India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent campaign to promote tourism in the pristine archipelago of Lakshadweep has sparked a diplomatic crisis between India and the Maldives. While Modi’s intentions were to attract tourists to Lakshadweep, South Asia’s smallest nation saw it as an attempt to draw tourists away from their resorts. The controversy has led to a war of words on social media, with Indian influencers pitching Lakshadweep as a tourist destination and criticizing the Maldives in response.
However, amidst the tourism tussle between India and the Maldives, the people of Lakshadweep have more pressing concerns. With limited transportation options, the population of 64,000 inhabitants must rely on just two ships that ferry them between the islands and the mainland once every week or 10 days. Locals are calling on the government, including Prime Minister Modi, to address these basic needs before focusing on larger tourism plans.
Lakshadweep, unlike other states and territories in India, does not have a democratically elected government. The archipelago is governed by an administrator appointed by the federal government, who many locals accuse of disregarding their concerns. Recent actions, such as the demolition of fishermen’s sheds in the capital, Kavaratti, have raised tensions. The fishermen’s union has contested the move in court, highlighting the need to balance tourism development with the livelihoods of the local community.
The lack of adequate transportation and infrastructure poses significant challenges for Lakshadweep’s youth, many of whom travel to mainland India for education. Limited connectivity and difficulties obtaining tickets have hindered their ability to study and return to the islands. As a result, the ambitious plans to transform Lakshadweep into a tourist destination like the Maldives face significant obstacles.
While tourism could bring much-needed jobs and economic growth, Lakshadweep is currently ill-equipped to compete with the Maldives’ flourishing tourism industry. The economy traditionally relied on copra and dry tuna exports, but the introduction of modern education has led to increased literacy rates and aspirations for government jobs. However, tourism remains a minimal revenue source for the archipelago.
The management of tourism in Lakshadweep falls under the purview of a society named SPORTS, owned by the Lakshadweep administration. Currently, tourism activities are concentrated in inhabited islands such as Agatti, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kadmat, Minicoy, and the uninhabited island of Bangaram. Despite having an airport on Agatti island and a government-run ship accommodating tourists, Lakshadweep only has approximately 100 hotel rooms. In contrast, the Maldives boasts over 1,000 resorts and hotels, making it a more attractive destination for international travelers.
Plans for luxury resorts in Lakshadweep, including water villas perched on stilts, have faced opposition from environmentalists concerned about the impact on fragile coral reefs. The Integrated Islands Management Plan (IIMP) emphasizes sustainable development and local interests, but there are allegations that the administrator and his team may bypass these guidelines.
The Lakshadweep administration’s recent termination of thousands of employees, including sanitation workers, has further hindered tourism potential. The islands now face issues with waste management, as incinerators are no longer functional and plastic waste accumulates. Locals question the administrator’s claims of cleaning the islands while disengaging those responsible for maintaining cleanliness.
As the controversy surrounding Lakshadweep’s tourism plans unfolds, it is crucial to address the concerns of the local population and prioritize their basic needs. Improving transportation, infrastructure, and waste management are essential steps to ensure sustainable development and the well-being of the islands’ inhabitants.
