Watch | Why are some islands in India sinking?
The Hindu
Several of the country’s 1,382 islands are under siege from unseasonal cyclonic storms, sea erosion and new development projects. And one island has entirely disappeared from the map.
India has a fragile network of over 1,382 islands. However, several of these islands are under threat due to unseasonal cyclonic storms, sea erosion and new development projects. One such island in Lakshadweep has entirely disappeared from the map.
Environmental researchers are pushing for urgent measures to be taken to preserve these sinking islands. They say planting mangroves and creating other physical barriers around these areas can make a difference.
A look at islands across the country that are under threat
1. Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep has a land area of just 32 sq.km. and a population of 70,000.
Lakshadweep lagoons cover an area of 4,200 sq.kms. A group of scientists in 2021 urged the Central govt. to rethink the water villa project steered by NITI Aayog. They feared it would destroy the lagoons.
Coastal constructions and unseasonal cyclones are causing soil erosion. According to a study, waters surrounding the archipelago are expected to rise by 0.78 mm each year in the 2080-2100 period. Smaller islands may therefore experience loss of land along the coast.
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