral island and why it is important to preserve its natural beauty and biodiversity. What makes Lakshadweep a coral island, do you know? Let's find out.

 

What is a coral island and how is it formed?

A coral island is an island that is made up of coral reefs, which are structures composed of the skeletons of tiny marine animals called corals. Corals are living organisms that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues and provide them with food and oxygen through photosynthesis. Corals also secrete calcium carbonate, which forms the hard skeleton that protects them and gives them their shape and color.

Coral reefs are formed when corals grow on the edges of volcanic islands or continental shelves, where they can get enough sunlight and nutrients from the water. Over millions of years, the corals build up layers of calcium carbonate, creating a complex and diverse ecosystem that supports thousands of species of fish, invertebrates, plants, and other marine life. Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” because of their high biodiversity and productivity.

A coral island is formed when the volcanic island or the continental shelf sinks or erodes, leaving behind the coral reef as a ring-shaped structure around a central lagoon. This ring-shaped structure is called an atoll, and it can have one or more openings or channels that connect the lagoon to the open sea. The coral reef acts as a natural barrier that protects the lagoon and the island from waves and storms, creating a calm and clear environment for the islanders and marine life.

 

What are the features and characteristics of Lakshadweep as a coral island?

Lakshadweep is a coral island that has all the features and characteristics of an atoll, such as its shape, size, lagoon, reef, marine life, and vegetation . Some of the features and characteristics of Lakshadweep as a coral island are:

• Shape and size: Lakshadweep is a circular or oval-shaped island that ranges from 0.1 to 4.8 sq km in area . The total area of the 36 islands is about 32 sq km, which is less than 0.01% of India’s land area . The largest island is Andrott, which is 4.8 sq km, and the smallest is Bitra, which is 0.1 sq km . The islands are separated by distances of 2 to 200 km, and the total length of the coastline is about 132 km .

• Lagoon: Lakshadweep has a lagoon that covers an area of about 4,200 sq km, which is more than 100 times the area of the islands . The lagoon is a shallow and clear body of water that has an average depth of 10 to 15 m, and a maximum depth of 40 m . The lagoon is home to a variety of marine life, such as fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks, rays, and sea cucumbers . The lagoon is also a source of livelihood for the islanders, who depend on fishing, pearl culture, and seaweed farming .

• Reef: Lakshadweep has a reef that surrounds the lagoon and the islands, forming a natural barrier that protects them from the waves and currents of the Arabian Sea . The reef is composed of different types of corals, such as branching, massive, encrusting, and foliose corals . The reef is also a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, such as corals, fish, invertebrates, plants, and algae . The reef is a valuable resource for the islanders, who use it for tourism, recreation, and education .

• Marine life: Lakshadweep has a rich and diverse marine life that includes more than 600 species of fish, 78 species of corals, 82 species of seaweeds, 101 species of birds, and 12 species of mammals . Some of the marine life that can be found in Lakshadweep are:

• Fish: Lakshadweep has a variety of fish, such as tuna, mackerel, sardine, anchovy, snapper, grouper, parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, and clownfish . Some of the fish are endemic to Lakshadweep, such as the Lakshadweep damselfish, the Lakshadweep butterflyfish, and the Lakshadweep parrotfish . Some of the fish are also endangered or threatened, such as the humphead wrasse, the Napoleon fish, and the whale shark .

• Corals: Lakshadweep has a variety of corals, such as staghorn coral, brain coral, mushroom coral, table coral, and fire coral . Some of the corals are endemic to Lakshadweep, such as the Lakshadweep coral, the Lakshadweep acropora, and the Lakshadweep pocillopora . Some of the corals are also endangered or threatened, such as the elkhorn coral, the blue coral, and the organ pipe coral .

• Seaweeds: Lakshadweep has a variety of seaweeds, such as red algae, green algae, brown algae, and blue-green algae . Some of the seaweeds are edible, such as Gracilaria, Gelidiella, and Hypnea . Some of the seaweeds are also used for medicinal, industrial, or cosmetic purposes, such as Sargassum, Turbinaria, and Caulerpa .

• Birds: Lakshadweep has a variety of birds, such as terns, gulls, noddies, frigatebirds, and boobies . Some of the birds are endemic to Lakshadweep, such as the Lakshadweep swiftlet, the Lakshadweep white-eye, and the Lakshadweep bulbul . Some of the birds are also endangered or threatened, such as the Nicobar pigeon, the sooty tern, and the brown noddy .

• Mammals: Lakshadweep has a variety of mammals, such as dolphins, whales, dugongs, seals, and bats . Some of the mammals are endemic to Lakshadweep, such as the Lakshadweep flying fox, the Lakshadweep shrew, and the Lakshadweep rat . Some of the mammals are also endangered or threatened, such as the spinner dolphin, the blue whale, and the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin .

• Vegetation: Lakshadweep has a variety of vegetation, such as coconut palms, pandanus, screwpine, breadfruit, jackfruit, and banana . Some of the vegetation are endemic to Lakshadweep, such as the Lakshadweep cycad, the Lakshadweep fern, and the Lakshadweep orchid . Some of the vegetation are also endangered or threatened, such as the Lakshadweep ebony, the Lakshadweep sandalwood, and the Lakshadweep mangrove. The flora of Lakshadweep is rich and diverse, reflecting the unique ecological and cultural heritage of the islands.

 

What are the benefits and challenges of Lakshadweep as a coral island?

Lakshadweep as a coral island has many benefits and challenges, such as its tourism potential, environmental threats, and conservation efforts. Some of the benefits and challenges of Lakshadweep as a coral island are:

• Tourism potential: Lakshadweep as a coral island has a high tourism potential, as it offers a unique and attractive destination for visitors who want to enjoy the scenic beauty, serene atmosphere, and adventurous activities of the island

• Environmental threats: Lakshadweep as a coral island faces many environmental threats, such as climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Climate change causes sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, which affect the stability and health of the island and the reef . Pollution from sewage, solid waste, oil spills, and agricultural runoff contaminates the water and the soil, and harms marine life and vegetation . Overexploitation from fishing, tourism, and development depletes the natural resources and damages the ecosystem and the culture of the island .

• Conservation efforts: Lakshadweep as a coral island has many conservation efforts, such as legal protection, community participation, and scientific research. Legal protection includes the declaration of Lakshadweep as a Union Territory, a Biosphere Reserve, and a Marine Protected Area, which regulate the use and management of the island and the reef . Community participation involves the involvement and empowerment of the local people, who are the custodians and beneficiaries of the island and the reef, in the conservation and development activities . Scientific research includes the monitoring and assessment of the status and trends of the island and the reef, and the identification and implementation of the best practices and solutions for the conservation and restoration of the island and the reef .

 

Conclusion 

Lakshadweep is a coral island that offers a unique and diverse ecosystem, rich in natural and cultural heritage. However, it also faces many challenges from climate change, pollution, and overexploitation, which require urgent and sustainable solutions. If you are interested in visiting Lakshadweep, make sure to follow the green tourism guidelines and respect the local customs and traditions. You can also support the local communities and conservation initiatives by donating or volunteering. What are your thoughts on Lakshadweep as a coral island? Have you ever visited or would you like to visit this paradise on earth?