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Land, Soil and Climate

Soil & Drainage

Soil Conservation

       Soil erosion does not pose any  immediate problem in the union Territory, though sometimes small portions from one part of the islands get washed away during the south west monsoon and the soils get deposited in another part. Most of the soil of western shore of Agatti and Kavaratti has been blown away by the wind and left barren. In some islands like Minicoy and Agatti, soil has become so shallow that even lapping of the small wave can uproot the coconut trees. Casuarina, scaveola, pemphis etc. are planted as second layer to the shore protection works in some areas to protect  soil erosion.       

Soils:The formation of Lakshadweep soil is from fragmentation of coral lime stones and sedimentary rocks. It is formed by sediments deposited by water and wind which are consolidated into rocks by weight of the overlying deposits. Later by fragmentation of the lime stones and sedimentary rocks fine soil is accumulated.

       The soil tract along the sea shore is white in colour. The soil in the interior tract of the island generally is ash coloured for the reason that from the remnants of the plants and animals, inorganic and organic acids are formed which in turn bring about profound influence on rapid weathering and changes the white colour of the soil. Calcite is the chief constituent of lime stone and is the main source of calcium in soil.

        A typical section of the soil profile: 

i)       Horizon A:- This is the upper most layer of the soil which contain a considerable amount of ash coloured organic matter about 20 cm in thickness. This provides a congenial surface for root foraging of the crops.

ii)       Horizon B:-  In this, leached products of Horizon A are deposited. The colour of the soil becomes more and more white according to the depth and this horizon represent the sub soil.

iii)      Horizon C:- This forms the immediate weathered parent material having texture of unbound soil particles purely white in colour.

IV.      Horizon D:- This is the beneath of the horizon C, where the solid parent rock material known as PARA is seen.

       In the mechanical composition of the soil, the maximum quantum is of coarse sand followed by fine sand and silt. Clay content is comparatively very little in the island soil and it is only found in the interior shallow belts. Typically the soil along the coasts of islands is sandy in nature where only coconut is grown. In the interior tracts with sandy loam soil, besides coconut, other crops like Bread fruit, Banana, Anonaceous fruits etc. are coming up well.

       The pH of the soil is neutral, the index ranging from 6-8.  Generally soil is rich in Phosphorus and calcium, yet too deficient in the macro elements, nitrogen and potash. Phosphatic soil with 11 to 24 percent P2 O5 is found in Kiltan, Chetlat and Kalpeni. Guano reserves accumulated in Pitti is rich in Phosphorus with round about 18 percent P2 O5. A considerable portion of the surface soil in the above island is a good reserve of Phosphates.

      DRAINAGE:

   The soils are dominantly sandy in texture and hence highly porous in nature. In general, the soils are excessively drained. However the low lying  lands are imperfectly drained. The rainwater moves vertically down and wherever the substratum of coral limestone is met, move laterally and joins the sea / lagoon. Of late, because of the human activity, human waste and other pollutants reach the lagoon and adversely affect the fragile ecosystem, harming the fish and coral growth around the islands.