Cherbaniani Reef

Cherbaniani Reef, also known as Beleapani Reef (Malayalam: Valiyapanniyam), is a coral atoll[3] belonging to the Amindivi Subgroup of islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. It has a distance of 1,880 km (1,170 mi) south of the city of Delhi.

Cherbaniani Atoll
Native name:
Malayalam: വലിയപാണി

Nickname: ബലിയഫന്ന്യം
Cherbaniani Atoll
Location of Cherbaniani Atoll in Lakshadweep
Geography
LocationArabian Sea
Coordinates12°18′N 71°53′E
TypeAtoll
ArchipelagoLakshadweep
Adjacent bodies of waterIndian Ocean
Total islands3
Major islands
  • North
  • South
  • Middle
Area0.015 km2 (0.0058 sq mi)[1]
Highest elevation2 m (7 ft)
Administration
TerritoryUnion territory of Lakshadweep
DistrictLakshadweep
Island groupAminidivi
Tehsils of IndiaAminidivi
Subdivisions of IndiaBitra
Demographics
Population0 (2014)
Pop. density0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsMalayali, Mahls
Additional information
Time zone
ISO codeIN-LD-01[2]
Official websitewww.lakshadweep.gov.in
Avg. summer temperature32.0 °C (89.6 °F)
Avg. winter temperature28.0 °C (82.4 °F)

Geography

Cherbaniani Reef is located 33 km north of Byramgore Reef and at 12°18′N 71°53′E it is the northwesternmost feature of Lakshadweep. The atoll has a roughly oval shape and was first described by ornithologist Allan Hume in 1876;[4] its total lagoon area is 57.46 km2 (22.19 sq mi).[5][6] The 14 km long coral reef that encloses the lagoon has three small uninhabited islands on it.

Ecology

They are composed of accumulated coral sand, shingle, cuttle-bones and sea shells. There are many land hermit crabs under the boulders and among the detritus.[7] The atoll used to be a breeding ground for pelagic birds, including the sooty tern (Sterna fuliginosa) and brown noddy (Anous stolidus), which were formerly found in great numbers.[8]

Demographics

North Islet has a small mosque built and maintained by local fishermen from Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan and Agatti islands. The fishermen came here and camp for fishing in a seasonal manner during the period between both monsoons.

Economics

Lakshadweep islanders from Chetlat and Bitra sometimes visit the islands to collect guano for the gardens of the inhabited islands, gathering eggs, dumping garbage and disturbing the nestlings of pelagic birds in the process. The beaches are strewn with marine litter composed mainly of oceanic flotsam deposited by currents, such as plastic bottles, glass bulbs, polystyrene foam and cans.[9]

Administration

The Atoll belongs to the township of Bitra of Aminidivi Tehsil.[10]

  • Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy
  • Map

References
  1. "Islandwise Area and Population - 2001 Census" (PDF). Government of Lakshadweep. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code
  3. Cherbaniani Reef, India
  4. Hume, Allan O., The Laccadives and the West Coast, Stray Feathers. (Calcutta), IV (1876), 413-83. 21.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. Mistakenly switched here between Byramgore and Cherbaniani.
  7. W.A. Taylor, FRSE, Geographical Notes, Scottish Geographical Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 11, 1892
  8. Birds of Lakshadweep Islands Archived 12 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. P.S.B.R. James, The Lakshadweep: Islands of Ecological Fragility, Environmental Sensitivity and Anthropogenic Vulnerability, Journal of Coastal Environment
  10. "Tehsils info" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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