06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

~
,
s.llwU V.'",~''''' ~ Jf. CIwtf'11.""
l PlrtJ
'. 'SaIktUCllv')'."~ ril.......... K"f~l.
~
"
Figure 1. The Lakshadweep Islands
I N D I A
Kavaratti, Kalpeni, and Minicoy. Bangaram has
been developed as a tourist resort. Kavaratti is
the capital, or the prime administrative hub.
Agatti houses the only airport and airstrip. The
other islands are small and exist as satellites of
the inhabited islands.
Owing to its remoteness and difficult access the
Union Territory of Lakshadweep is classified as a
Scheduled Tribe area and its population declared
Scheduled Tribes. Table 1 presents basic facts
about Lakshadweep
ii. Climate
The islands have a warm and humid climate (air
temperature 17°C-38°C, humidity 70%). They are
influenced by southwest monsoon from May to
August; the northeast monsoon from November to
January has little effect. The total rainfall ranges
from 160 cm in northern islands (Amini) to 175 cm
in the southern island (Minicoy). Most of this rain
occurs from June to September brought by the
southwest monsoon, the number of rainy days
being 80.94 days, and with June being the wettest
month. Low water holding capacity of soils and
high light intensity is a serious handicap for the
cultivation of crops particularly the annual crops
• 1
105
Lakshadweep Islands
as the rain or irrigation water is lost by percolation
or evaporation. Daily evaporation of water
even in the month of July is 1.9 to 5 mm per day.
The maximum temperature is 37°C during summer,
tempered by sea breeze. March, April and May are
the hottest months of the year with an average
temperature of 33°C, sometimes reaching up to
37°C. The temperature variation between the
maximum and minimum is around 4.5°C. The wind
prevailing in these islands are oriented in
southwest to west direction from June to July, and
northwesterly in August-September. Relative
humidity is about 75 per cent almost throughout
the year, and temperatures range from 31.1 to
22.7°C.
The mean wind velocity varies from 6 to 17 Km per
hectare. The cyclonic disturbances are often
present in October-December. The variation in
rainfall all over these islands for the past 50 years
is 69% in Minicoy and about 27% in Amini. (cf.
Saigal, p.15)
The islands experience two seasons: The Fair
season and the Monsoon season
a. Fair season:
The fair season lasts from October to April. The
seas are calm and the tuna shoals move towards
these islands. Skies are clear and temperatures
warm (30°C). There is very little rainfall. These six
months are the most important period of the
islanders' life and the island economy. Everything
happens in the fair season. Fishermen rise before
dawn and go out to fish. Fishing trips last from five
hours in Minicoy to 14 hours at Agatti. Copra and
fish is seen drying in all the suitable places
throughout the islands. The main economic
activities in the fair season are:
1. Deep sea tuna fishing
2. Post harvest operations (Fish processing, Maas
making, fish drying and copra drying)
3. Construction work
b. Monsoon season:
The Monsoon season lasts from June to September.
Very little productive activity can be observed in
the islands during the monsoon season. The seas
are very rough and the islands experience
torrential rain and high wind speeds. This is a
very difficult time for the islanders and it is a time
when they feel their isolation the most. Bad
weather, coupled with high wind speeds and rough
seas can result in the cancellation of scheduled
flights and ships. Very little fresh food is available
in the islands. Fishing is restricted to the lagoon
and the catch is limited.