The recent row between India and Maldives sparked by PM Modi’s visit to the island followed by the display of aesthetic and scenic beauty of the Lakshadweep in the shared pictures, has put Indian Islands in the limelight.
The shared pictures of PM Modi strolling on the sides of one of the beaches of Lakshadweep and reading or making notes for something fromhis mac book, has made us all feel craving for the peaceful and scenic aura of islands.
The geo-political controversy ignited by the row and the ongoing scathing comparison between the two has put ‘islands as a top spot for tourists’ in limelight again for people willing to fled to these peaceful plates of Earth from the daily hustle-bustle.
Continuing with the trend of #ExploreIndianIslands, this article by UrgeTimes takes you into the top 10 islands of India that you must visit have you been influenced by the sudden urge to visit and witness our Indian beauty.
Havelock Island in the Andaman
If you want a real island experience, Swaraj Deep, formerly known as Havelock Island, is a once-in-a-lifetime type of excursion. Rich in vegetation, it provides tranquil beach experiences, a range of water activities, and excursions through tropical forests. Swaraj Deep, once known for its swimming elephants, is now known for its serene sands and waters. Elephant Beach, where giants swam and learned to transport logs, is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts. Vijaynagar Beach offers a peaceful experience, while Kalapathar Beach offers cinematic sunrises and sunsets. Although not as developed as other tourist destinations, there are various resorts and packages available, and guides are recommended for exploring forest paths.
Mauli Island
Mājuli, known as Majuli, is a river island in Assam state, India, formed by the convergence of the Kherkutia Xuti and the Brahmaputra River. Sarbananda Sonowal announced it as the first district in India in 2016. The island, which covers 352 square kilometers, has shrunk due to erosion and is located in the Brahmaputra River. The island’s creation is attributed to river course changes, particularly the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. Majuli is a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture and has been on the UNESCO Tentative List for nomination as a World Heritage Site since 2004.
Agatti Island
Agatti Island, located in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India, is a 7.6 km long island situated on Agatti Atoll. It is 459 km west of Kochi and 531 km away from Kollam and Kollam Port. The island is home to the small Kalpatti Island, which has a lagoon area of 24.84 km2.
The closest inhabited island is Kavaratti, located 54 km to the SE, and Suheli Par Atoll 76 km to the south. The total land area of Agatti Atoll is 3.226 km2. However, Agatti, a Lakshadweep island, is open to tourism with certain restrictions. Visitors must obtain an Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration, based on a confirmed place to stay. The island has two hotels: Agatti Island Beach Resort (AIBER) and Sea Shells Beach Resort. A road runs through the island, and bicycle rentals are available for enjoyment.
Netrani Island, Karnataka
Netrani, an Indian island off the coast of Karnataka, was once known as Bajrangi Island, Pigeon Island, and Heart-shaped Island. It is located 10 nautical miles from the Murudeshwara temple town in Bhatkal Taluka and is separated from the mainland by over 15 kilometers. The island is heart-shaped and home to wild goats and birds. It is well connected to Bhatkal, Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai, and Bangalore, offering scuba diving opportunities. The local name is Nitra Gudo, and the Jai Bajrangbali Temple is located there.
Kadmat Island
Kadmat Island, also known as Cardamom Island, is a coral island in India’s Lakshadweep archipelago, measuring 9.3 kilometers in length and covering 25 square kilometers. The island is home to a coral reef with seagrass and marine turtles and has been designated a marine protected area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) for conservation. Kadmat, the only inhabited village, has a population of 5,389 according to the 2011 census. Fisheries are the main economic activity, with agriculture limited to 5% of the land area. Tourism is allowed for non-Indians, with attractions including kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Neil Island
Shaheed Dweep, also known as Neil Island, is an island in the Andaman Islands, located in the South Andaman administrative district. It is 36 km northeast of Port Blair and is part of the Indian Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island, which was once suitable for paddy cultivation, has little forest cover and is mostly concentrated in the reserve forest on its north-western side. Despite this, Shaheed Dweep offers a unique, pastoral charm, making it a charming destination for visitors.
Great Nicobar Island
Great Nicobar, the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands, is located north of Sumatra. Covering 921 km2 (356 sq mi), the island is sparsely inhabited with a population of 8067. It is part of the Nicobar Islands rain forests ecoregion and is known for its diverse wildlife, including mangroves, coastal forests, and evergreen and deciduous forests.
Diu Island
Diu Island, located off the southern coast of Gujarat’s Kathiawar peninsula, is administratively part of the Diu district of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu union territory of India.
With a population of 44,110, the island is 5 km east of Diu Head and has a rich history as a major port of the Gujarati state.
In 1535, the viceroy Nuno da Cunha made a treaty with Bahadur Sah, the sultan of Khambhat, for the use of the port by Portugal. Despite several attacks by Ottomans and Arabs, the Portuguese remained in control until 1961 when it became a union territory with Daman. The island was also a hub for Ethiopian highlands, which imported Indian textiles and exported slaves, wax, butter, civet, and ivory.
St Mary’s Islands
St. Mary’s Islands, also known as Coconut Island and Thonsepar, are four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka, India. These islands are known for their distinctive geological formation of columnar rhyolitic lava, formed by sub-aerial subvolcanic activity due to Madagascar’s rifting around 88 million years ago. As one of the four geological monuments in Karnataka state, they were declared one of the 34 National Geological Monuments of India in 2016 for their protection, maintenance, promotion, and enhancement of tourism.
Lakshadweep Islands
The last but not the least in the list of top 10 islands is the Laskwadeep Island, the focal point of this controversy igniting the Indian Island Tourism Renaissance.
Lakshadweep, a union territory of India, is an archipelago of 36 islands located 200 to 440 km off the Malabar Coast. The region forms the maritime boundary between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Laccadive Sea to the east. The Laccadive Islands are just one part of the archipelago, with Jeseri being the primary and widely spoken native language. The islands form the smallest union territory of India, covering a total surface area of approximately 32 km2. The region forms a single Indian district with 10 subdivisions, with Kavaratti serving as the capital and the region under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court.
