Bitra Island

The Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command recently said the Navy is setting up a detachment in Bitra Island, which "is more or less completed".

About Bitra Island

It is located in the northern region of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.

It is the smallest inhabited island in the territory

It has a land area of 0.105 sq.km

It has a length of 0.57 km and a width of 0.28 km at the broadest point

Though the land area is small, its lagoon area is 45.61 sq.km.

There is a small shrine of Malik Mulla, an old Arab saint who is said to have been buried here. The shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the people of other islands.

As per the 2011 census, the population of Bitra Island is 271.

Climate:

The climate of Bitra is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year.

The temperature ranges from 25°C to 35°C, and humidity ranges from 70 to 76 percent for most of the year.

It used to be covered by thick shrubs and was the breeding ground for seabirds. In the early 19th century the birds left the place due to human interference.

It is strategically important to India, as it lies in a key position in the Arabian Sea.

Bitra would become the third island in the archipelago with a defence establishment – two Indian naval bases in the archipelago are INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, the capital of the UT, and INS Jatayin Minicoy