Annual Plan 1978-79 Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep

Abstract

Ten inhabited, and twelve uninhabited coral islands and five attached islets lying scattered in the Arabian Sea, about 200 to 400 kilometres off the Kerala coast, constitute the Union territory of Lakshadweep. The islands are identical in structure and formation rising not more than about 10 metres above the sea. There are shallow lagoons on the western side encircled by coral reefs, beyond which lies the deep sea. On the eastern side, the slope is very abrupt and in some cases the hundred fathom line is found hardly 150 metres from the shore. There are no hills, mountains, lakes or forest. The total area of the islands is 28 square kilometres and the population as per the 1971 Census is 31,810. The local inhabitants are all classified as Scheduled Tribes.