Dear readers

The beauty of Lakshadweep is unparalleled - tiny emerald drops set in azure and deep blue-with a water-world, teeming with colours that should make our hearts swell with national pride. Just about an hour by air from the ‘God’s own country’ - the well packaged Kerala where tourists from world over make a beeline to - for a taste of India, yet Lakshadweep is far from accessible as permits control the tourist population.

Here we have a group of islands - 11 to be precise, with a population of 65,000 persons and about 50,000 livestock, primarily cattle and goat inhabiting an area of 32 sq km. Only coconut and fish being locally available, the island’s heavy dependency on the mainland is well understood. It is true that ecotourism based sustainable business models will provide a fillip to the islanders’ livelihoods apart from showcasing the beauty of our country. Also that an enhanced possibility of earnings will usher in a new learning amongst the islanders about sanitation, ecofriendly housing, land upgradation, water management and species diversity. The government thus needs to pro actively work out a sustainability plan, with larger funds being diverted into the region to develop adequate infrastructure with the protection of the islands and its people in mind.

This issue of G’nY outlines the concerns of Lakshadweep - a near forgotten biodiversity rich region of our nation, waiting to be explored by its responsible and conscientious citizens.