CleanupBot II at 18:29, 13 August 2023

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{{Short description|Island in the Outer Islands of Seychelles}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Assumption Island
| image_name = Assumption Island Seychelles.jpg
| image_caption = Assumption Island
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_width =
| map = Seychelles
| map_caption = Location of Assumption Island in Seychelles
| native_name =
| native_name_link =
| native_name_lang = fr
| sobriquet = Île de l'Assomption
| location = [[Indian Ocean]]
| coordinates = {{coord|09|45|S|46|29|E|region:SC_type:isle_dim:50000_source:enwiki|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago = [[Seychelles]]
| waterbody = [[Indian Ocean]]
| total_islands = 1
| major_islands = {{hlist |Assumption }}
| area_km2 = 11.60
| coastline_km = 17.23
| length_km = 6.7
| width_km = 2.9
| highest_mount = southeast hill
| elevation_m = 32
| country = [[Seychelles]] (leased by [[India]])
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[Geography of Seychelles|Group]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[Outer Islands (Seychelles)|Outer Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Geography of Seychelles|Sub-Group]]
| country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Aldabra Group]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_3 = [[Districts of Seychelles|Districts]]
| country_admin_divisions_3 = [[Outer Islands (Seychelles)|Outer Islands District]]
| country_largest_city =Assumption
| country_largest_city_population = 20
| population = 20
| population_as_of = 2016
| density_km2 = 1.7
| ethnic_groups = [[Seychellois Creole people|Creole]], [[Franco-Seychellois|French]], [[List of ethnic groups of Africa|East Africans]], [[Indo-Seychellois|Indians]].
| website = {{URL|http://www.seychelles.travel/en/discover/the-islands/outer-islands}}
| iso_code_type = [[ISO 3166-2:SC|ISO code]]
| iso_code = SC-26
| timezone1 = [[Seychelles Time|SCT]]
| utc_offset1 = +4
| utc_offset1_DST = +4

}}

'''Assumption Island''' is a small island in the [[Outer Islands (Seychelles)|Outer Islands]] of [[Seychelles]] north of [[Madagascar]], {{convert|1135|km|abbr=on}} south-west of the capital, [[Victoria, Seychelles|Victoria]], on [[Mahé, Seychelles|Mahé]] Island.
In 2018, [[Seychelles]] and [[India]] signed an agreement to build and operate a joint military facility on a portion of the island, which the National Assembly of Seychelles refuted the agreement and deemed after protestation by the citizens of Seychelles.
As protests continued, the Seychellois president endorsed the Assumption Island deal with India.<ref name=Indassum1>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/seychelles-committed-to-indian-naval-base/article8022404.ece|title='Seychelles committed to Indian naval base'|date=23 December 2015|publisher=|newspaper=The Hindu|last1=Bhattacherjee|first1=Kallol}}</ref><ref name=Indassum2>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21704804-india-china-and-japan-are-battling-influence-asias-scramble-africa|title=Asia's scramble for Africa|publisher=|newspaper=The Economist|date=13 August 2016}}</ref><ref name=Indassum3>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/naval-base-in-seychelles/1/557245.html|title=India to form its first Naval Base in Seychelles to tighten vigil over Indian Ocean: Read to know more : Current Affairs|publisher=}}</ref> The plan caused public protests by activists who believed that the islands should stay out of the brewing [[China–India relations|India-China regional conflict]]. The agreement was declared "''dead''" by the Island's opposition party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/indian-military-base-seychelles/|title=Is China Against the Expansion of Indian Military Base in Seychelles?|last=Desk|first=EurAsian Times|date=2018-03-22|website=EurAsian Times: Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-19}}</ref>

==History==
Assumption Island was discovered by Captain Nicolas Morphey on 14 August 1756, and was named after the religious feast of the next day.
In 1908, the island was leased to Mr H. Savy of [[Mahé, Seychelles|Mahé]], who built a coconut plantation there.
The first settlement was in the northern part of the island.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090918194603/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/136/v136.pdf Atoll research bulletin]</ref>
During a visit two years later, he realized the guano potential of the island. The villagers transferred their labor force to [[guano]] mining camp that operated from 1907 until 1983. The camp was the location of the current village. Later, the villagers were employed as fishermen, usually of [[Sea cucumber as food|bêche-de-mer]], until it was declared protected.
In the mid 1960s, the island was proposed as an American military base, including a deep sea port. After strong protests from environmental organizations, this plan was rejected.
In 1990, the airfield was built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seychelles.travel/en/discover/the-islands/outer-islands/74-discover/the-islands/outer-islands/3005-assumption|title=Welcome to the Official Destination Website for the Seychelles Islands – Assumption|publisher=}}</ref>

