62-584: Ghaghra is a census town in the Ghaghra CD block in the Gumla subdivision of the Gumla district in the Indian state of Jharkhand . Ghaghra is located at 23°16′17″N 84°33′06″E / 23.271484°N 84.551667°E / 23.271484; 84.551667 The map alongside presents a rugged area, consisting partly of flat-topped hills called pat and partly of an undulating plateau, in
124-553: A solar power plant was commissioned to augment the power generation capacity. The world's first ever experimental low-temperature thermal desalination plant opened in Kavaratti in 2005, with a projected daily production capacity of 100,000 litres of potable water from seawater. The plant utilises the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and much colder seawater at about 500 m (1,600 ft) depth to generate potable water as well as energy. The technology
186-656: A tropical monsoon climate , bordering on a tropical savanna climate . The weather is warm throughout the year with temperatures ranging from 20 to 32 degree Celsius . While tropical cyclones arising in the Arabian Sea rarely strike the islands due to its smaller size, winds and waves associated with them could alter the features of the islands considerably. Lakshadweep is part of the Maldives-Lakshadweep-Chagos Archipelago tropical moist forests ecoregion . There are no forests on
248-489: A greater number of statutory towns, the states would be able to get more money from the Centre as per the 14th Finance Commission Report. Additionally, under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 50% weightage is given to the number of statutory towns in the state/UT to determine the allocation of funds to these states/UTs. Following this notification, Maharashtra state government converted 19 CTs in
310-413: A plan in early 2024 to extend the runway to enable it to handle larger narrow body aircraft and expand the infrastructure to convert the airport into dual-use for civilian and military purposes. The construction of a greenfield airport at Minicoy Island was also proposed. Two helicopters are presently operated by Pawan Hans and are utilised for passenger transport and emergency medical evacuation from
372-409: A playground and a library with 1,485 books. Project Girls High School Ghaghra is a Hindi-medium girls only institution established in 1983. It has facilities for teaching from class VI to class X. The school has a playground, a library with 60 books and has 2 computers for teaching and learning purposes. Census town In India and some other countries, a well developed village is designated as
434-712: A total land area of approximately 32.62 km (12.59 sq mi) and only ten of the islands are inhabited. The islands are located between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Laccadive Sea to the east, about 220–440 km (140–270 mi) off the Malabar Coast of mainland India. The territory is divided into three island subgroups: the Amindivi islands in the north, the Laccadive islands in
496-491: A total of 88 members across islands. These panchayats are combined to form a district panchayat, which has 26 elected members including the chairpersons of the ten village panchayats and the Member of Parliament for Lakshadweep Lok Sabha Constituency . The territory is also divided into five community development blocks: Kavaratti, Amini, Andrott, Minicoy and Kiltan, each administered by Collector-cum-Development Commissioner, who
558-462: A trade route with the Roman empire , with archeological evidence from as early as 2nd century CE obtained from Kadamath and Androth islands. Other travelers and historians such as Ammianus Marcellinus (4th century CE), Faxian (5th century CE), and Cosmas (6th century CE) mention the islands in their writings. Local traditions attribute the first settlement on the islands to Cheraman Perumal ,
620-430: A vast lagoon area and an exclusive economic zone of 400,000 km (150,000 sq mi), fishing is a major industry. The estimated annual production is 21,016 tonnes of which 60% is tuna and related fishes. About 60% of the total production is converted to dried products and 40% is allocated for local consumption. Commercial fishing is concentrated around 11 islands with skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna being
682-413: A village where all basic facilities like health, education road connectivity, rail connectivity and other basic infrastructure is easily available. In India, a census town is one which is not statutorily notified and administered as a town, but nevertheless whose population has attained urban characteristics. Census towns are governed by gram panchayats , unlike statutory towns. They are characterized by
