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

Lakshadweep Islands
70000
soooo
50000
40000
30000
20000
'0000
0
Figure 5 • Population of Lakshadweep 2001
c
= Jl " ~
~ " ~ I J J i
IOlotal • Ma~0 female I
The growth in population poses a heavy drain on
the natural resources. This can lead to serious
shortages and environmentally harmful practices.
The recent changes in building styles and living
have already depleted fresh water supply.
According to a NEERI report' published in 1989,
the Lakshadweep Islands have exceeded their
carrying capacity of population with reference to
fresh water available (Roon V: 1990).
The sex ratio in 2001 is 947. The unfavorable sex
ratio for females is of interest since these Islands
are famous for the matrilineal society.
Development aspirations are modeled on Kerala
state that has the highest sex ratio of 1058 in the
country. Only one island - Minicoy - has registered
a favorable sex ratio of 1057 females per 1000
males. Kavaratti the administrative Capital
registers the lowest sex ratio of 829 (census: 2001).
iv. Literacy
Literacy is an important population
characteristic, since it can impact population
change, sex ratio, marriage, migration etc.
According to Census of India 2001, there are
45,281 literates in Lakshadweep. Out of this 24806
are males and 20,475 are females. This means that
87.52% of the population is literates. Figure 6
shows the break up of literacy rate from 1951-
2001 2 • The male population dominates in respect
of literacy. The literacy rate for both Males and
Females has steadily increased from a literate
percentage of 15.23% in 1951 to 87.52 % in 2001.
Female literacy has gone up to 81.56% in 2001
from 5.3% in 1951 registering an increase of 76.26
points. AIl the islands have registered
improvement in female literacy. Minicoy stands
first (90.86%) in female literacy followed by
Kadmat (86.44%). The lowest female literacy is
registered in Amini (75.95%). Lakshadweep stands,
3 n1 in literacy in India. The first and second being
Kerala (90.92%) and Mizoram (88.49%).
Figure 6 • Literacy Rate 1951.2001
100 --------~--.-----. ~.---- .------,
~ :
80
70
80
50
40
'0
20
'0 o
% 1951 1961 1971 t981 1991 2001
leilTotal.MaleS o Females I
Lakshadweep has made important strides iii
health and in 1999 the Infant Mortality Rate (lMR)
was 20.21 and the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
was 0.84. Lakshadweep has a fairly homogeneous
population and 100% of the native population is
Muslim. The caste distinction between Koyas and
Melachertes is no. longer an issue as both castes
have equal opportunity to study and seek
employment. Despite the adverse sex ratio for
females, there is no apparent gender disparity in
education or taking up jobs. The only Padma Shri
awardee in the Islands is a lady doctor. The entire
indigenous population because of their economic
and social backwardness has been classified as
scheduled tribes. According to the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribes list, 1956, the
inhabitants of Lakshadweep who and both of
whose parents were born in these Islands are
treated as Scheduled Tribes'. There are no
Scheduled castes lIsted for this Union Territory.
v. Transport and Communication
Satellite earth stations link the islands with the
rest of the world. Direct dialing telephone and fax
facilities are found in all the islands. Internet
connectivity is as yet only in Kavaratti.
Transport between the Islands and with the rest of
the country, is restricted to weekly ship services,
helicopter services and an air service between
Cochin and Agatti and Goa and Agatti. Emergency
2. Literacy rates for 1951,1961 and 1971 relate to population aged five years and above. The rates.for the years 1981-2001 relate
to the population aged seven years and above.
3. This distinction of having to be born in the Islands to avail ST status causes an identity problem for those children who are born
in mainland hospitals. Despite the fact that both the child's parents may be natives of UTL.
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