Geography Of Lakshadweep

Location Of Lakshadweep 

Lakshadweep or “one hundred thousand islands” is an archipelago in the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean, 200 to 440 km off India’s south-western coast. Lakshadweep is a Union Territory in India and governed by the Indian Government. Kavaratti is the capital of this Union Territory.  coast. Lakshadweep is a Union Territory in India and governed by the Indian Government. Kavaratti is the capital of this Union Territory. 

The Lakshadweep archipelago is composed of 12 atolls, 3 reefs, five submerged banks, and a total of 39 islets and islands. 10 of its islands are inhabited, 17 are uninhabited. Kavaratti, Amini, Minicoy, and Agatti are the main islands of Lakshadweep.

Climate Of Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep experiences a tropical climate with little variance in temperature between summer and winter. The average temperatures ranges from 27° C to 32° C. April and May are the hottest months of the year. The southwest monsoon has the region under its influence from June to October and the average rainfall of 10-40 mm is received during this period. Rainfall decreases from the south to north. An average of 80-90 days in Lakshadweep are classified as rainy days each year. Humidity high for most of the year and ranges between 70% and 76%. In winter, the temperature ranges between 20^oC to 32^oC. The best time to visit the Lakshadweep islands is from October to March.

Soil Of Lakshadweep

The fragmentation of sedimentary rocks and coral limestones have contributed to the formation of soil in the Lakshadweep islands. The soil along the seashore is white in color and in the interiors is ash colored. The soil is calcium rich due to the limestone content of the soil.

State Symbols Of Lakshadweep

State Animal: Butterfly Fish

State Bird: Noddy Tern

State Tree: Bread Fruit

Type Of Vegetation Of Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep lacks endemic flora and forest cover is also absent in this Union Territory of India. Nearly 400 species of flowering plants grow in Lakshadweep including three species of sea grasses, fungi, lichens, algae, and angiosperms. Coastal shrubs and coconut groves grow in the coral sands.

Fauna Of Lakshadweep

Cattle and poultry birds are the common fauna observed in the inhabited islands of the archipelago. The domesticated cat is the only animal of the family Carnivora found in Lakshadweep. Mice are the only terrestrial mammalian species found in the wild. Though life on land is less varied that in the waters and coral reefs around Lakshadweep teems with a great diversity of aquatic and semi-aquatic fauna. 600 species of marine fishes, 52 crabs species, 78 coral species, 2 species of lobsters, 12 bivalve species, and 48 species of gastropods inhabit the coastal waters of Lakshadweep. 

A large number of birds (101 species) can be sighted in the region. Pitti Island in the archipelago has been declared a bird sanctuary. Some of the notable birds that can be spotted here include lesser crested tern, brown noddy, greater crested tern, reef heron

Terrestrial snakes are uncommon on the island but coral snakes might be sighted in the coral reefs of the island. A few species of sea turtles and amphibians can be spotted here.

Protected Areas Of Lakshadweep

Pitti (Bird Island) Wildlife Sanctuary