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#1732765422075744-650: Is a union territory of India. It is an archipelago of 36 islands divided into three island subgroups: the Amindivi Islands in the north, the Laccadive Islands (separated from Amindivi roughly by the 11th parallel north ), and the atoll of Minicoy to the south of the Nine Degree Channel . The islands are located between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Laccadive Sea to the east, about 220–440 km (140–270 mi) off
806-596: Is a nucleus of either thirty occupied houses on both sides of the road or twenty occupied houses on one side of the Road". Census towns were distinct from municipal towns ; the latter, which had legally defined boundaries and local government powers, were abolished by the Local Government Reform Act 2014 . Census towns were replaced by built up areas in the 2022 census . Lakshadweep Lakshadweep ( Malayalam: [lɐkʂɐd̪βʷiːbɨ̆] )
868-515: Is a police station at Ghaghra. The headquarters of Ghaghra CD block are located at Ghaghra town. According to the District Census Handbook 2011, Gumla , Ghaghra covered an area of 15.91 km (6.14 sq mi). Among the civic amenities, it had 103 km (64 mi) of roads with both closed and open drains, the protected water supply involved uncovered well, hand pump. It had 1,150 domestic electric connections. Among
930-613: Is in charge of revenue and land settlement in their respective block. The commissioner also serves as a District magistrate and is assisted by an additional district magistrate and ten executive magistrates for enforcement of law and order. The administrator acts as the Inspector General of Police and has command and control of the Lakshadweep Police, which has a sanctioned strength of 349 personnel across nine police stations . The territory elects one member to
992-615: Is one of the four coral reef regions in India. Cetacean diversity off the Lakshadweep Islands and in adjacent areas include various whales (e.g., pygmy blue , Bryde's , sperm , orca , pilot whale ), and dolphins . The commonly seen are introduced cattle and poultry . Other notable marine fauna include sharks , bonitos , tunas , snappers , flying fish , Manta rays , octopuses , crabs , and turtles . There are 101 species of birds, common amongst them include
1054-576: Is populated by the Mahls , an ethnic group also resident in the Maldives . English is the official language of the union territory. Jeseri (also known as Dweep Basha ), a dialect of Malayalam , is widely spoken language in the Amindivi and Laccadive islands. Mahl , a dialect of Dhivehi , is spoken in Minicoy. There are minor variations of the same dialect across islands. Malayalam, written in
1116-508: Is required to ensure planned development of these areas. In this notification, Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) notes: The opportunity of planned urban development might get lost if unplanned construction and ad hoc provisioning of infrastructure is allowed to take place over a long time. Additionally, the Ministry, in the notification, has informed the states that they stand to gain from according statutory status to these towns. With
1178-594: Is the most spoken language in the Minicoy Island . The region comes under the judicial jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court . Fishing and agriculture are the major occupations in the islands. The name Lakshadweep is derived from Lakṣadvīpa meaning "one hundred thousand islands," presumably from Sanskrit or Malayalam . Laccadive seems to be the result of the Anglicization of
1240-569: Is the northernmost island group of the exposed undersea mountain range, the Chagos-Lakshadweep Ridge . While there are no conclusive theories about the formation of the atolls, Charles Darwin proposed in 1842 CE that the subsidence of a volcanic island resulted in the formation of a fringing reef, which grew upwards with continual subsidence. The individual islands are small, with none of them measuring more than 1 mi (1.6 km) across. Most inhabited islands are situated on
1302-472: Is the northernmost island group of the exposed undersea mountain range, the Chagos-Lakshadweep Ridge . The entire union territory is administered as a single district with Kavaratti as its capital. Archaeological evidence from Kalpeni indicates human settlement in the region from at least 1500 BCE with early reference to the islands in the Buddhist Jataka tales from the 3rd century BCE and
