Context

The Lakshadweep administration has issued a notification to acquire Bitra Island for defence purposes, triggering strong opposition from local residents and political leaders. Concerns have been raised over livelihood loss, displacement, and constitutional rights.

What is Bitra Island?

• Smallest inhabited island in the Lakshadweep archipelago
• Land Area: Just 0.105 sq. km
• Lagoon Area: Approx. 45.61 sq. km
• Cultural Significance: Home to the shrine of Malik Mulla, a revered Arab saint
• Population (2011 Census): 271 residents from 105 families

Location and Administration

• Coordinates: 11°36′N, 72°11′E
• Located ~483 km west of Kochi, Kerala
• Falls under the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, governed by the Lakshadweep Administration

Geographical and Climatic Features

Strategic and Defence Importance

Geostrategic Location

• Lies near major international shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea
• Offers surveillance potential over Strait of Hormuz and Malacca route
• Important for maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

Defence Proposal

• Proposed development of a defence outpost
• To complement existing naval bases:
  • INS Dweeprakshak (Kavaratti)
  • INS Jatayu (Minicoy)
• Justified on grounds of:
  • Strategic positioning
  • Logistical difficulties in maintaining civilian infrastructure on a defence-sensitive island

Controversy and Local Opposition

• “Save Bitra Island” campaign launched by locals
• Public protests and social media mobilisation
• Fears over loss of ancestral land, cultural erasure, and livelihood displacement

Legal Framework and Process

• Acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA) initiated; survey to be completed within two months

Significance and Broader Implications

• Reflects India’s expanding naval posture in the Indian Ocean
• Highlights tensions between national security priorities and indigenous rights
• Raises questions about informed consent, environmental impact, and federal governance
• Bitra becomes the third island in Lakshadweep targeted for strategic infrastructure after Kavaratti and Minicoy

Conclusion

The proposed acquisition of Bitra Island underscores the delicate balance between national security imperatives and the rights of indigenous island communities. As India strengthens its maritime presence, it must ensure inclusive, sustainable, and consultative governance in ecologically and culturally sensitive regions like Lakshadweep.

Source: HT