Bitra
  Bitra Location of Bitra in Lakshadweep | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Arabian Sea |
| Coordinates | 11°33′N 72°09′E / 11.550°N 72.150°E |
| Type | coral atoll |
| Archipelago | Lakshadweep |
| Adjacent to | Indian Ocean |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Major islands |
|
| Area | 0.187 km2 (0.072 sq mi)[1] |
| Highest elevation | 2 m (7 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Territory | Union territory of Lakshadweep |
| District | Lakshadweep |
| Island group | Aminidivi |
| Tehsils of India | Aminidivi |
| Subdivisions of India | Bitra |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 278 (2016) |
| Pop. density | 1,570/km2 (4070/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Malayali, Mahls |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| PIN | 682555 |
| Telephone code | 04890 |
| ISO code | IN-LD-07[2] |
| Official website | lakshadweep |
| Literacy | 84.4% |
| Avg. summer temperature | 32.0 °C (89.6 °F) |
| Avg. winter temperature | 28.0 °C (82.4 °F) |
| Sex ratio | 57%♂/♀ |
Bitra, also known as Bitrā Par, is a coral atoll belonging to the Amindivi Subgroup of islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India.[3] It is 483 km (300 mi) west of the city of Kochi.
History[edit]
Prior to the 20th century, islanders from Kiltan and Chetlat visited the island to collect the eggs of pelagic birds breeding there. Until 1945, when a woman from Chetlat made this island her home, there were no attempts to settle this island permanently.[4] There is a small shrine dedicated to an old Arab saint by the name of Malik Mulla who was buried on the island. The shrine has become a pilgrimage site.[5]
Geography[edit]
The atoll of Bitra encompasses two islands. The main Bitra Island 0.177 km2 (0.068 sq mi) is located at the northern end of the Bitrā Par coral reef 11°35′53″N 72°11′13″E / 11.598°N 72.187°E.[6] The small south cay 0.009 km2 (0.0035 sq mi)is located on the southern part of the coral reef 11°31′26″N 72°10′34″E / 11.524°N 72.176°E. Bitra is the smallest of the populated islands of Lakshadweep. It is located 33 km to the north of Perumal Par and 41 km to the southeast of Byramgore Reef.[7] The Bitra Par lagoon area is 54.61 km2 (21.09 sq mi).
Population[edit]
The 2011 census determined that 271 people made this island their home, making it the least populated among the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep.[8]
Administration[edit]
The atoll belongs to the township of Bitra of Aminidivi Tehsil.[9]
Transportation[edit]
The main island has a small jetty on the south shore and a helipad on the westpoint.
Economics[edit]
The inhabitants on the island are engaged in very small scale farming and fishing which are mainly for the island's consumption.
Image gallery[edit]
-
Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy -
Map
References[edit]
- ^ "Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census" (PDF). Government of Lakshadweep. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2016.
- ^ Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code
- ^ Hydrographic Description (Indian Ocean Pilot)
- ^ "Bitra Island, Lakshadweep". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "MGNREGS - Bitra Island" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "Oceandots - Bitrā Par". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Birds of Lakshadweep Islands
- ^ "Lakshadweep - Five Year Plan". Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Tehsils info
External links[edit]
- Bitra Island
Lakshadweep travel guide from Wikivoyage
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