The
Lakshadweep reefs (9-12ºN; 72-74ºE) are the only atolls
in the Indian seas. This group comprises of 12 atolls, 3 reefs,
5 submerged banks and 36 islands. 
The
Lakshadweep atolls lie about 200 km offshore from the west coast
of India.Bitra is the northernmost atoll and also has the smallest
inhabited island in India on it. Minicoy atoll is the southernmost,
separated from the rest by the 9º channels.
Biodiversity
is relatively quite high in the Lakshadweep atolls. The current
record for the Scleractinian corals is 104 species under 40 genera,
which in all probability is a lower estimate, since collections
were restricted so far only to shallow waters and few islands.
Several other groups, however, have been well studied. For example,
603 species of fishes are known from the Lakshadweep reefs.
Noteworthy
associated ecosystem is the sea grass bed in the lagoons of several
atolls. Minicoy island has a small patch of mangroves at the southern
end.
The islanders are seafarers and fishermen. The skipjack Katsuwonus
pelamis is the tuna caught in abundance and marketed commercially.
Fishing in the lagoons is mainly for sustenance. Tourism is a
developing activity but carefully regulated so as not to exceed
the carrying capacity of the islands.
GULF
OF KACHCHH --- GULF
OF MANNAR ---
LAKSHADWEEP ---
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
LAKSHADWEEP