Geography: Other Islands
Diu Island
Diu is an off – shore island on the western coast, off the Gulf of Cambay, bordering Junagarh district. It is separated from the Gujarat Coast by a tidal creek. The coast has limestone cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches, the best of which are at Nagoa. A massive fort built by the Portuguese dominates the skyline. Nagoa beach is the most famous in Diu. Another beautiful beach is Ghoghla beach. The Diu fort was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD after the defence alliance concluded between the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese. The fort commands a magnificent view of sea.
Mājuli Island
Mājuli is a large river island in the Brahmaputra river, in Assam with an area of 1,250 Kms² once upon a time but but having lost significantly to erosion it has left with only a third of it. It was formed due to course changes by the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. It was originally a piece of land between Brahamputra River (north) and Burhidihing river (south). Due to earthquakes back in mediveal times, the change of Brahamputra river course caused the formation of the Majuli Island. Mājuli is also the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaisnavite culture. A wetland, Mājuli is rich biodiversity spot and is home to many rare and endangered avifauna species including migratory birds that arrive in the winter season. Among the birds seen here are: the Greater Adjutant Stork, Pelican, Siberian Crane and the Whistling Teal. After dark wild geese and ducks fly in flocks to distant destinations. The island is almost pollution free owing to the lack of polluting industries and factories and also the chronic rainfall.
Islands Off Mumbai
Butcher Island
Butcher Island (Jawahar Dweep) is an island off the coast of Mumbai. It has an oil terminal used by the port authorities to offload it from oil tankers. The crude oil is stored in oil containers on the island. From there they are piped to Wadala, in Mumbai where they are refined. This keeps the city relatively safe from a mishap. It is a restricted area and most of the island is covered with dense vegetation. A hillock rises from the centre of the island. It is located 8.25 kilometres (5.13 mi) from the Gateway of India.
Elephanta Island
Elephanta Island or Gharapuri Island is in Mumbai Harbour. It is home to the Elephanta Caves that have been carved out of rock.
Oyster Rock
Oyster Rock is an island in the Mumbai harbour, Mumbai, India. It is fortified, and owned by the Indian Navy.
Pamban Island
Pamban Island or Rameswaram Island is in Tamil Nadu. The chain formed by Pamban Island, the shoals of Adam’s Bridge, and Mannar Island of Sri Lanka separate Palk Bay and the Palk Strait in the northeast from the Gulf of Mannar in the southwest. Pamban Island extends for around 30 kilometres in width from the township of Pamban in the west to the remains of Dhanushkodi towards the south-east.
Sri Harikota
Sriharikota is a barrier island off the coast of Andhra Pradesh. It houses India’s only satellite launch centre in the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (also known as SHAR) and is used by the Indian Space Research Organisation to launch satellites using multi-stage rockets such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. Sriharikota separates the Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal, and is home to the town of Pulicat.
