The Lakshadweep Issue Goes Beyond The Environment Vs Development Debate. A Look At What's At Stake For This Unique UT...

A few hundred miles away from Lakshadweep is Maldives. But though the two archipelagos have a lot in common in terms of topography, one has emerged as a great tourism destination globally, while Lakshadweep is nowhere on the world tourism map.

The controversial proposals range from...

• A ban on cow slaughter, liquor permits in the Muslimmajority islands
• Provision to take over land of residents to build highways, railway lines and other infrastructure projects
• Disqualification of people with more than two children who wish to contest panchayat elections

The reason is that it has negligible facilities for tourists.

It is in this backdrop that we should see the activities that the administration of Lakshadweep has launched for the prosperity and bright future of all its citizens especially fishermen, women and the youth of the Union Territory, who are being left behind in the race for development. However, the people whose vested interests are hit by the administration’s development works are propagating a misinformation campaign against the administration.

Vested interests are spreading misinformation. The proposed development will be sustainable with minimum impact on the island’s ecosystem. It will also give locals new opportunities for employment and business besides giving tourism a new dimension

The proposed development will be implemented with minimum impact on the island ecosystem which is considered an ecologically protected area. It will be in consonance with the larger vision statement of sustainable development and the approved Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP) of the various islands of Lakshadweep.