Consider the following statements:1. Lakshadweep group of islands is ...
Important Point - The major island groups of India are the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea.
- In the Arabian Sea, there are three types of islands.
- Amindivi Islands
- Laccadive Islands
- Minicoy Island
- At present,Islands these islands are collectively known as Lakshadweep.
- The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 25 small islands.
- Amindivi Islands are the northernmost, while the Minicoy island is the southernmost.
- This group of islands is composed of small coral islands. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- Kavaratti Island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
- This island group has a great diversity of flora and fauna.
- Their topography is flat, and relief features such as hills, streams, valleys, etc., are absent.
- The Pitti island, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.
- The world’s first sea cucumber conservation reserve (Dr. KK Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve) is being set up in Lakshadweep and will be spread across a 239 km² area. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- The announcement came after reports of smuggling of sea cucumbers and other vulnerable marine species for sale in east Asia.
Additional Information - Sea cucumbers are single-branched marine organisms that are found generally on the sea bed in tropical regions.
- Sea cucumbers are invertebrates ranging in sizes up to six feet (1.8m).
- The species is high in demand across south-east Asia, mainly China, for food and traditional medicine.
- The declining number of sea cucumbers is bad news for all of us because they are crucial to maintaining the balance of ocean habitats.
- They are an integral part of the coral ecosystem as one of the main by-products of the sea cucumbers’ digestion of sand is calcium carbonate, and this is essential for the survival of the coral reefs.
- They act like garbage collectors of the ocean world, and they recycle nutrients, thus playing an important role in keeping coral reefs in good condition.
- In India, the species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, akin to the protection for a tiger, leopard, or elephant.
- They cannot be transported in any form for commercial use and are also protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which India is a signatory.
- A total ban on harvesting of sea cucumbers was imposed in 2001 under the WPA by the Union environment ministry.
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Consider the following statements:1. Lakshadweep group of islands is ...
Statement 1: Lakshadweep group of islands is composed of small coral islands.
Statement 2: The world's first sea cucumbers conservation reserve is being set up in Lakshadweep.
The correct answer is option C, which means both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Explanation:
- The Lakshadweep group of islands is indeed composed of small coral islands. Lakshadweep is an archipelago located in the Arabian Sea, off the southwestern coast of India. It consists of 36 islands, out of which only 10 are inhabited. The islands are mainly of coral origin and are known for their beautiful coral reefs, lagoons, and beaches.
- The second statement is also correct. The Lakshadweep administration has recently taken an initiative to set up the world's first sea cucumbers conservation reserve in the islands. Sea cucumbers are echinoderms that play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. They are also an important resource for the local economy, as they are harvested for their medicinal and culinary value.
- The conservation reserve aims to protect and sustainably manage the sea cucumbers population by implementing measures to prevent overfishing and habitat destruction. It will also promote research and awareness about the importance of sea cucumbers in the marine ecosystem.
- This initiative is significant as it not only helps in conserving a vulnerable marine species but also contributes to the overall preservation of the marine biodiversity in the Lakshadweep region.
- The establishment of the conservation reserve highlights the commitment of the Lakshadweep administration towards sustainable development and conservation of the marine environment.
- It is worth mentioning that the establishment of the sea cucumbers conservation reserve in Lakshadweep is a global first, and it sets an example for other regions to follow in the conservation of marine species and ecosystems.
In conclusion, both statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Lakshadweep group of islands is composed of small coral islands, and the world's first sea cucumbers conservation reserve is being set up in Lakshadweep.
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