Indian Islands
Let’s say you start setting sail from the eastern shores of India, gliding through the Bay of Bengal, and stepping onto the lush green Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Then, shifting course westward, you find yourself in the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, surrounded by the coral-ringed Lakshadweep Islands. These two island groups are India’s maritime frontiers, each with a distinct geological story.
The Two Major Island Groups of India
🔹 Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal) → Tectonic origin
🔹 Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea) → Coral origin
Besides these, riverine islands in the Indo-Gangetic delta and remnants of Adam’s Bridge near Sri Lanka add to India’s unique island geography.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
🗺️ Imagine the Arakan Yoma range of Myanmar extending southward and disappearing into the sea—this is what forms the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
🔹 Formation:
- These islands were formed due to the collision of the Indian Plate and the Burma Minor Plate (similar to the Himalayas).
- They are actually a submerged extension of the Purvanchal Hills, rising from the ocean.
🔹 Geography:
- Composed of 265 big and small islands.
- The Great Andaman Islands (North, Middle, and South) are separated from Little Andaman by Duncan Passage.
- Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group.
- Port Blair, the capital, is in South Andaman.
- Great Nicobar, the largest island, lies close to Sumatra (Indonesia).
🔹 Unique Features:
- Barren Island and Narcondam Island are India’s only active volcanoes.
- Saddle Peak (737m) in North Andaman is the highest point.
- Some islands have coral reefs and dense forests, while most are mountainous.
Lakshadweep Islands
🌊 Unlike the Andamans, which are mountainous, Lakshadweep is made entirely of coral deposits.
🔹 Formation:
- These islands are atolls, formed by coral growth over submerged volcanic structures.
- Part of the Reunion Hotspot Volcanism (which also formed the Deccan Traps).
🔹 Geography:
- Comprises 25 tiny coral islands, scattered 200-500 km off the Kerala coast.
- The Amindivi Islands lie in the north, while Minicoy Island is the southernmost.
- Laccadive and Minicoy are separated by the Nine Degree Channel.
🔹 Unique Features:
- Minicoy Island is the largest and most developed, covering 4.53 sq km.
- These islands are low-lying (not rising more than 5m), making them highly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
- The landscape is flat, with no hills, streams, or valleys.
Other Important Islands
New Moore Island
📍 Located in the Bay of Bengal, off the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta.
🔹 Formation:
- It emerged after the Bhola cyclone (1970) and has since appeared and disappeared multiple times.
- A classic example of marine landforms shaped by tides and sediment deposition.
🔹 Geopolitical Importance:
- Both India and Bangladesh claimed it due to potential oil and gas reserves.
- The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) awarded it to India.
Geographical, economic and cultural importance of Indian islands
Geographical Features
| Feature | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep Islands |
| Number of Islands | Around 265 small and big islands | About 25 small islands |
| Geological Origin | Part of Arakan Yoma fold mountain system | Coral atolls and reefs |
| Volcanic Activity | Has India’s only active volcano—Barren Island | No volcanic activity |
| Forests & Vegetation | Dense tropical rainforest canopy | Sparse vegetation, absence of forests |
Economic & Industrial Aspects
| Feature | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep Islands |
| Agriculture | Paddy, coconut, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, spices | Coconut fiber extraction, limited agriculture |
| Fishing Industry | Fish processing, handicrafts from shells & wood | Fishing is the main economic activity |
| Tourism | Famous for beaches, forests, and adventure sports | Tourism is an emerging sector |
Demographic & Cultural Aspects
| Feature | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep Islands |
| Indigenous Population | Home to Jarawas, Sentinelese, Nicobarese, Shompen | No aboriginal tribes |
| Ethnicity | Mixed population due to migration | Ethnically related to Kerala Malayalis and Maldivian Mahls |
| Religion | Hindu majority, significant Christian population | Muslim-majority (93%), with some Hindus & Christians |
| Languages | Hindi & English (official), Bengali widely spoken | Malayalam & Mahls are main languages |
Final Thoughts
India’s islands are not just landmasses—they are natural shields, ecological treasures, and economic hubs. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands rise like mountain peaks from the ocean, while the Lakshadweep Islands float on coral foundations.
But as climate change and rising sea levels threaten these islands, their conservation is more crucial than ever. Protecting them is not just about geography—it’s about preserving India’s future in the Indian Ocean! 🌊
