Meemobaidullah at 07:49, 19 March 2026

2026-03-19T07:49:42Z

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{{Short description|Coral island of the Lakshadweep archipelago in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
[[File:Map of Lakshadweep-en.svg|thumb|right|300px|Kadmat Island, situated to the bottom right of the Aminidivi Islands label]]

'''Kadmat Island''', also known as '''Cardamom Island''', is a coral island belonging to the [[Amindivi]] subgroup of islands of the [[Lakshadweep]] [[archipelago]] in [[India]]. Measuring {{convert|9.3|km}} in length, the island has a [[lagoon]] with a width of {{Convert|1.5| km}} covering an area of {{convert|25|km2}}. The ecological feature of the island is the [[coral reef]] with [[seagrass]], and [[Sea turtle|marine turtles]] which nestle here. The [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)]] has notified the island as a [[marine protected area]] for ensuring conservation of the island's animal, plant, or other organisms and resources.

The only inhabited village on the island is Kadmat, which had a population of 5,389 according to 2011 census. Fishing is the main economic activity on the island, and agriculture is limited to 5% of the land area. Tourism is legal and the attractions are [[kayaking]], [[snorkeling]] and leisure trips by a glass-bottomed boat for [[scuba diving]].

==Geography and climate==
[[File:A beach side resort at Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep.jpg|thumb|300px|The beach side resort at Kadmat Island]]
Kadmat Island, which belongs to the [[Subdivisions of India|township]] of Kadmat Island of [[Aminidivi]] [[Tehsils of India|Tehsil]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://lakshadweep.gov.in/Area-Population.PDF |title=Tehsils info |access-date=18 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163348/http://lakshadweep.gov.in/Area-Population.PDF |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is the central most island of the [[Lakshadweep]] [[archipelago]]. It is in the shape of a tear drop, with {{Convert|3.5|km2}} area and is located on a coral reef. With a length of {{Convert|9.3|km}}{{efn|Various sources differ in their reporting of the length. A number of sources claim 8 km,{{sfn|Athawale|1991|p=69}} while the Geological Survey of Indian states {{Convert|9.25|km}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Records of the Geological Survey of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RuTaAAAAMAAJ|year=1998|publisher=The Survey|page=218}}</ref>}} from north to south and a maximum width of {{Convert|0.57| km}}<ref name=wide>{{Cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/ISLAND_web/KADMAT/more.html|title=Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep|access-date=6 July 2016|publisher=Government of Lakshadweep}}</ref> and it is the longest island in the Amindivi group.{{Sfn|Prakash|Nair|Hameed|2014|p=48}}
Its southern end is the narrowest with a width of about {{Convert|10|m}}. The island's topography is about {{Convert|2.0|to|3 |m}} on the eastern side and {{Convert|2.0|to|4|m}} on the western part above the mean sea level. Its surface formation consists of [[coral]] [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]] overlying broken pieces of coral and coral sand.<ref name=Dots>{{Cite web|title=Kadmat|url=http://oceandots.com/indian/lakshadweep/kadmat.php|publisher=Ocean Dots: The Island Encyclopaedia|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928072721/http://oceandots.com/indian/lakshadweep/kadmat.php |archive-date=28 September 2010}}</ref>

The [[lagoon]] on the western side of the island{{Sfn|Green|Short|2003|p=106}} extends over a maximum width of {{Convert|2|km}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/ISLAND_web/KADMAT/location.html|title=Kadmat Iland: Ar a glance|access-date=6 July 2016|publisher=Government of Lakshadweep}}</ref> covering an area of {{convert|37|km2}}<ref name=Dots/> and the water depth is shallow about {{Convert|2|to|3| m}}.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=10}}<ref name="cite"/> It has a shore line and has a sandy beach. The reef width is about {{Convert|50| m}}. The tidal range lies between {{Convert|0.6|to|1.6|m}}.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=10}}<ref name="cite">{{cite web|url=http://www.icmam.gov.in/KAD.PDF|title=Critical Habitat Information System of Kadmat Island|publisher=[[Government of India]], Department of Ocean Development|access-date=2009-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725074939/http://www.icmam.gov.in/KAD.PDF|archive-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=9}}<ref name=Dots/> The beach on the eastern side of the island has a width of {{Convert|100|m}}. At the breaking zone of this beach there is a {{Convert|100|m}} wide coral algae ridge.{{Sfn|Green|Short|2003|p=106}}

