Bitra Island

Bitra Island Latest News

The Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command recently said the Navy is setting up a detachment in Bitra Island, which “is more or less completed”.

About Bitra Island

• It is located in the northern region of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
• It is the smallest inhabited island in the territory. 
• It has a land area of 0.105 sq.km. 
• It has a length of 0.57 km and a width of 0.28 km at the broadest point. 
• Though the land area is small, its lagoon area is 45.61 sq.km.
• There is a small shrine of Malik Mulla, an old Arab saint who is said to have been buried here. The shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the people of other islands.
• As per the 2011 census, the population of Bitra Island is 271.
• Climate:
  • The climate of Bitra is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year.
  • The temperature ranges from 25°C to 35°C, and humidity ranges from 70 to 76 percent for most of the year.
• It used to be covered by thick shrubs and was the breeding ground for seabirds. In the early 19th century the birds left the place due to human interference.
• It is strategically important to India, as it lies in a key position in the Arabian Sea.
• Bitra would become the third island in the archipelago with a defence establishment – two Indian naval bases in the archipelago are INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, the capital of the UT, and INS Jatayu in Minicoy.

Source: NIE

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