Islands of India: Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep
Complete guide to islands of India — Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, their geography, biodiversity, strategic significance, and tribal communities for UPSC.
India has two major island groups — the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. Together, they comprise over 1,200 islands stretching India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by approximately 6 lakh sq km and provide critical strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. For UPSC, island geography, tribal communities, biodiversity hotspot status, and maritime security dimensions are frequently tested.
Overview of Indian Islands
| Feature | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Bay of Bengal | Arabian Sea |
| Number of Islands | 572 | 36 (10 inhabited) |
| Total Area | 8,249 sq km | 32 sq km |
| Capital | Port Blair | Kavaratti |
| Origin | Tectonic/volcanic (continuation of Arakan Yoma range) | Coral atolls |
| Highest Point | Saddle Peak (732 m), North Andaman | Highest point ~5 m |
| Population (2011) | 3.8 lakh | 64,473 |
| Distance from Mainland | 1,200 km from Chennai | 220-440 km from Kochi |
| Key Significance | Tri-service command; Malacca approach | EEZ extension in Arabian Sea |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Geography and Formation
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are an archipelago of 572 islands formed as a continuation of the Arakan Yoma mountain range of Myanmar. They represent the peaks of a submerged mountain chain created by the subduction of the Indian Plate under the Burma Plate.
The islands are divided into two groups:
- Andaman Group (North, Middle, South Andaman — collectively called Great Andaman, plus Little Andaman): ~550 islands
- Nicobar Group (Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar, Katchal, and others): ~22 islands
The Ten Degree Channel (approximately 150 km wide) separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group and marks the line of 10°N latitude.
Key Geographic Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Barren Island | India's only confirmed active volcano; last erupted in 2017 |
| Narcondam Island | Dormant volcano |
| Saddle Peak | 732 m — highest point |
| Ross Island | British administrative headquarters (now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) |
| Indira Point | India's southernmost point (Great Nicobar); submerged during 2004 tsunami |
| Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) | Tourism hub; Radhanagar Beach |
| Baratang Island | Limestone caves; mud volcanoes |
Biodiversity
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are part of one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots (Indo-Burma hotspot). Key ecological features:
- Mangroves: Second-largest mangrove cover in India after Sundarbans
- Coral Reefs: Fringing and barrier reefs; Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
- Endemic Species: Andaman wild pig, Nicobar megapode, Andaman teal, Narcondam hornbill, dugong
- Marine Life: Dugongs, sea turtles (leatherback nesting sites on Great Nicobar), dolphins, reef fish
Indigenous Tribes
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to some of the world's most isolated tribal communities, protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.
| Tribe | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Andamanese | Strait Island | ~50 individuals; settled |
| Onge | Little Andaman | ~100 individuals; semi-settled |
| Jarawa | South and Middle Andaman | ~400 individuals; minimal contact; protected buffer zone |
| Sentinelese | North Sentinel Island | ~50-100 (estimated); no contact; fiercely resist outsiders |
| Nicobarese | Nicobar Islands | ~30,000; largest group; Mongoloid origin |
| Shompen | Great Nicobar | ~200-300; semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers |
The Sentinelese are among the last uncontacted peoples on Earth. The government maintains a policy of non-interference. The death of an American missionary who illegally visited North Sentinel Island in 2018 highlighted the tribe's isolation.
Strategic Significance
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands guard the western approach to the Strait of Malacca — the world's busiest shipping lane. India established the Andaman and Nicobar Command in 2001, its only tri-service theatre command, at Port Blair.
Key military assets:
- INS Kohassa (naval air station, Shibpur)
- INS Baaz (India's southernmost air base, Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar)
- INS Kardip (naval base, Kamorta, Nicobar)
- Proposed container transshipment terminal at Great Nicobar (controversial due to ecological concerns)
Related: Indian Ocean Diplomacy: Geopolitics & Security
Lakshadweep Islands
Geography and Formation
Lakshadweep (meaning "a hundred thousand islands" in Malayalam) is India's smallest union territory. The 36 islands are coral atolls formed on the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge — an underwater mountain chain.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Islands | 36 (10 inhabited) |
| Total Area | 32 sq km (India's smallest UT by area) |
| Capital | Kavaratti |
| Largest Island | Andrott |
| Reef Area | 4,200 sq km of lagoon |
| Religion | Predominantly Muslim (96%+) |
| Language | Malayalam (Jeseri dialect on some islands) |
| Key Lagoons | Minicoy, Agatti, Bangaram |
Island Classification
Lakshadweep islands are grouped into:
- Amindivi Islands — northern group (Amini, Kiltan, Chetlat, Kadmat, Bitra)
- Laccadive Islands — central group (Kavaratti, Andrott, Agatti, Kalpeni)
- Minicoy Island — southernmost, separated by the Nine Degree Channel
The Nine Degree Channel (9°N latitude) separates Minicoy from the rest of Lakshadweep. The Eight Degree Channel (8°N) separates Minicoy from the Maldives.
