Islands of India

There are exactly two great and major island groups of India’s physiography. They are located in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. There are numerous small and large islands, some of which are volcanic in origin and some of which are coral in origin among the Islands of Andaman and Nicobar. 

These islands’ coastlines feature coral deposits and beautiful beaches. They have equatorial vegetation and are subjected to convectional rainfall. These are mostly flat islands of India that rise only a few metres above sea level.

The city of  Port Blair is known as the capital of this territory. The islands’ total land area is approximately 8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi). The territory is divided into three districts: Nicobar, with Car Nicobar as its capital, South Andaman, with Port Blair as its capital, and North and Middle Andaman, with Mayabunder as its capital.

The Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Indian Armed Forces’ only tri-service geographical command, is based on the islands.

The Sentinelese people, an uncontacted tribe, also live on the Andaman Islands. The Sentinelese may be the only people known to have not advanced beyond a Paleolithic level of technology; however, this is debatable, as evidence of metalwork was discovered on their island. 

Check out the UPSC Notes

The Bay of Bengal Islands

• They are made up of 572 islands and are located between 6°N-14°N and 92°E-94°E
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India were formed by volcanic activity
• The northern part is known as Andaman Island, while the southern part is known as Nicobar
• The Ten Degree Channel separates them, where the Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labyrinth Island are the two main groups of this islet
• Barren Island, located in the Nicobar Islands, is India’s only active volcano
• The Arabian Sea Island Group is a group of islands in India in the Arabian Sea
• Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands are their names
• They are located near the Malabar coast (280-480 km off the coast of Kerala), between 8°N and 12°N and 71°E and 74°E
• They are entirely made of coral deposits. Minicoy is the largest of the 43 islands in India
• The entire group of islands is divided by the Eleven-degree Channel, which runs north of Amini island and south of Cannanore islands
• The storms that are made on this island beach are made up of shingles, cobbles, boulders, and pebbles

Also see: UPSC Preparation Books

Lakshadweep Islands

• Lakshadweep is a union territory of India that was previously known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands (1956–73)
• It consists of at least 12 islands that are spread over an area of 30,000 square miles, which is also approximately 78,000 square kilometres of the Arabian Sea and India’s southwest coast
• Minicoy and the Amindivi group are the primary islands in the territory
• The easternmost island is around 185 miles (300 kilometres) from the coast of Kerala
• There are people on ten of the islands
• Kavaratti is the administrative centre
• In Malayalam and Sanskrit, Lakshadweep means “Hundred Thousand Islands.” 12 square miles of land (32 square km)
• The population was 64,429 in 2011

Also read about How to Prepare for UPSC without Coaching

Some Important Islands of India

• Majuli Island

Majuli Island is located in the Indian state of Assam. It’s a large river island in the Brahmaputra. It is recognized as the biggest island in the world. Agriculture is the primary source of income for the people on the island. The island faces a serious ecological threat because of extensive soil erosion on its banks

• Sriharikota Island

 Sriharikota Island of India is located in the Nellore district of the state of Andhra Pradesh, between Pulicat Lake and the Bay of Bengal. Sriharikota is one of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s satellite launch facilities

• Abdul Kalam Island/Wheeler Island

​​Off the coast of Odisha lies Abdul Kalam Island. It is India’s most advanced missile testing facility. Long back, this island was named before an English Commandant whose name was Lieutenant Wheeler, named after an English commandant, Lieutenant Wheeler

• Pamban Island

Pamban Island is located in the Gulf of Mannar, between Sri Lanka and India, and is part of a district named Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. Rameswaram Island is another name for this Island of India. Because the majority of Pamban Island is covered in white sand, it is not suitable for cultivation.

• Diu Island

Diu Island is situated off the coast of Kathiawar. Diu Island is well-known for its historical fort and beautiful beaches

• Sagar Island 

Sagar Island is located in the Bay of Bengal’s Ganga delta. It’s a big island. It is also a significant Hindu pilgrimage site

• Halliday Island

Halliday Island is part of the Sundarbans region and is located in the state of West Bengal. It is situated on the Malta River. It is also designated as a wildlife refuge

• Phumdis/Floating Islands 

These islands are found in the state of Manipur. It is located within the Keibul Lamjao National Park. It is well-known for its Eld’s deer/Sangai

Conclusion 

Island ecosystems also help to maintain ecosystem functions: they protect against natural disasters, promote nutrient cycling, and soil and sand formation, and help to regulate climate and diseases. However, island biodiversity is important for more than just island dwellers