Kiltan

Kiltan or Kilthān Island is a coral island belonging to the Amindivi Subgroup of islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. It is at a distance of 1,947 km (1,210 mi) south of the city of Delhi. The nearest mainland body is Cannanore and the nearest port is Mangalore.

Kiltan or Kilthan
KİLTON
Northern edge of Kiltan seen from a helicopter, showing also Kulikkara .
Kiltan or Kilthan
Etymology'Keel' means the east is in Jeseri language . 'Than' indicates locating or being. So the name coming from the location of the island lying easternmost of Amindivi subgroup.
Geography
LocationArabian Sea
Coordinates11.483°N 73.005°E / 11.483; 73.005
ArchipelagoLakshadweep
Adjacent bodies of waterLaccadive sea, Arabian sea and Indian Ocean
Total islands1
Major islands
  • Kiltan
Area1.78 km2 (0.69 sq mi)[1]
Area rank8th
Length3.4 km (2.11 mi)
Width0.6 km (0.37 mi)
Coastline8.1 km (5.03 mi)
Highest elevation2 m (7 ft)
Highest point44 metre(light house)
Administration
TerritoryUnion territory of Lakshadweep
DistrictLakshadweep
Island groupAminidivi
Tehsils of IndiaAminidivi
Subdivisions of IndiaKiltan
Largest settlementKacherippadiyar (pop. 1500)
Demographics
Population4041 (2011)
Population rank8
Pop. density2,270/km2 (5,880/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsKoyas, Melacheri and Malmi
Additional information
Time zone
PIN682558
Telephone code04898272
ISO codeIN-LD-08[2]
Official websitewww.lakshadweep.gov.in
Literacy91.4%
Avg. summer temperature32.0 °C (89.6 °F)
Avg. winter temperature28.0 °C (82.4 °F)
Sex ratio1.041 ♂/♀

History

Kiltan is settled during early periods of common immigration to the Lakshadweep islands. The island was part of an international trade route between the Persian Gulf and Ceylon.[3]

Kiltan is the home of the Sufi saint Shaikh Ahmed Naqshabanthi .

Kiltan jetty

Geography

Kiltan is one of the populated islands of Lakshadweep. It is located 51 km to the northeast of Amini Island and 32 km to the southeast of Chetlat Island, between 11° 28′ and 11° 30′ N latitude and 72° 59′ and 73° 01′ E longitude, and has an area of 2.20 km2.. The reef and lagoon (total area of 3.76 km2 (1.45 sq mi)) are located to the west of the island and the dry land has 3.4 km length and 0.6 km width at the broadest point.[4] . On the northern and southern ends of the island, there are high storm beaches. This island is 394 km (213 nautical miles) away from Kochi. Its lagoon area is 1.76 km2.

Kiltan island also has crossed by 73rd meridian east through its landmark known as Kulikkara is a tomb of a Lady venerated by natives.

Economics

Traditionally the basic earning method was fishing and coconut production. Now the island people have moved to several directions, including Government jobs (education, police, communication, transportation, business and IT ). also private job opportunities such as construction (buildings, road), plumbing, electrifying etc.

Kiltan island seen from southern extreme point of reef also here is a small channel named Mooni

Demographics

The population in Kiltan was 3945 as per census 2011. Most people from Kiltan, as in Amini and Kadmat, belonged to the Koya, Mali and Melacheri families.[5] The language spoken is Jeseri, a mixture of Malayalam and Tamil influenced by Arabic as in other islands. But the peoples don't use its script because its writing was stopped too earlier period. Kiltan has rich folk cultures and warm hospitality to its tradition. The Island has a 41-metre lighthouse and an average Heliport t used by Administration for Emergency medical services.

An evening from Cocafulluckyar Kiltan Island

In the past, Kiltan was nicknamed as Cheriyaponnani meaning Little Ponnani because of the Islanders acquired knowledge from here during the pre-colonial periods in relative that the Ponnani was known for centre of Islamic Religious knowledge in Southern India.

Administration

The island has a Sub Divisional Officer appointing by administration from Kavaratti the Union capital of Lakshadweep commanding as executive and judicial head of islands. The Police station of Kiltan have dozens of constables and marines under a sub-inspector. Also there have a base camp for IRBN (India Reserve Bettalion) for duties such as safeguarding of Treasury and use as additional force with police in case of an emergency.

  • 20150107 Kiltan seen from south
  • Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy
  • Map
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References
  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. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act - Kiltan
  4. Hydrographic Description (Indian Ocean Pilot)
  5. R. H. Ellis, A short account of the Laccadive Islands and Minicoy, AES reprint 1992
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