Lakshadweep, Its Corals and Indigenous People: Surviving a Changing Climate

Off the southwestern coast of India, the Lakshadweep archipelago faces an unprecedented crossroads. Home to India’s only coral atolls, which makes it a vital ecological hotspot, it treads the precarious balance between development and ecology, even as its Indigenous population faces threats to its way of life.

After nearly 18 months of temperature extremes, about 75% of the region’s hard coral species have suffered severe bleaching, much of it due to a prolonged marine heatwave since October 2023. The islands also face rising sea levels, which further endanger their fragile ecosystems.

Amid these climate-driven challenges, Lakshadweep is experiencing a surge in tourism, driven partly by India’s diplomatic row with the Maldives. The Indian government has outlined plans to expand infrastructure, including airport upgrades, which could exacerbate the strain on the islands’ already fragile ecology.

These threats on the population—over 93% of Lakshadweep’s nearly 70,000 residents are Indigenous Muslims reliant on traditional fishing methods—are now forcing the people to adapt.

Hindustan Times journalists Jayashree Nandi and Tannu Jain investigate how Lakshadweep's Indigenous population is adapting to new realities, the government’s plans for development, and the implications of coral loss for marine biodiversity. Nandi and Jain's series aims to portray Lakshadweep, its people, and its environment rather than the media favorite images of an idyllic tourist attraction. By combining ground reporting, expert analysis, and data-driven insights, this project seeks to shed light on the urgent need for climate action and eco-sensitive development.