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#17327654220751364-497: The 2011 census , Lakshadweep has a population of 64,473, consisting of 33,123 (51.3%) males and 31,350 (48.7%) females, and had a sex ratio of 946 females per 1,000 males in 2011. It also recorded the highest sex ratio at birth amongst Indian territories as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in 2021. As per the 2011 census, there were a total of 11,574 households and about 50,332 (78%) of
1426-498: The Andaman Islands through India was thought by scientists to include Lakshadweep because of its location between Africa and the southwestern region of India. However, later genetic studies indicated that the majority of human ancestry in the islands derived from South Asia . Archaeological evidence from Kalpeni indicate the existence of human settlements in the region from at least 1500 BCE. The islands are mentioned in
1488-636: The Buddhist Jataka tales , dated to 3rd century CE. Archeological evidence indicates the spread of Buddhism to the islands during the time of Sanghmitra , the daughter of emperor Ashoka , presumed to have visited the island. Tamil Sangam literature Patiṟṟuppattu mentions that the region was ruled by the Cheras , one of the three kingdoms of ancient Tamilakam , in the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). The islands have been known to sailors since at least 1st century CE, as indicated in
1550-896: The Dominion of India , and later came under the administration of the Madras State after the Constitution of India was enacted in 1950. Following the States Reorganisation Act (1956) , the islands, which were earlier divided between the South Canara and Malabar districts of the Madras state, were organized into a separate union territory administered by the Government of India . The Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands were collectively renamed as
1612-661: The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War . The rest of the islands remained under the suzerainty of the Arakkal family in return for a payment of annual tribute to the British. The British took over the administration of these islands in 1908 CE, citing the nonpayment of taxes, and attached it to the Madras Presidency . After Indian Independence from colonial British rule in 1947, the islands became part of
1674-542: The Indian Independence in 1947 and was incorporated as a union territory in 1956. The name Lakshadweep means "one lakh islands" ( Lakṣadvīpa ; one hundred thousand islands) in Malayalam and Sanskrit , though the islands are part of an archipelago of fewer islands. English is the designated official language while Jeseri , a dialect of Malayalam , is the widely spoken native language . Dhivehi
1736-493: The Malabar Coast of mainland India. The islands occupy a total land area of approximately 32.62 km (12.59 sq mi) with a population of 64,473 as per the 2011 census across the ten inhabited islands. There is a 132 km (82 mi) long coastline with a lagoon area of 4,200 km (1,600 sq mi), territorial waters of 20,000 km (7,700 sq mi) and an exclusive economic zone of 400,000 km (150,000 sq mi). Lakshadweep
1798-629: The Malayalam script , was introduced as the primary language of Lakshadweep during the British Raj. This policy has been continued since independence, with Malayalam serving as a link language on all islands, including Minicoy. Previously, a type of Arabic script , known as the Ponnani or Arabi Malayalam script , was used as the writing system. The economy is dependent on agriculture , fishery , and tourism . As of 2013 , there were 72 registered micro and small industries majorly involved in
1860-710: The Middle East with South Asia . It came under the influence of the Portuguese briefly in the late 15th century CE before being ruled by the Arakkal kingdom , who were vassals of the Kolathiri Rajas of Kannur . The region was under the influence of the Mysore kingdom in the late 18th century and was later annexed to the British empire in 1799 CE. The islands became part of the Dominion of India following
1922-549: The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea . It contains an anonymous reference to the islands off the coast of Damirica as a source of a turtle shell . In 2nd century CE, Greek historian Ptolemy mentions 1378 islands located opposite to Taprobane (Sri Lanka) with the names of some of the islands given as Kanathara ( Kavaratti ), Argidion ( Agatti ), Ammine ( Amini ), and Monache ( Minicoy ). The islands later became part of
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1984-565: The Tamil Sangam literature Patiṟṟuppattu . The region was controlled by the Cheras in the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) and later by the Pallavas . Islam is presumed to have been brought in the 7th century by the arrival of Muslims . In the 11th century CE, the region was under influence of the Chola kingdom and formed a part of the trade route that connected