==Geography==
Assumption Island is located about 27 km south of Anse Takamaka on [[Aldabra Atoll]] and is part of the [[Aldabra Group]].
It is a single coral island {{convert|11.6|km2|abbr=on}} in area. The western shore features an almost uninterrupted sandy beach 5.5 km. Two large [[sand dune]]s are prominent on the southeastern coast of the island, one of them {{convert|32|m}} high.<ref>This sand dune is much lower today, as it is being dredged for the airport expansion by India and construction of the new naval base</ref>
The 5.5 km, white, sandy beach that stretches on the southeastern side of the island has been several times named '''the best beach in the world''<nowiki/>' for its white sand, crystalline waters, diversity of marine life and lack of crowds.
Due to the disruptive effect of [[guano]] mining which lasted until 1983, the island is dominated by expanses of bare rock and caves, and is sparsely covered with low-growing vegetation.

==Administration==
The island belongs to the [[Outer Islands (Seychelles)|Outer Islands District]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081115125037/http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/downloads/pdf/electoral_districts.pdf District map]</ref>

==Transport==
The island is bisected by a {{convert|1210|m|ft}} [[Assumption Island Airport|concrete airfield]] {{airport codes||FSAS}} running between the two sand dunes on the southeast point to the village on the western coast. The island is occasionally serviced by an [[Island Conservation Society|Island Development Company (IDC)]] aircraft from [[Mahé, Seychelles|Mahé]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seychelles.org/outer-islands/aldabra-atoll-islands|title=Aldabra Atoll + Islands|date=19 February 2013|publisher=}}</ref> usually with scientists which have a boat take them to [[Aldabra Atoll]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sif.sc/index.php?langue=eng&rub=23|title=Seychelles Islands Foundation|publisher=}}</ref>
The island has a small port called ''St. Thomas Anchorage'', which is currently enlarged by the [[Indian Army]] to a large port.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120508084147/http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/SD/Pub171/Pub171bk.pdf Port info]</ref>

