Earlier this month, the Government of Gujarat flagged off a study of 55 islands in the state, under the New Island Development Authority. The first step is a survey of development potential of the islands, out of which eight are inhabited. The framework includes the famous historic island of Dwarka.
There will be a preliminary mapping of the Gujarat islands that will assess and assimilate data on their current status. Some of the major parametres are demography, vegetation, natural resources, topographic conditions, and development potentials in tourism, commerce, residential, marine fields.
India’s two archipelagos – Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands – as well as Singapore will also be referred as case studies.