2046-475: The brown noddy and sooty tern and water birds such as herons , teals , and gulls . Pitti island is a declared bird sanctuary and an important breeding place for sea turtles and a number of pelagic birds including the brown noddy, lesser crested tern , and greater crested tern . Lakshadweep is a Union Territory and is governed by an administrator on behalf of the Government of India. It
2108-540: The lower house of the Indian parliament , the Lok Sabha . Lakshadweep is a reserved constituency for Scheduled Tribes . The union territory falls under the judicial jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court at Kochi , and has a system of lower courts under its authority. There is a district and sessions court in Kavaratti (established in 1997) and two munsiff courts in Andrott and Amini islands. According to
2170-469: The East (separated from Amindivi by the 11th parallel north ), and the atoll of Minicoy to the south of the Nine Degree Channel . The islands have a 132 km (82 mi) long coastline with a lagoon area of 4,200 km (1,600 sq mi), territorial waters of 20,000 km (7,700 sq mi), and an exclusive economic zone of 400,000 km (150,000 sq mi). Lakshadweep
2232-620: The Lakshadweep islands on 1 November 1973. The headquarters of the union territory remained at Kozhikode until 1964, when the seat of the Administrator was shifted to Kavaratti. The territory has developed into a key Indian naval establishment due to its strategic location near vital shipping lanes from India to the Middle East . Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands and islets that includes 12 atolls , three reefs , and five submerged banks . The islands occupy
2294-581: The Portuguese and expelled them in 1545 CE. In the mid 16th century CE, all inhabited islands were conferred as jagir (land grant) to the ruling family of Kannur by the Chirakkal family of Kolathiri to grant protection from the Portuguese . The Aminidivi islands came under the rule of Tipu Sultan of Mysore Kingdom in 1787 CE and were later annexed to the British Raj in 1799 CE after
2356-570: The age range 0–6 years was 1,280. The total number of literate persons in Ghaghra was 6,050 (82.88% of the population over 6 years). (*For language details see Ghaghra block#Language and religion ) Tana Bhagat Inter College Ghaghra is a Hindi-medium coeducational institution established in 1976. It has facilities for teaching in classes XI and XII. S.S. High School Ghaghra is a Hindi-medium coeducational institution established in 1956. It has facilities for teaching from class IX to class XII. It has
2418-513: The capture of the territory by the Pallavas of Kanchi in the late 7th century CE. Epigraphs indicate the capture of the region of Kavadi Dvepa (presumably Kavaratti) by the Kadambas in the 10th century CE. In the 11th century CE, the islands came under the rule of the Cholas . Chola inscriptions from Thanjavur , indicate that the region was captured by Rajendra Chola I in 1018-19 CE. In
2480-431: The current alcohol laws of India , alcoholic beverage consumption is not permitted on the islands, except on Bangaram. In 2024, the government proposed further programmes to improve infrastructure and promote tourism. The potential negative effects of tourism on the environment and ecosystem of the islands is a subject of debate. There is no single power grid that connects Lakshadweep; independent power houses cater to
2542-508: The eastern side of Lakshadweep and away from the low-lying lagoons to the West. The soil is generally sandy, derived from coral. According to a 2017 report, the Parali I island of Bangaram atoll has eroded and is completely inundated. Four other islands in the atoll also show various degrees of erosion: Parali II (80%), Thinnakara (14.4%), Parali III (11.4%), and Bangaram (9.9%). The islands have
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2604-433: The educational facilities it had 10 primary schools, 6 middle schools, 1 secondary school, 1 senior secondary school, 1 general degree college. It had the branch offices of 1 nationalised bank, 1 private commercial bank, 1 cooperative bank, 1 agricultural credit society. According to the 2011 Census of India , Ghaghra had a total population of 8,580, of which 4,294 (50%) were males and 4,286 (50%) were females. Population in
