Chetlat

The Chetlat Island is 56 km on the north of the Amini and 432 km (233 nautical miles) away from Kochi. It lies between 11° 41' and 11° 43' N latitude and 72° 41' and 72° 43' E longitude having an area of 1.40 sq km. The island has 2.68 km length, 0.59 km breadth at the broadest point and has a lagoon of 1.60 sq km. Along the eastern side of the island, there is a wide belt of coral delta formed by storms, which broadens at the north and covers the whole southern end of the island. History      The early history of Chetlat says that, it had suffered cruelty at the hands of the Portuguese pirates in the 16th century. Many indigenous people of Chetlat were executed while others were put behind the bars by the robbers of Portugal who used to invade the island from the sea. Chetlat is located 35 km northwest from Kiltan, on the northern edge of the Amindivi Islands group The island is covered with coconut palms, cotton, jack fruit and drumstick trees. The world famous fish tuna is found in large shoals in the deep seas around Chetlat. Whales and tortoises are also found in the surrounding areas of the island. Water sports facilities are available in the island. The main occupation of the inhabitants is fishing and coir twisting. Boat building is a flourishing industry in the island. The nearest inhabited island is Kiltan which is around 13 km from Chetlat. Chetlat is about90 km from Mangalore (Karnataka), 100 km from Kannur and 110 km from Kozhikode (Kerala). Population    The population estimation done in 2009 by the directorate of planning in Lakshadweep suggests that the population of the island is 2545. Out of this 1271 are males and 1274 are females. The sex ratio of the island is 1002 females per 1000 males which suggest one among the best sex ratio in the island which favors female. As per the latest census figures in 2001 the population of Chetlat is 2291 out of which 2234 belong to the scheduled tribe population. 59 families are below the poverty line out of the total 469 families. This suggests a poverty ratio of 12.58 percent. The decennial population growth of the island over the ten years period from 1991-2001 is 11.70 percent. A review of the population trend suggests that the population has grown from 2051 in 1991 to 2291 in 2001. The average family size comes to 4.9 per family. In terms of the density of population the island ranked 7 in 2001 which was rank 3 in 1951 and was 5 in 1991. However the density in actual number of population increased from 911 in 1951 to 2203 in 2001. Literacy     According to the 2001 census figures the literacy rate of Lakshadweep comes to 86.66 which was 67% in 1991 census year. The literacy rate of Chetlat as per 2001 census year is 84.3% which is marginally below the over all average of the Lakshadweep. Out of this female literacy is 79.47 and male literacy is 88.92. lighthouse    Google satellite viewprobably shows the shadow of the lighthouse. Another sibling of the Amini Light. Chetlat is a small, isolated island on the northeast side of the Amindivis. Boat transportation is available about once a week from the other islands. Located by the pier on the west side of the island. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F0749; NGA 27588.