Data Web on Island Environment and Protection (DWIEP)

Coastal and Oceanic Island Database of India

Cheriyakara Island/ Suheli Par Island

Geography
Island code

INLK029


Name of the island

Cheriyakara Island/ Suheli Par Island


Island note
Lakshadweep Island consists of 32 coral islands, located in the Arabian Sea. Atoll, lagoon and reefs are the three main geographical features. Island is located near the southwest of Pitti Island

Type of island

Oceanic / Coral Island


State / UT

Lakshadweep (UT)


Location

Arabian Sea (Cheriyakara island located near the Agatti Island in Lakshadweep, Arabian Sea)


Geographical coordinates

10°2'38.68"N
72°17'10.23"


Area

0.31 sq.km


Area range

Less than 2 sq.km


Climate
Cheriyakara island located near the Agatti Island in Lakshadweep, Arabian Sea The climate of Agatti is categorised as 'Aw' i.e., tropical savannah according to the Köppen-Geiger system of climate classification. The annual average temperature is 27.9°C, May being the warmest month at 29.6°C and August, the coldest at 27.2°C. The annual precipitation is 1575 mm. The highest precipitation of 394 mm seen in June. (Source: climate-data.org)

Terrain

-


Elevation / Altitude

Around 1 to 1.5 m (Data from Google earth)


Soil type

The major soil types in Lakshadweep are coral sand derived from coral limestone. The islands of Lakshadweep have a soil layer overlying coral limestone. The island soil includes coral sands and lagoonal sands. These soils are highly permeable and allow rainfall to readily infiltrate, with the result that surface run-off does not occur except in local areas of compacted soils. (Source: CGWB Report, 2009)


Fresh water sources

The average rainfall of Lakshadweep is 1640 mm. Though the islands receive high rainfall, storage of freshwater is difficult due to high permeability nature of coral sand. Net annual ground water availability: 349.86 ha.m Annual Ground Water Draft: 258.79 ha.m (Source: CGWB Report, 2011)


Hydrology

Lakshadweep Islands are coral island and general enclose a lagoon. The hard coral limestones exposed all along the beach during low tides and in well sections. Along with hard pebbles and coral sand generally seen.

Demography
Habitation

Uninhabited


Population

Nil


Language

Not applicable


Religion

Not applicable


Ethnic groups

Not applicable


Traditional knowledge

No information available

Shoreline Characteristics
Coastline / Shoreline

4.51 km (Data from Google earth)


Tidal amplitude

1.47 m


Bathymetry

Lagoon side 1 to 10 m depth; Open sea side 20 to more than 125 m.

Infrastructure and Communication
Infrastructure

Light house and solar energy


Communication

Telephone system - mobile; Broadcast media - radio

Transportation
Transport

The Lakshadweep capital is Kavaratti Island. Lakshadweep administration provides the inter-island boat service facility for both local people and tourists. The island can be reached by boat from Kavaratti jetty.


Nearest Port / Jetty / Harbour

Cochin port or Kochi port, Kerala


Distance to nearest Port / Jetty / Harbour

276 km from Kochi port 68.00 km from Kavaratti jetty


Shortest distance from mainland

275 km from Kochi, Kerala


Nearest Airport

Air and water are the two modes of transport to reach Lakshadweep from Kochi. Kerala is the gateway of Lakshadweep. The inter-islands can be reach by boat and helicopter. 90 km from Cheriyakara Island to Agatti Airport, Lakshadweep. 468 km from Agatti Airport to Cochin International Airport, Kerala.

Activities
Agriculture

Coconut farms


Commercial activity

No information available


Industries

No

Tourism
Tourist places

No information available


Tourism activity

No information available

Biodiversity and Conservation
Flora

Seagrass and seaweed


Fauna

Coral and reef associates


Medicinal plants

No information available


Type of forest

-


Endangered species

Coconut plantation


Flagship species

-


Keystone species

-


Conservation status
(Protected / Unprotected with ESA /
Unprotected without ESA)
Unprotected with ESAs

Sanctuary

Coral reef, seagrass, seaweed


Ecological Sensitive Areas (ESAs)

No


Hazards
Natural hazards

Cyclone and coastal erosion


Seismic sensitivity

As per the Seismic Zone Map of India, this region assigned under the Moderate Damage Risk Zone III (MSK VII) (Source: NDMA, 2019)


High Flood Line (HFL) / Tsunami
The Island comes under the Moderate Damage Risk Zone B (Vb=39m/s) for Wind Hazard Map of India (Source: NDMA, 2019). As per the Flood Hazard Map of India, this region comes under a probable maximum surge height of 3 to 4 m (Source: NDMA, 2016).
Environmental Issues
Environment-current issues

Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and freshwater contamination