News: The Lakshadweep administration is exploring the possibility of acquiring Bitra, one of the inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defense-related purposes.
About Bitra Island
- Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the Lakshadweep archipelago
- It has a length of 0.57km and a width of 0.28km at the broadest point.
- It is uniquely located on the northeastern tip of a large coral ring reef, offering natural protection.
- The island’s most striking feature is its lagoon, which spans 45.61 sq km, making it the largest lagoon in Lakshadweep.
- A notable feature of the island is a small shrine dedicated to Malik Mulla, an old Arab saint believed to be buried here. This shrine remains a revered pilgrimage site for people from neighboring islands.
- Bitra has a tropical climate ranges from 32oC (Max.) to 28oC (Min.)
Strategic importance of Bitra Island
- Bitra Island holds strategic importance for India due to its position in the Arabian Sea, close to major international shipping lanes.
- Its location makes Bitra ideal for enhancing India’s maritime surveillance and defence capabilities.
- Bitra is set to become the third island in the Lakshadweep archipelago to host a defence establishment. The other two Indian naval bases in the region are INS Dweeprakshak, located in Kavaratti—the Union Territory’s capital—and INS Jatayu, situated in Minicoy.