2666-1576: The following: Examples of Indian census towns include Kapsi in Chhattisgarh , Avinissery in Thrissur District of Kerala , Greater Noida , Chakeri and Manauri in Uttar Pradesh , Indranagar in Tripura , Begampur , Chandpara , Nandigram , Chittaranjan and Beliatore in West Bengal , Chevella in Telangana , Amini in Lakshadweep , Deolali in Maharashtra , Ghatshila in Purbi Singhbhum District of Jharkhand , BGR Township ( Bongaigaon Refinery Township ) in Bongaigaon Urban Agglomeration of Assam , Pileru in Andhra Pradesh , Chikhli in Gujarat and Ichgam in Jammu and Kashmir . The number of census towns (CTs) in India grew from 1,362 in 2001 to 3,894 in 2011. As per Pradhan (2013), these CTs account for 30% of
2728-675: The given name during the British Raj . Amindivi derives its name from the Amindivi people, who were the earliest inhabitants of the Amini Island . The native name of the Minicoy Island is Maliku , and the given name is the Anglicized version derived from the Nicobarese word Minikaa-raajje (meaning "land of the cannibals") as the island was known then in the Andaman and Nicobar . The early human migration from Africa to
2790-748: The government unveiled a plan to develop three ports at Androth, Kalpeni and Kadamath islands as a part of the Sagar Mala project . The ten inhabited island each have a minor port. There are fifteen lighthouses on the islands, with the Minicoy Island Lighthouse (built in 1885) being the first modern lighthouse. The Indian Navy operates the INS Dweeprakshak naval base under the Southern Naval Command , commissioned in 2012. The first public school
2852-570: The islands are descendants of migrants from the Malabar coast of Southwest India and are ethnically similar to the Mappilas of Kerala . According to local tradition, Islam was brought to the islands by Ubaidullah in 661 CE. Although Islam is the predominant religion currently, the earliest settlers were probably Hindus, evidenced by the current social stratification and matrilineal kinship system in Lakshadweep. The southernmost island of Minicoy
2914-539: The islands in 2018. The government is promoting tourism as a means to increase the income of the local population, with Bangaram and Kadmat islands being promoted as potential tourist destinations. To promote tourism, activities such as scuba diving , wind surfing , snorkelling , surfing , kayaking , canoeing , water skiing , sportfishing , yachting and night sea voyages have been established. Tourists require permission to visit Lakshadweep and foreign nationals are not permitted to visit certain islands. According to
2976-408: The islands. As of 2019 , there are 228 km (142 mi) of paved roads and no railway in the territory. Additional roads have been planned, including a peripheral road at Kavaratti and beach front roads at Kadamath and Agatti islands. As of 2023 , seven ships operate passenger services between Kochi and the islands, with seasonal boat/ferry services available between islands. In 2024,
3038-883: The islands. Nearly 400 species of flowering plants have been documented, including three species of sea grasses Cymodocea isoetifolia , Syringodium isoetifolium and Thalassia hemprichii , other angiosperms such as Pandanus , Heliotropium foertherianum , Tournefortia argentea and Pemphis acidula , fungi , algae , and lichens . The common flora of the atolls include coconut groves and coastal shrubs such as Pemphis acidula , Cordia subcordata , Scaevola taccada , Thespesia populnea , Suriana maritima , Dodonaea viscosa , Guettarda speciosa , and seaweeds such as sea lettuces , Codium , and Hypena . There are over 600 recorded species of marine fishes, 78 species of corals , 82 species of seaweed , 52 species of crabs , 2 species of lobsters , 48 species of gastropods , and 12 species of bivalves . It
3100-493: The last Chera king of Kerala, though no historical evidence exists apart from the presence of ancient Hindu social stratification . According to local tradition, Islam was brought to the islands by Ubaidullah in 661 CE, whose purported grave is located in the Andrott island. Inscriptions from Vayalur (in Tamil Nadu ) indicates a naval battle fought during the reign of Narasimhavarman II (680-720 CE), which resulted in
3162-426: The late 11th century CE, it became part of a small Hindu kingdom before being passed on to the Kingdom of Kannur in early 12th century CE. The islands are mentioned in the writings of travelers Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta in the 13th-14th century CE. In the late 15th century CE, the islands came under the control of the Portuguese as a source of coir for their industries. The native islanders revolted against
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#17327654220753224-422: The only commercial varieties. The government runs a tuna canning factory in the islands. Fishing is carried out using mechanized fishing boats, traditional country crafts, and country crafts fitted with outboard motors. Tourism in Lakshadweep began in 1974, when the Bangaram atoll was opened for international tourism. According to government statistics, 10,435 domestic tourists and 1,313 foreign tourists visited
