Q. With reference to the Katchatheevu Island, consider the following statements:
1.It is located in the Palk Strait.
2.It is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
3.In 1974, India and Sri Lanka signed a maritime agreement that ceded Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Katchatheevu Island is located in the Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating India and Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu Island is not suitable for permanent settlement due to the absence of a reliable source of drinking water. The island is small and uninhabited, with a size of approximately 285 acres. In 1974, India and Sri Lanka signed a maritime agreement that ceded Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. The agreement aimed to resolve long-standing territorial disputes and fishery-related issues between the two countries. However, the agreement has been a source of controversy, particularly among the Indian fishing community in Tamil Nadu, who claim traditional fishing rights in the waters surrounding the island.
Source: The Hindu
