Kiltan Explained

Kiltan or Kilthan
Local Name:KİLTON
Map:India3
Coordinates:11.483°N 73.005°W
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.
Location:Arabian Sea
Archipelago:Lakshadweep
Waterbody:Laccadive sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean
Total Islands:1
Area Km2:1.78
Area Footnotes:[1]
Rank:8th
Length Km:3.4
Width Km:0.6
Coastline Km:8.1
Elevation M:2
Highest Mount:44 metre(light house)
Country: India
Country Admin Divisions Title:Territory
Country Admin Divisions:Union territory of Lakshadweep
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:District
Country Admin Divisions 1:Lakshadweep
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Island group
Country Admin Divisions 2:Aminidivi
Country Admin Divisions Title 3:Tehsils of India
Country Admin Divisions 3:Aminidivi
Country Admin Divisions Title 4:Subdivisions of India
Country Admin Divisions 4:Kiltan
Country Largest City:Kacherippadiyar
Country Largest City Population:1500
Population:4041
Population As Of:2011
Population Rank:8
Density Km2:2270
Ethnic Groups:Koyas, Melacheri and Malmi
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:682558
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:04898
Iso Code Type:ISO code
Iso Code:IN-LD-08[2]
Additional Info:
Child:yes
Label2:Literacy
Data2:91.4%
Label3:Avg. summer temperature
Data3:32°C
Label4:Avg. winter temperature
Data4:28°C
Label5:Sex ratio
Data5:1.041 /

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 291 km away from Kannur, 303 km away from Kozhikode, and 394km (245miles) west of the city of Kochi.The nearest mainland body is Cannanore and the nearest port is Mangalore.

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.

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 3.76km2) 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 291 km away from Kannur, 303 km away from Kozhikode, and 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

Historically, the primary source of income on the island was fishing and coconut production. However, in recent times, the island's residents have diversified their livelihoods, venturing into various fields, including government positions (in education, police, communication, transportation, business, and IT) and private employment opportunities like construction (building and road development), plumbing, and electrical work.

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.

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census . Government of Lakshadweep . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722061135/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf . 2016-07-22 .
  2. Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code
  3. http://lakshadweep.nic.in/documents/Chapter%20V/Kiltan/Kiltan-9-n.pdf Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act - Kiltan
  4. http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub173/173sec05.pdf Hydrographic Description (Indian Ocean Pilot)
  5. R. H. Ellis, A short account of the Laccadive Islands and Minicoy, AES reprint 1992