==Joint Military Facility==
{{Infobox airport
| name = Assumption Island Airport
| image =
| image2 =
| IATA =
| ICAO = FSAS
| type = Private
| owner = [[Seychelles]]
| operator = Islands Development Corporation (IDC)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idc.sc/ |title=Islands Development Corporation |access-date=2013-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712130532/http://www.idc.sc/ |archive-date=2013-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| location = Assumption Island, [[Seychelles]], [[Africa]]
| built = 1989–1990; Major extensions 2015–2016
| used = 1990–present
| elevation-m = 3
| coordinates = {{coord|9|44|32|S|46|30|24|E|type:airport|display=inline}}
| pushpin_map = Seychelles#Indian Ocean
| pushpin_mapsize = 230
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Assumption Island
| pushpin_label = Assumption Island Airstrip
| pushpin_mark = Airplane_silhouette.svg
| r1-number = 13/31
| r1-length-m = 1,210
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]]
}}
In 2015, [[Seychelles]] and [[India]] signed an agreement for constructing and operating joint military facility on the Island.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-begins-infrastructure-work-on-assumption-island-of-seychelles-115082601327_1.html|title=India begins infrastructure work on Assumption Island of Seychelles|work=Business Standard|agency=IANS|date=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bhattacherjee|first=Kallol|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/seychelles-committed-to-indian-naval-base/article8022404.ece|title='Seychelles committed to Indian naval base'|date=23 December 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21704804-india-china-and-japan-are-battling-influence-asias-scramble-africa|title=Asia's scramble for Africa|newspaper=The Economist|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/8696/Military+agreement+will+benefit+both+Seychelles+and+India,+high+commissioner+says|title=Military agreement will benefit both Seychelles and India, high commissioner says|last1=Laurence|first1=Daniel|editor-last=Bonnelame|editor-first=Betymie|agency=Seychelles News Agency|date=2018-02-16|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref> A coast surveillance radar system built by support from [[India]] became operational in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/4828/New%20coastal%20radar%20system%20means%20better%20safeguards%20for%20Seychelles,%20official%20says|title=New coastal radar system means better safeguards for Seychelles, official says|last1=Bonnelame|first1=Betymie|agency=Seychelles News Agency|date=2018-03-22|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248866 Article 03.2016]</ref> A revised agreement was signed in 2018 and the [[List of presidents of Seychelles|Seychelles President]] has endorsed its ratification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://southasiajournal.net/as-protests-continue-seychelles-president-endorses-assumption-island-deal-with-india/|title=As Protests Continue, Seychelles President Endorses Assumption Island Deal With India – South Asia Journal|website=southasiajournal.net|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref> The [[Government of India]] has also stated that this was a joint project on the request of the [[Politics of Seychelles|Seychelles government]] and would be jointly managed by both countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/assumption-island-project-in-seychelles-is-a-joint-project-mea/articleshow/63236127.cms|title=Assumption Island Project in Seychelles is a joint project: MEA|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref> [[India]] plans to invest $550 million in building the facility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/planned-indian-military-base-stirs-seychelles-controversy/|title=Planned Indian military base stirs Seychelles controversy|date=2018-03-03|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-03-12|language=en-US}}</ref> Recently, the deal for an Indian military base in [[Seychelles]] was declared as ‘''dead''’ by the Island's opposition party. The leader of the opposition also clearly stated that this was the end of the ‘''assumption agreement''’ and no further discussions on India's military base were on the agenda.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://eurasiantimes.com/indian-military-base-seychelles/ | title=Is China Against the Expansion of Indian Military Base in Seychelles? | date=22 March 2018 }}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
Assumption Island was once home to a great diversity of seabirds, including the [[Abbott's booby]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idc.sc/index.php/Assumption-Island/assumption-flora-fauna.html|title=Flora and Fauna – Assumption Island|first=IDC|last=Administrator|access-date=2016-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319104010/http://www.idc.sc/index.php/Assumption-Island/assumption-flora-fauna.html|archive-date=2016-03-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is now confined to a single breeding island: [[Christmas Island]], in the eastern Indian Ocean. Efforts are now underway by the [[Seychelles Islands Foundation]], in conjunction with [[Island Conservation Society]] and the Islands Development Company, to restore the habitat of the island. The first successful step in this process was the removal of invasive, introduced bird species, [[Madagascar fody]] and [[red-whiskered bulbul]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/2332/Eradication%20success%20%20Seychelles%20wins%20war%20against%20invasive%20red-whiskered%20bulbul|title=Eradication success – Seychelles wins war against invasive red-whiskered bulbul|publisher=}}</ref>
A notable feature of this island is the [[Assumption Island day gecko]], a [[subspecies]] of [[gecko]] found only on this island. An endemic race of [[souimanga sunbird]] once bred on the island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islandconservationseychelles.com/other-outer-islands.html|title=Other outer islands|publisher=|access-date=11 April 2016|archive-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624140604/http://www.islandconservationseychelles.com/other-outer-islands.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The nature [[documentary film|documentary]] of [[Jacques-Yves Cousteau]] and [[Louis Malle]], ''[[The Silent World]]'' was partially shot on Assumption.<ref>[http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/index.php/culture/2013-08-21-09-23-55/seychelles-archipelago-vii Island guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413222656/http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/index.php/culture/2013-08-21-09-23-55/seychelles-archipelago-vii |date=2016-04-13 }}</ref> The island is known for its rich fish life.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

==Image gallery==
<gallery widths="180">
File:Seychelles large map.jpg|Map 1
File:Outer Islands in Seychelles.svg|District Map
File:Assumption Island (rotated 45 degrees clockwise, cropped, corners filled).jpg| Assumption Island
File:Seychelles outer islands 25.08.2009 10-17-46.jpg|Assumption Island with its runway
File:Seychelles_outer_islands_25.08.2009_10-17-59.jpg|Assumption Island closer look
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Assumption Island}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120505111145/http://www.nbs.gov.sc/archives/551 National Bureau of Statistics]
* [https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/petitions/1129/tortoises-not-troops-keep-the-military-out-of-the-seychelles]
* [http://www.robertosozzani.it/Aldabra/cont.html Gallery of Aldabra and Assumption]

{{Seychelles Outer Islands|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Assumption, Seychelles}}
[[Category:Coral islands]]
[[Category:Islands of Outer Islands (Seychelles)]]
[[Category:Indian Naval Air Stations]]
[[Category:Indian Navy bases]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Indian Army bases]]

Assumption Island - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 18:29, 13 August 2023