Kadmat Island is bounded by [[Kavaratti Island]] to its northwest at a distance of {{Convert|67| km}}. It is {{Convert|32| km}} away from [[Kiltan Island]]. [[Amini Island]], which marks the northwestern part of the [[Pitti Bank]] formation, is {{Convert|5|km}} to the southwest.<ref name=Dots/> [[Kannur]] is {{Convert|292|km}} away, [[Kozhikode]] is {{Convert|327|km}} away and [[Kochi]] is {{Convert|407|km}} away.<ref name=Info>{{Cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/island_web/KADMAT/ataglance.html|title=Kadmat - At a Glance|publisher=National Informatics Center}}</ref>

There is an airport on nearby [[Agatti Island]], in which flights operate from [[Cochin]]. From Agatti, it is a two and half hours boat ride to Kadmat. Ferry services also operate from Cochin on the coast of [[Kerala]] but involves a journey of 16 hours.<ref name=Quiet/>

==Climate and the environment==
[[File:Waiting for the good season.jpg|thumb|left|Boats on the beach of Kadmat]]
The island experiences an average annual temperature in the range of {{Convert|24.2|-| 34.4|C}}. Rainfall occurs during the monsoon season from May to September with an average annual rainfall incidence of {{Convert|1237|mm}} as per records of the nearby island of Amini.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=4}} The maximum rainfall recorded in a day is {{Convert|241.8|mm}}. Humidity averages at 72.5%.<ref name=Info/>

Ecologically, the island is composed of coral reef with [[seagrass]], and [[Sea turtle|marine turtles]] which nestle here. Keeping this aspect in view, the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)]] has notified the island as a marine protected area to enable conservation of the island's animal, plant, or other type of organism, and other resources.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=4–5}} The coral reefs are damaged to the extent of 10% (assessed by [[IUCN]] in 1976) due to anthropocentric pressure and also due to [[climate change]]. Dredging operation at the entry to the island is causing damage to coral species as the dredged material is dumped into the lagoon. Coral blocks found in the beaches and the coral flats are extracted for building activity on the island. This could cause serious geo-morphological changes of the island in the form of sea erosion of the shores and the beach. Coral bleaching, a natural phenomenon attributed to strong [[El Niño]]s, which occurred during 1998 due to seawater warming, is reported to have reduced the number of coral species from 45 to 9.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=23–25}}

==Demographics==
{{pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Kadmat Island (2011)<ref name="Kadmat Population">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/lakshadweep/lakshadweep/kadmat-population.html|title=Kadmat Island population|work=Census India 2011|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 97.65
|color1 = Green
|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
|value2 = 1.92
|color2 = DarkOrange
|label3 = [[Christianity]]
|value3 = 0.24
|color3 = Blue
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.15
|color4 = Grey
|label5 = Not Stated
|value5 = 0.04
|color5 = Black
}}

The island is inhabited mainly by individuals of the Melacceri caste.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Eastern Anthropologist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uf-AAAAAIAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society|page=287}}</ref>
Kadmat village is the only inhabited village on the island.<ref name=Quiet>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/lakshadweep-all-quiet-on-indias-secret-islands-6297527.html|title=Lakshadweep: All quiet on India's secret islands|date=9 August 2015|work=The Independent}}</ref> According to the 2011 census the island had a population of 5,389 consisting of 2,676 males and 2,713 females.<ref name="cit">{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf |title=Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census |publisher=Government of Lakshadweep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722061135/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf |archive-date=2016-07-22 }}</ref> Population density is 1,727 per km<sup>2</sup>. Decennial Growth Rate recorded for the period 2001–2011 was 1.03 percent.<ref name="cit"/> In 2001, the literacy rate was 87.88 percent of which male literacy rate was 91.78 and female literacy was 92.53; in both cases much higher than of the Lakshadweep island.<ref name=People>{{cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/documents/Chapter%20V/Amini/Kadamat%20-2.pdf|title=Kadmat Island|access-date=6 July 2016|publisher=Government of LakshadweEp|page=247}}</ref> [[Jasari language|Jasari/Jazary]] is the dominant language of the people of the island and the literacy rate is as high as 90.4%.<ref name=Info/>

