India loses entire island in Lakshadweep and the reason is extremely disturbing

According to a new study, coastal erosion has robbed India of one of the most biodiversity-rich uninhabited islands of the Lakshadweep. 

Parali I island has vanished and four other such islands are on the verge of washing away. Parali I island, part of Bangaram atoll, which was 0.032 km2 in 1968 has eroded by almost 100 per cent resulting in its flooding. This was reported by RM Hidayathulla in his research work.

Hidayathulla hails from Androth in Lakshadweep. He was awarded PhD in July this year by Calicut University in Kerala for his work "Studies on Coastal Erosion in Selected Uninhabited Islands of Lakshadweep Archipelago with Special Reference to Biodiversity Conservation."

"The results are indicative of the urgent measures to be implemented on each islet of the atoll to check further erosion. It is also recommended to check the feasibility of a bio protection strategy using mangroves, in addition to the conventional physical protection measures," said Hidayathulla while talking to PTI.

Hidayathulla conducted studies on assessment of the biodiversity confining to five uninhabited islands–Bangaram, Thinnakara, Parali I, II and III, of which Parali I has been inundated, of Bangaram isle in Lakshadweep, and an archipelago of 36 islands in the Lakshadweep sea.

The study said the complete erosion and inundation of Parali I was pointing to the gravity of issues associated with coastal erosion within the atoll.