Coral Reef Ecosystem
Lakshadweep contains India's only true atoll formations. The coral reefs are among the healthiest in Indian waters but face threats from:
- Climate change-induced coral bleaching
- Rising sea temperatures
- Sea-level rise (islands average only 1-2 m above sea level)
- Waste management challenges on small islands
Economy
The economy depends on fishing (tuna is the primary catch), coconut cultivation and coir production, and tourism (limited and regulated). The islands are administered directly by the Central Government through an Administrator appointed by the President.
Other Indian Islands
Islands in Rivers and Lakes
| Island | River/Lake | State | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majuli | Brahmaputra | Assam | World's largest river island; Vaishnavite satras |
| Umananda | Brahmaputra | Assam | One of the smallest inhabited river islands |
| Divar | Mandovi | Goa | Portuguese-era churches |
| Srirangapatna | Cauvery | Karnataka | Tipu Sultan's capital |
Coastal Islands
| Island | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Diu | Gujarat coast | Union Territory; Portuguese-era fort |
| Elephanta | Mumbai harbour | UNESCO site; Shiva rock-cut caves |
| Salsette | Mumbai region | India's most populous island |
| Pamban (Rameswaram) | Palk Strait | Connected by Pamban Bridge; Ramanathaswamy Temple |
| Wheeler Island (Abdul Kalam Island) | Odisha coast | Missile testing range (DRDO) |
| Sagar Island | Sundarbans, WB | Gangasagar Mela pilgrimage site |
Islands and India's Maritime Zones
Indian islands significantly extend India's maritime jurisdiction:
| Zone | Extent | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Territorial Sea | 12 nautical miles from coastline | Full sovereignty |
| Contiguous Zone | 24 nautical miles | Customs, immigration enforcement |
| Exclusive Economic Zone | 200 nautical miles | Sovereign rights over resources |
| Continental Shelf | Up to 350 nautical miles | Seabed resource rights |
The Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands together add approximately 6 lakh sq km to India's EEZ — nearly twice the land area of the islands themselves and larger than many countries.
Climate Vulnerability
Both island groups face existential threats from climate change:
- Sea-level rise: Lakshadweep averages 1-2 m above sea level; even modest rise threatens habitability
- Coral bleaching: Rising sea temperatures damage reef ecosystems that protect islands from wave erosion
- Intensifying cyclones: Both island groups are in cyclone-prone zones
- Freshwater scarcity: Small islands depend on rainfall and groundwater lenses vulnerable to saltwater intrusion
- 2004 Tsunami impact: Andaman & Nicobar Islands were devastated; Indira Point was submerged; over 6,000 people died
Frequently Asked Questions
How many islands does India have?
India has approximately 1,382 islands. The Andaman & Nicobar group has 572 islands, Lakshadweep has 36, and the remainder are scattered along the coast and in rivers. Only a fraction are inhabited — 37 in Andaman & Nicobar and 10 in Lakshadweep. Majuli in the Brahmaputra is the world's largest river island.
What is the Ten Degree Channel?
The Ten Degree Channel is a 150-km wide waterway running along approximately 10°N latitude, separating the Andaman Islands (to the north) from the Nicobar Islands (to the south). It's an important shipping lane and is strategically monitored by the Indian Navy from the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Who are the Sentinelese?
The Sentinelese are an uncontacted indigenous tribe living on North Sentinel Island in the Andaman group. Estimated at 50-100 individuals, they aggressively resist all outside contact, including using bows and arrows against approaching boats and helicopters. Indian law prohibits visits to the island to protect both the tribe and outsiders.
Why is Lakshadweep vulnerable to climate change?
Lakshadweep's coral atolls average only 1-2 metres above sea level, making them extremely vulnerable to even modest sea-level rise. Coral bleaching from rising ocean temperatures weakens the reef structures that protect islands from erosion. Freshwater lenses beneath the islands risk saltwater contamination as sea levels rise.
What is the strategic importance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
The Andaman & Nicobar chain extends 700 km across the Bay of Bengal, just 90 km from Indonesia. It guards the western approach to the Strait of Malacca, through which over 60,000 ships pass annually. India's only tri-service command is based at Port Blair, and air bases at Shibpur and Campbell Bay provide surveillance capability.