Second Five Year Plan of Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands 1957-1961

Abstract

The Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands are a group of coral islands lying in the north latitude of 8° and 12° in the Arabian Sea, situated at varying distances from about 125 to 250 miles-off the west coast of Malabar- the Islands are long and narrow and the inhabited portion is generally in the broadest part. Most of the islands have got a lagoon on the western side and a storm beach on the eastern side. It is probable that all the islands have been formed by the up-growth of coral from under the sea. the islands themselves are only 10-30 above sea-level- The average annual] rain-fall varies from 48'-54'. There are no rivers on the islands, nor roads. the entire soil is sandy, the highest fertility being only in the middle of each island.