3286-447: The population lived in urban areas. As per the NSO survey in 2017, the literacy rate was 92.28%, the second highest amongst all Indian territories. As per the NFHS, the fertility rate was 1.4, significantly below the national average of 2.0. Islam (96.6%) is the major religion of people of the islands with Sunni Islam being the predominant denomination, followed by Hinduism (2.8%) and Christianity (0.5%). Most settlers of
3348-459: The power requirements of the islands. Minicoy was the first island to be electrified in 1962, followed by Kavaratti in 1964 and others later, with Bitra being the last island to be electrified in 1982. Two diesel generators were established in 1962, which generate about 51.6 Kilo Watts of power. As of 2012 , the islands have 41 diesel generators and 12 solar photovoltaic systems with a total installed capacity of 18.5 Mega Watts. In January 2024,
3410-418: The public sector, and the manufacture of food products and furniture . With a minimal arable land of 2.58 hectares, the major agriculture produce is coconuts. The major exports from Lakshadweep are coconut products including coconut fibre (coir) and fishes. The government runs five coir factories, five production demonstration centers, and seven curling units that produce coir fiber, yarn and mats. With
3472-432: The south-western portion of Chota Nagpur Plateau . Three major rivers – the Sankh , South Koel and North Karo - along with their numerous tributaries, drain the area. The hilly area has large deposits of Bauxite . 93.7% of the population lives in rural areas. Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the district. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. There
3534-404: The state to statutory ULBs. These 19 CTs are in close proximity to the town of Pune and this conversion is expected to lessen the infrastructure and population pressures on the town. According to Ireland's Central Statistics Office , a census town by definition was a "cluster of fifty or more occupied dwellings, not having a legally defined boundary, in which within a distance of 800 m there
3596-403: The urban growth in the last decade. Pradhan also notes that the largest increase in the number of CTs was in the states of West Bengal and Kerala. The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, in May 2016 asked the 28 states in India to take action to start the process of recognizing CTs as urban areas. The argument given for this conversion was that a statutory Urban Local Body (ULB)
3658-461: Was developed at the National Institute of Ocean Technology and the government has announced plans to build three more such plants. Mobile communication service is provided by state-owned BSNL across all inhabited islands and Airtel in Kavratti and Agatti islands. In 2020, the government announced a project to install under-sea fiber optic cable for high-speed mobile and internet connectivity between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep, which
3720-530: Was established in 1956 and constitutes a single Indian district . The headquarters of the union territory were at Kozhikode until 1964, when the seat of the administrator of the islands was shifted to Kavaratti. Since then, the administration secretariat is based in Kavaratti. The territory is divided into ten administrative sub-divisions headed by sub-divisional officers, except the Minicoy and Agatti islands which are headed by deputy collectors. The ten inhabited islands have village panchayats consisting of
3782-424: Was inaugurated in January 2024. Post offices run by India Post provide mail service. Lakshadweep is served by four hospitals with 200 beds, four primary health centers, and 14 sub-health centers operated by the government. The only airport in the territory is Agatti Airport on Agatti island. The 1.2 km (0.75 mi) runway is capable of serving small turboprop aircraft. The government announced
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#17327654220753844-418: Was opened in Amini in 1904, followed by the establishment of elementary schools at Kiltan in 1911 and Kadmat in 1925. The first high schools were established in the 1960s in Amini and Kalpeni. As of 2023 , there are 50 schools catering to 8,350 students. There are four government colleges affiliated to Pondicherry University and two colleges and three university centers affiliated to Calicut University in
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