Lakshadweep is on a development expansion as the archipelago is all set to welcome good star-classified hotels, resorts, airstrips, and airports among other infra projects. However, all these initiatives have been in tandem with the sustainable tourism model.

Recently, the Union Ministry of Tourism mentioned that it will adopt a sustainable tourism development model to showcase Lakshadweep and preserve the ecology of its 36 islands.

Besides promoting domestic islands, less popular spots in India are being identified to develop tourism and smaller promotional programs put in place, Director of Ministry of Tourism, Bengaluru office, Mohamed Farouk, said to PTI.

Recently, Lakshadweep’s administrator Praful Patel mentioned that several initiatives are being taken to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, including the construction of additional rooms and plans afoot for a big airport, with the archipelago being discussed across the world. 

Development with sustainability 

Various islands have been identified which would be developed as tourist destination spots in Lakshadweep but Farouk mentioned that the aim would be to adopt a sustainable tourism development model since it is a “very eco-sensitive destination.” 

“Lakshadweep has many islands and we have selected a few right now like Minicoy, Suheli Par, Agatti, and also Bangaram, ” he added.

“Lakshadweep is a very eco-sensitive destination, it is ecologically fragile and we have to ensure that when we do tourism, it should be sustainable. So, we are looking at a sustainable tourism development model where Lakshadweep’s unique features, the fragile eco-sensitive ecosystem will be maintained,” he further mentioned.

Airport expansion plan 

To bolster the connectivity to Lakshadweep, Spice Jet, and  Fly19 recently got the necessary clearances for flight operations to Lakshadweep’s Agatti Island, PTI reported

A team from Indigo Airlines also met with the island administration earlier this month, expressing their interest in starting flights to the island. As per administration sources, Fly19 will commence its operations by the end of this month, PTI said in a report. 

Two greenfield airports will be developed at Minicoy and Agatti Island, which is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep and lies next to the Maldives.

(With PTI inputs)