Planform Island change assessment for inhabited Lakshadweep Islands

Impacts of coastal processes and anthropogenic activities threaten the archipelago of low-lying reef islands. In this study, long-term (1972–2015) and short-term (2000–2015) shoreline change analyses of ten inhabited Lakshadweep Islands were done using linear regression rates. Of significance, the results highlight that all ten islands are erosional in the long term, with Androth Island being the highest erosional in both the periods, but it shows a stable platform in the short-term periods. More than 50% of the islands indicate shrinkage in planform change in both ocean and lagoon sides of the islands. Construction of artificial structures (seawalls/tetrapods) along the shoreline has helped to reduce the erosion in some localised areas. However, adverse effect of these armoured structures has caused loss of beaches, valuable coastal resources and marine habitats. Although natural reefs protect the lagoon side of island, it is clear that widespread erosion is along both the sides due to anthropogenic activities that are susceptible to the sea-level rise.