Kavaratti

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Kavaratti
Census town
Kavaratti is located in India
Kavaratti
Kavaratti
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country  India
State Lakshadweep
District Lakshadweep
Area
 • Total 4.22 km2 (1.63 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 11,210
 • Density 2,700/km2 (6,900/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 682555
Telephone code 04896
Website lakshadweep.nic.in

Kavaratti (Malayalam: കവരത്തി) is the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. Kavaratti is a census town as well as the name of the atoll upon which the town stands.

It is well known for its pristine white sand beaches and calm lagoons, which makes it a popular tourist destination.

Geography

Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy

The island of Kavaratti lies 360 km (190 nmi) off the coast of the state of Kerala at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found..[1] It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).

The closest island is uninhabited Pitti islet, located 24 km (13 nmi) north of Kavaratti. The inhabited island of Agatti lies 54 km to the NW and the uninhabited Suheli Par 53 km to the SW.

Kochi is the closest major city on the Indian mainland at a distance of 404 km (218 nmi).

Climate

Kavaratti has a tropical monsoon climate. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The year-round temperature ranges between 25-35 °C. Humidity range is 70-76%.[2]

The monsoon rains usually start at the end of May and continue through early September. The island receives an average of 1600mm of rain during the year.

Climate data for Kavaratti
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30.2
(86.4)		 30.4
(86.7)		 31.1
(88)		 31.8
(89.2)		 31.3
(88.3)		 30.4
(86.7)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29.7
(85.5)		 29.8
(85.6)		 30
(86)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.43
(86.75)
Average low °C (°F) 22.7
(72.9)		 23.1
(73.6)		 24.3
(75.7)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.8
(78.4)		 25
(77)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.3
(75.7)		 23.6
(74.5)		 23.2
(73.8)		 24.28
(75.72)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 27.4
(1.079)		 25.4
(1)		 19.8
(0.78)		 72.5
(2.854)		 212.8
(8.378)		 261.3
(10.287)		 250.9
(9.878)		 202.4
(7.969)		 181.9
(7.161)		 183.1
(7.209)		 133.0
(5.236)		 94.8
(3.732)		 1,665.3
(65.563)
[citation needed]

Demographics

The 2009 population estimate for Kavaratti was 11,322 based on the 2001 census of India. The 2001 census had reported a population of 10,119.[3] Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Of the 1797 families on the island, the 2001 census reported 57 (about 3%) as being below the poverty line.

The 2001 census also reported a literacy rate of 88.6% for Kavaratti. This was an increase from 44.4% in 1971. The male literacy rate was 94.1%, while the female literacy was 81.66%.[3] In Kavaratti, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The most commonly spoken languages are Malayalam, Mahl and English.[4]

Economy

A beach at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
Kavaratti Main Road in the early morning.

Tourism is one of the primary industries on the island. The island has pristine white sand beaches, favored by tourists for sun bathing. The calm lagoons on Kavaratti island are ideal for water sports and swimming.[5]

A number of hotels and resorts have been developed on Kavaratti in recent years. The waters around the coral atoll are rich in diverse marine life. The Kavaratti Aquarium has a rich collection of corals and a vast collection of tropical fish specimens.

The other major industries on the island are fisheries and agriculture. Coconut is the dominant crop on the island. With the ascent of tourism, the fishing industry has seen a major decline.

Infrastructure

Transport

Among the most popular means of travel to Kavaratti from the Indian mainland is via an overnight voyage by passenger ships. A number of passenger liners operate from Kochi to Kavaratti and other Lakshadweep islands.

The nearest domestic airport is on Agatti island 54 km (29 nmi) away, followed by helicopter or boat transfers from Agatti to Kavaratti.[3] Commercial flights usually operate from Kochi to Agatti.

The closest international airport is the Cochin International Airport in Kochi on the mainland.

Education

As of 2009 there were 2 primary schools and 2 secondary schools on the island. In addition there were 14 anganwadis.

Healthcare

Kavaratti hosts a co-operative hospital. There is also a Krishibhavan and an associated veterinary hospital on the island.[3]

Water supply

Ground water is the major source of water supply to Kavaratti. As of 2009, the island had 190 ponds to collect monsoon waters and 1325 wells.

With increasing population, the Government of India commissioned a low temperature desalination plant (LLTD) in Kavaratti in May 2005. The desalination plant established at a cost of ₹50 million has a capacity to supply 100,000 litres of drinking water every day.[6][7]

Naval base

Kavaratti island is home to INS Dweeprakshak, the main Indian Navy base of the Southern Naval Command in the Lakshadweep islands.

INS Kavaratti (P80) was an Arnala class corvette of the Indian Navy named for the island.

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kavaratti
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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