Lakshadweep administration issues tenders for building 370 villas on three islands despite criticism

The Lakshadweep administration on Saturday issued fresh tenders for the construction of 370 villas to boost tourism in the ecologically-fragile Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli islands, despite opposition from scientists.

The public-private partnership project, proposed by government’s think-tank NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to build Maldives-like beach and water villas on the islands. The initial investment for the project is Rs 266 crore, and additional investment amounts to Rs 788 crore, The Hindu reported. Developers will be granted 75 years to raise funds and complete the tourism project.

In January 2020, 114 scientists from over 30 universities had flagged the dangers posed by the project to the islands’ lagoons and beaches. They urged the Lakshadweep administration to rethink their decision, wildlife biologist-turned-journalist Aathira Perinchery wrote in an article for The Hindu.

In June this year, 60 scientists and researchers had also urged President Ram Nath Kovind to withdraw the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021, which empowers the administration to acquire any piece for development.

“It [the draft LDAR] will severely threaten the future survival of these beautiful atolls and its inhabitants,” the signatories said in a petition, according to Carbon Copy, a news website tracking developments in the climate and energy sector. “All these inshore reefs and underwater grasslands may be in deep peril if an…

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