The residents of Lakshadweep are expressing strong opposition to the Union Territory administration’s recent notification to acquire 101,020 square meters of private land on Agatti Island for Lakshadweep Land Acquisition. This move, intended for tourism and other projects, has been met with concern as it bypasses the mandatory approval of gram sabhas and landowners, a requirement under existing law.
The notification, issued by Lakshadweep Collector Shivam Chandra on January 5, 2026, states that while a Social Impact Assessment will be conducted in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, the consent of gram sabhas and landowners is not deemed necessary. This has alarmed the islanders, who discovered the notification shortly after its release.
On February 1, 2026, six residents from Agatti sent a memorandum to the Minister of Tribal Affairs, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and the advisor to the Lakshadweep Administrator. The memorandum highlights the shock over the non-mandatory consent clause and criticizes the administration’s recent projects for acquiring large areas of tribal land, which are seen as harmful to the fragile environment of the coral islands.
Lakshadweep, comprising 36 islands with only 10 inhabited, covers a land area of 32 square kilometers and a lagoon area of 4200 square kilometers. The majority of its population belongs to Scheduled Tribes. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of the proposed 12-meter wide concrete road along Agatti Island’s coastline, which may damage the unique marine environment and tranquil atmosphere.
The situation in Lakshadweep is compounded by previous environmental challenges, including a severe coral bleaching event in 2024, attributed to climate change and marine heatwaves. The island’s future remains uncertain as local opposition continues to grow against the administration’s development plans. Further discussions and potential legal challenges are expected in the coming months.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 5th, 2026
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