The island has a network of roads, several ponds and wells, primary and higher secondary schools, electricity, telephone, health centres and so forth.<ref name=People/>

In 1960, a hoard of coins were unearthed and examined, revealing that the island has been inhabited since at least 200 AD. Kadmat island is known to have [[Trade route#Historic trade routes|traded]] with the Romans, as in 1948 a girl found a Roman coin in a quarry on the island.{{sfn|Mukerji|1992|p=40}}

==Economy==
[[File:Drying the Octopus.jpg|thumb|Drying octopus on Kadmat]]

Fishing is the principal activity of the people of the island. Fishing is done both off shore in the sea and during the monsoon season in the lagoon and reef area. Trawl nets and pole line are used for oceanic [[tuna]] fishing. Wooden boats are used for local fishing in the lagoon. Fish species reported include [[carangids]], [[cephalopods]], [[perches]], [[rainbow sardine]], [[ray (fish)|ray]]s, [[sail fishes]], [[sharks]], [[skipjack tuna]], and [[tuna]].{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=20–21}}
Agriculture is practised, with about 5% of the land area brought under cultivation. Coconut plantations are common along with associated coir twinning. Crops grown include red grass, groundnut, maize, sweet potato, grains, cereals, millets, papaya, and banana.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=10, 23}}

Tourism has taken off on the island, though it only has one beach resort for 50 guests. There are [[kayaking]] and [[snorkeling]] facilities, and leisure trips by a glass-bottomed boat for [[scuba diving]].<ref name=Quiet/> In 1998 the first Water Sports Institute was established on Kadmat, along with the Laccadives Diving Centre.{{sfn|Carlsen|Butler|2011|p=61}}

==Wildlife==
The island has three types of habitats: coral reef, seagrass and nesting ground for marine turtles.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=4}} Zoning of the coral reef is mapped under three zones of [[reef flat]], reef slope and lagoon. Next to the shore line are the [[fringing reef]]s where fish species of [[fin]] and [[shell fish]]es [[spawn (biology)|spawn]], and are found in abundance. As of 1986, there were 45 coral species in the reef. These are threatened due to human interference and natural causes.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=4–5}} Live coral is reported in less than 1% area. There are 9 species of live corals in the lagoon and reef slope area. The species of live corals reported are: ''[[Acropora formosa]]'' (staghorn coral), ''[[Acropora robusta]]'', ''[[Acropora]]'', ''[[Acropora subglabra]]'', ''Acropora tortuosa'', ''[[Acropora vaughani]]'', ''[[Favites]]'', ''[[Pocillopora verrucosa]]'' and ''[[Lobophytum]]''{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=12}} Benthic organisms are reported on the reef slope and lagoon area. Macrobenthos are found in the inter-tidal and sub-tidal area. 23 species of [[polychaete]]s, 3 species of [[bivalves]], 3 species of [[crustaceans]], and 3 species of [[gastropods]] have been recorded.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=17}}

The seagrass beds, which forms an area of around {{Convert|13.8|km2}} across the island,{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=13}} provide crucial food for [[turtles]] and [[dugongs]], with four species of marine turtles reported: ''[[Chelonia mydas]]'' (green sea turtle), ''[[Dermochelys coriacea]]'' (leatherback sea turtle), and ''[[Eretmochelys imbricata]]'' (Hawksbill sea turtle) and ''[[Lepidochelys olivacea]]'' (Olive Ridley sea turtle).{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=5–6}} There are 7 species of seagrass reported here, out of 14 found in the Lakshadweep Islands, including the ''[[Thalassia hemprichii]]'' and ''[[Cymodocea rotundata]]''.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|pp=5–6}} [[Seaweeds]] recorded consist of 34 species, out of which 14 species are of [[Rhodophyceae]], 13 (red algae) are [[Chlorophyceae]] (green algae) and 7 species are [[Phaeophyceae]] (brown algae).{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=18}} 20 species of [[Phytoplankton]] and 19 groups of [[Zooplankton]] have been recorded in the reef slope and lagoon area;{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=13–14}} 33 species of benthic organisms have also been noted in the same vicinity.{{Sfn| Sri |2001|p=17}}

