Context: Recently, the Maldives government faced backlash from Indian citizens for using derogatory words against Indians and the Indian Prime Minister for visiting Lakshadweep.

Boycott Maldives’ Movement & Turmoil in Indian-Maldivian

• As a result, a large number of Indian social media users started a ‘boycott Maldives’ and ‘choose Lakshadweep’ trend.
• The issue turned into a diplomatic row after India lodged a formal complaint against the ministers with the Maldivian government.
• Sensing the gravity of the issue, the Maldivian government sacked the ministers responsible for making derogatory statements against Indians and the Indian Prime Minister.
• However, the sacking did not negate the anger of Indian citizens. Thousands of Indians cancelled their reservations in Maldives and urged their fellow citizens to do the same.
• The Maldivian tourism industry also made a formal apology towards Indians, who constitute the single largest block of tourists to Maldives.

Lakshadweep: Islands, Administration, and Cultural Diversity in the Arabian Sea

• About: Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands located in Arabian Sea, about 440 km away from the coast of Kerala.
  • The word Lakshadweep translates to “one lakh islands” in Malayalam and Sanskrit, though the islands are just one part of the archipelago of no more than a hundred islands.
• Administration: Lakshadweep is a Union Territory having 10 sub-divisions. Kavaratti is the capital of the Union Territory.
• • The Lieutenant Governor is the head of the UT government. Lakshadweep comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. 
• Primary Language: Jeseri, which is considered a dialect of Malayalam, is the primary as well as the widely spoken native language in the Union Territory.
• Native Inhabitants: Most of the indigenous population is Muslim, belonging to the Shafi school of the Sunni sect. 
  • Culturally and ethnically, the inhabitants are similar to Malayalis of Kerala. They have strong resemblance to Mapillas.
  • The Minicoy islands are inhabited by the ethnically distinct Mahl people, who are also the inhabitants of Maldives.

Lakshadweep: Geological Wonders and Climate Harmony of the Archipelago

• Location: Lakshadweep islands are the northernmost part of the Lakshadweep–Maldives–Chagos group of islands, which are the exposed tops of a vast undersea mountain range, the Chagos-Lakshadweep Ridge. 
• Composition: The islands are made up of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands. They are the exposed parts of undersea volcanic mountains.
  • The Amindivi group, the Laccadive group and the Minicoy atoll together form Lakshadweep. 
  • The 200-km-broad Nine Degree Channel separates Laccadive and Minicoy islands.
  • The soil in Lakshadweep was formed due to the disintegration of limestones from the corals and sedimentary rocks due to long exposure.
• Climate: The region experiences tropical maritime climate. There is very little difference between the summer and winter temperatures.

Lakshadweep: Tracing Centuries of Trade, Cultural Encounters & Changing Dynasties

• Location Importance: Due to its location on the principal trade route which connected the Middle East with Malabar Coast, Ceylon, and Southeast Asia, Lakshadweep played an important role.
• Evidences: The mention of Lakshadweep can be found in Buddhist Jataka stories of the sixth century BCE. 
  • It was a famous trading post which was also visited by Buddhist monk Sanghamitra.
• Rulers: Islam religion arrived during the seventh century along with Arab traders. Prior to the establishment of British rule, the area was ruled by the Chera dynasty, the Chola dynasty, and finally the Kingdom of Kannur.
  • The Muslim house of Arakkal and Tipu Sultan have also ruled the territory. After the departure of the British, the Union Territory was formed in 1956.

Lakshadweep: Strategic Gem, Tourism Haven, and Ecological Marvel

• Lakshadweep: Strategic Sentinel, Maritime Guardian, and Diplomatic Asset in the Indian Ocean
  • Naval Outpost: Lakshadweep islands can serve as the naval outpost for Indian Naval assets deployed in the Arabian Sea.
  • Monitor Smuggling: Lakshadweep has been used as a base for smuggling of arms and narcotics in the country. The area needs to be secured for internal security.
  • Tackle Piracy: Lakshadweep can serve as a vantage point to monitor any movement of vessels in the Arabian Sea.
  • Shipping Lines: The nine-degree channel near Lakshadweep is the shortest way for ships connecting west Asia and East Asia.
  • Strategic Tool: Lakshadweep development can be used by India as a bargaining chip while dealing with China-favouring administration of Maldives.
• Lakshadweep: Untapped Beauty, Tourism Aspirations, and the Road to Development”
  • Climatic Conditions: Lakshadweep has immense tourism potential due to its similarity with Maldives in terms of climate and geographical features.
    • Currently, the UT has limited infrastructure to host tourists. There is a lack of world-class hotels and resorts. The connectivity with the mainland is limited.
    • With sustained investments, both from the private and public sector, the UT has the potential to become one of the go-to tourist destinations in India.
  • Focus of Government: The government is putting special emphasis on Minicoy Island, a picturesque strip of land surrounded by pristine blue waters and located close to Maldives.
    • To promote tourists, liquor sales have now been permitted at designated locations with the approval of the Tourism department.
• Lakshadweep: Exploring the Economic Riches of its Exclusive Economic Zone
  • Exclusive Economic Zone: The islands’ large Exclusive economic Zone has significant fishery and mineral resources which are of immense economic importance. 
  • Deep Sea Mining: The deep waters surrounding Lakshadweep islands are rich in precious metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper etc.
• Lakshadweep: Exploring Solar, Wind, and Wave Energy Potential
  • Solar energy: With large open seas, Lakshadweep can be a good stop for setting up floating solar energy generation units.
  • Off-shore Wind Energy: Due to monsoonal winds, Lakshadweep has the potential for setting up off-shore wind plants.
  • Wave Energy: Wave energy, which can be harnessed from the motion of the waves, can provide energy options in lakshadweep.
• Lakshadweep: Celebrating the Unique Flora and Fauna of the Coral Isles
• • Coral Ecosystem: Coral ecosystem in Lakshadweep makes it one of the main undersea biodiverse regions in the country.
  • Biodiversity: Apart from coral ecosystems, lakshadweep is known for its overground flora and fauna. These species are unique to the islands. There is recorded evidence of  400 species of plants, 101 species of birds and 603 species of marine fishes.

Lakshadweep’s Challenges: Balancing Preservation, Accessibility, and Sustainable Development

• Rising Human Footprint: Rising human footprints are likely to have problems such as generation of waste and pollution on the islands.
• Fragile Ecology: Lakshadweep is an ecologically fragile region which cannot handle huge tourist influx due to limited space and sensitive surroundings.
• High Transport Cost: Presently, there are only two ways to reach Lakshadweep – by flight or by ship. The cost of transport from other parts of India is very high.
• Opposition from People: Local residents are open for tourists to visit the islands due to conservative views, dictated by their religious belief. This is also a reason for limited alcohol allowance on the islands.
• Shortage of Resources: Lakshadweep does not have enough resources such as food, water, electricity etc to handle tourist influx.
• Lack of Infrastructure: The islands suffer from limited infrastructure such as transport, hospitals, schools etc that are needed for its development.

Lakshadweep’s Path Ahead: Building Infrastructure and Embracing Sustainable Tourism Development

• Creation of Infrastructure: Lakshadweep has the potential to become a major tourist attraction. But before that, there is an urgent need to improve the basic infrastructure needed for outsiders to settle and tourists to visit.
• Sustainable Development: The islands need sustainable development that creates a tourism environment without exploiting the environment.