Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP) of Lakshadweep Island
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (IA Division), through letter No.19011/16/91-1A.III dated 23 October 2015, approved Integrated Island Management Plans for ten inhabited Lakshadweep islands and directed the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration to comply with specified environmental and development safeguards. The approval applies to Lakshadweep, not to land in Tamil Nadu.
What the approval covers
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved Integrated Island Management Plans for Kavaratti, Agatti, Androth, Amini, Kadamat, Kalpeni, Chetlat, Kiltan, Bitra and Minicoy. The plans were prepared by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, with six identified gaps addressed through reports from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai.
The approval followed recommendations from the Justice R. V. Raveendran Committee, the Lakshadweep Coastal Zone Management Authority and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority. The Island Protection Zone Notification, 2011 regulates development in Lakshadweep and required preparation of these plans for integrated sustainable development.
Who is affected
The Integrated Island Management Plans directly affect government bodies, developers, resort and tourist home operators, landholders and island residents undertaking development in the ten listed Lakshadweep islands. They do not govern property or coastal land in Tamil Nadu.
Main development controls
Key directions to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration include:
- Maintain a uniform 20 m No Development Zone from the High Tide Line along the Lakshadweep coastline.
- Require approval under Development Control Regulations before any development begins, including government projects.
- Do not regularise projects started without prior approval after the Development Control Regulations come into operation.
- Implement development in consultation with elected local self-government bodies and in accordance with the Integrated Island Management Plans.
- Protect corals, sea grass, lagoons, beaches, coastal dunes and other ecosystems.
- Limit licensed resorts and private tourist homes so total tourist capacity does not exceed each island's permitted carrying capacity.
- Do not promote home stays as tourist accommodation.
Coastal protection and restricted activities
The Ministry's directions favour scientifically designed, ecologically sustainable erosion control. Hard coastal structures are to be used only where erosion is extremely critical and threatens infrastructure or invaluable assets or properties, based on detailed scientific studies.
For Agatti, site-specific surveys and modelling must examine coastal processes, coral reefs, shoreline effects and climate change. Until those studies are completed, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration must prohibit dredging, sand mining, foreshore construction, pipeline laying and other activities detrimental to the coastline and coral reefs. High-resolution mapping of coastlines, corals and other natural resources is also directed.
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Common questions
Does this approval affect coastal property in Tamil Nadu?
No. The approval covers Integrated Island Management Plans for ten inhabited islands in Lakshadweep.
Can development take place within 20 m of the High Tide Line in Lakshadweep?
The directions establish a uniform 20 m No Development Zone from the High Tide Line along the Lakshadweep coastline.
Is prior approval required for government projects in the covered islands?
Yes. Approval under the Development Control Regulations is compulsory before starting any development, including government projects.
Are dredging and sand mining allowed at Agatti?
They must be prohibited until the required site-specific scientific studies are completed. The restriction also covers activities such as foreshore construction and pipeline laying that are detrimental to the coastline and coral reefs.