== Kadmat Beach ==
[[Kadmat Beach]] is one of the prominent features of Kadmat Island. The beach is known for its clear waters and rich marine life, making it a popular destination for water sports like [[Snorkeling]] and [[Scuba diving]]. Kadmat Beach has also been awarded the prestigious [[Blue Flag beach]] certification for its commitment to environmental sustainability and safety standards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Explained: What is Blue Flag all about? Lakshadweep's Minicoy, Thundi and Kadmat beaches that won the coveted award |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/trending/news-explained-what-is-blue-flag-all-about-lakshadweeps-minicoy-thundi-and-kadmat-beaches-that-won-the-coveted-award-205042 |access-date=2023-09-02 |publisher=Zee Business}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Portal|India|Islands}}
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Athawale|first=Sanhita|title=India's Indian Ocean islands: a study in India's Indian Ocean islands, their geographic, demographic, political, and strategic importance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1w1uAAAAMAAJ|year=1991|publisher=ABC Pub. House|isbn=978-81-7123-051-8}}
*{{cite book|last1=Carlsen|first1=Jack|last2=Butler|first2=Richard|title=Island Tourism: Towards a Sustainable Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gFwXPNKDo2sC&pg=PA61|year=2011|publisher=CABI|isbn=978-1-84593-699-0}}
*{{Cite web|last=Sri|first=Rajaguru|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266851385|title=Critical Habitat Information System (CHIS) on Kadmat Island – Lakshadweep|year=2001|access-date=29 June 2016|publisher=Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University}}
*{{cite book|last1= Green|first1=Edmund Peter|last2=Short|first2=Frederick T. |title=World Atlas of Seagrasses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHV0NA3m2AIC&pg=PA106|year=2003|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-24047-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Sarit Kumar|title=Islands of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myhGAQAAIAAJ|year=1992|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}
*{{cite book|last1=Prakash|first1=T.N.|last2=Nair|first2=L. Sheela|last3=Hameed|first3=T.S. Shahul|title=Geomorphology and Physical Oceanography of the Lakshadweep Coral Islands in the Indian Ocean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44dxBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|date=17 November 2014|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-12367-7}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kadmat}}
{{Wikivoyage|Lakshadweep}}

*[http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub173/173sec05.pdf Hydrographic Description (Indian Ocean Pilot)]
*[http://www.india9.com Lagoon sizes]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120501004901/http://www.mapsofindia.com/lakshadweep/tourism/kadmat-island.html Kadmat - Geographical information]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/indian/lakshadweep/kadmat.php |date=23 December 2010 |title=Kadmat - Oceandots }}
*[http://si-pddr.si.edu/jspui/bitstream/10088/4897/1/00019.pdf List of Atolls] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813041233/http://si-pddr.si.edu/jspui/bitstream/10088/4897/1/00019.pdf |date=13 August 2012 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130617052832/http://www.indianbirds.in/pdfs/An%20ornithological%20expedition.pdf An ornithological expedition to the Lakshadweep archipelago]
*[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856407908722989 Sources towards a history of the Laccadive Islands]
*[http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5627E/x5627e0j.htm FAO - An analysis of the carrying Capacity of Lakshadweep Coral Reefs]
{{Lakshadweep}}
{{Malabar}}
{{Recreational dive sites|reereg}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|11.223|N|72.776|E|region:IN-LD_type:isle_dim:50000_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kadmat Island}}
[[Category:Islands of Lakshadweep]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Lakshadweep district]]
[[Category:Atolls of India]]
[[Category:Islands of India]]
[[Category:Populated places in India]]

Kadmat Island - Revision history

Meemobaidullah at 07:49, 19 March 2026