News Excerpt:

Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, promoting tourism on the island and setting off a social media war between Maldivian politicians, government officials, and Indian social media users.

• The delicate balance between the environment and development in Lakshadweep islands is greatly hinged on the complex, fragile ecosystems with the livelihoods of the islanders being dependent on coconut, fish and the coral reefs, which are the lifelines of the islands.

Ecological fragility of Lakshadweep:

• Experts fear the anticipated tourist influx will impact Lakshadweep's fragile ecosystem, which is already threatened by deep-sea fishing, coral mining, and recurring climate change, heavily harming its beaches and dunes.
• The fragility of Lakshadweep's ecosystem arises from the prevalence of atolls (ring-shaped islands or reefs), which struggle to survive in regions influenced by overtourism.
• Being oceanic, small and far removed from the mainland, geographically isolated and exposed, the environment is sometimes cruel to the islands. 
• Since the vast open ocean surrounds them, they are subjected to storms, cyclones and heavy rains. 
• Their low level makes them vulnerable to sea level rise (even by about two meters and the consequent impact) as an effect of the potential global warming and climate change. 
• The islands also face the risk of seawater inundation due to storm surges and tsunami waves.
• Coastal erosion is one of the serious natural problems Lakshadweep faces. 
• About 200 running km of seashore is stated to be subjected to severe erosion according to the Centre for Earth Sciences Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Lakshadweep is on the trade route between Africa, Arabia and the west coast of India (Malabar). 
• There has been a drastic increase in passenger and cargo traffic across the seas when untreated wastes and waste oil are discharged from oil tankers and ships into the sea. 
• These cause heavy pollution, resulting in damage to the coral reefs. 
• According to a study by the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, around 25% decrease in the growth rate (calcification rate) of hard corals was observed between 1993 and 2003, attributed to global warming caused by high levels of carbon dioxide.
• Coral bleaching or loss of colour from corals under stress due to environmental conditions, especially the high water temperature, probably due to global warming, was studied by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Lakshadweep.
• The islands and the reefs support people's livelihoods, providing food, income, employment, shelter and protection. 
• However, the island's economic development over the years brought several anthropogenic vulnerabilities to the islands. 
• Thus, the delicate ecosystems and the unpolluted environment were brought face to face with developmental activities. 

Solution: A Sustainable Approach

• To address the ecological and economic needs of the archipelago, there is a necessity for proper sewage treatment, transportation, and accommodation.
• Big tourism plans should be executed with a structured action plan. 
• The first step involves developing a feasibility plan and conducting an environmental impact assessment to identify ecologically significant islands and those with existing human habitation and trade activities. 
• Considerations should be made for potential disruption to fishing activities caused by new developments, such as hotels.
• Implementing sustainable measures, including preferring smaller hotels with a reduced carbon footprint and incorporating renewable energy sources, is crucial. 
• Ensuring the presence of sewage treatment facilities and designated waste disposal areas is imperative to prevent environmental harm, particularly waste disposal into the sea. 
• Given the limited space, exploring the possibility of handling accommodations through homestays is an option.