Residents plan legal action over Lakshadweep island ‘takeover'

The Lakshadweep administration is moving to acquire the entire Bitra island for transfer to India’s defence and strategic agencies, triggering fears among residents about displacement from their traditional fishing grounds.

- Jayashree Nandi

A notification issued on July 11 by the territory's revenue department for a social impact assessment cited the island's “strategic location, national security relevance and inherent logistical and administrative challenges associated with civilian habitation” as justification for the takeover.

The acquisition would affect Bitra’s 350 residents, who depend on fishing and coconut cultivation, and impact a crucial 45-sq km lagoon area used by fishermen from across the archipelago.

Residents have decided to challenge the move in court, fearing the loss of livelihoods tied to the island’s rich marine ecosystem.

"If there is any move to displace people, we will fight it legally. There are around 350 persons here including children, all dependent on fishing and coconut plantations. This is the way of life. Fishermen from other islands also come here because of the abundance of lagoon fish, tuna and groupers,” a Bitra resident said.

Another resident said: “We live on a private land. If this is not resolved, we will challenge it in court just like the pandaram matter.”

On June 27 last year, the Lakshadweep Administration's department of revenue collectorate issued an order that said “pandaram” lands over which the government has “proprietary” rights will be taken back from islanders to whom these lands were leased out for a specified period.