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Bitra

Coordinates: 11°33′N 72°09′E / 11.550°N 72.150°E / 11.550; 72.150
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Bitra Par)

Bitra
Bitra is located in India
Bitra
Bitra
Location of Bitra in Lakshadweep
Geography
LocationArabian Sea
Coordinates11°33′N 72°09′E / 11.550°N 72.150°E / 11.550; 72.150
Typecoral atoll
ArchipelagoLakshadweep
Adjacent toIndian Ocean
Total islands2
Major islands
  • Bitra
  • South Cay
Area0.187 km2 (0.072 sq mi)[1]
Highest elevation2 m (7 ft)
Administration
TerritoryUnion territory of Lakshadweep
DistrictLakshadweep
Island groupAminidivi
Tehsils of IndiaAminidivi
Subdivisions of IndiaBitra
Demographics
Population278 (2016)
Pop. density1,570/km2 (4070/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsMalayali, Mahls
Additional information
Time zone
PIN682555
Telephone code04890
ISO codeIN-LD-07[2]
Official websitelakshadweep.nic.in/island_web/Bitra/index.htm
Literacy84.4%
Avg. summer temperature32.0 °C (89.6 °F)
Avg. winter temperature28.0 °C (82.4 °F)
Sex ratio57%/

Bitra, also known as Bitrā Par, is a coral atoll belonging to the Amindivi Subgroup of islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India.[3] It is 483 km (300 mi) west of the city of Kochi.

History

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Prior to the 20th century, islanders from Kiltan and Chetlat visited the island to collect the eggs of pelagic birds breeding there. Until 1945, when a woman from Chetlat made this island her home, there were no attempts to settle this island permanently.[4] There is a small shrine dedicated to an old Arab saint by the name of Malik Mulla who was buried on the island. The shrine has become a pilgrimage site.[5]

Geography

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The atoll of Bitra encompasses two islands. The main Bitra Island 0.177 km2 (0.068 sq mi) is located at the northern end of the Bitrā Par coral reef 11°35′53″N 72°11′13″E / 11.598°N 72.187°E / 11.598; 72.187.[6] The small south cay 0.009 km2 (0.0035 sq mi)is located on the southern part of the coral reef 11°31′26″N 72°10′34″E / 11.524°N 72.176°E / 11.524; 72.176. Bitra is the smallest of the populated islands of Lakshadweep. It is located 33 km to the north of Perumal Par and 41 km to the southeast of Byramgore Reef.[7] The Bitra Par lagoon area is 54.61 km2 (21.09 sq mi).

Population

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The 2011 census determined that 271 people made this island their home, making it the least populated among the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep.[8]

Administration

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The atoll belongs to the township of Bitra of Aminidivi Tehsil.[9]

Transportation

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The main island has a small jetty on the south shore and a helipad on the westpoint.

Economics

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The inhabitants on the island are engaged in very small scale farming and fishing which are mainly for the island's consumption.

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References

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  1. ^ "Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census" (PDF). Government of Lakshadweep. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2016.
  2. ^ Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code
  3. ^ Hydrographic Description (Indian Ocean Pilot)
  4. ^ "Bitra Island, Lakshadweep". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  5. ^ "MGNREGS - Bitra Island" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Oceandots - Bitrā Par". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ Birds of Lakshadweep Islands
  8. ^ "Lakshadweep - Five Year Plan". Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  9. ^ Tehsils info
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