During his stay in Lakshadweep, which is governed by the central government and located north of the Maldives in the Arabian Sea, Prime Minister Modi unveiled several development initiatives and posted pictures of himself snorkelling and relaxing on the islands' beaches.

Following disparaging remarks made by three deputy ministers from the Maldives about Prime Minister Modi, there was a significant backlash on Indian social media. This led to a push for Lakshadweep as a different destination for tourists.

This campaign appears to be effective. There was a notable spike in Google searches for Lakshadweep, an area not usually featured prominently in the news, reaching unprecedented levels last week. MakeMyTrip, the biggest online travel agency in India, observed a remarkable 3,400% surge in searches for Lakshadweep on their platform after Mr. Modi's visit.

Praful Patel, the administrator of the region whose contentious policies previously triggered "unprecedented protests" among Lakshadweep locals a few years back, has expressed approval of the recent surge in attention.

Lakshadweep's stunning landscape holds great potential for tourism growth, according to the administrator. He mentioned to PTI, a news agency, that the administration is undertaking several initiatives, including increasing accommodation facilities.

The Tata Group has declared its intention to establish two top-tier resorts on two of Lakshadweep's islands by 2026. Out of the archipelago's 36 islands, only 10 are inhabited, covering an area of 32 square kilometres (about 12.3 square miles). The sole airline currently operating flights to Lakshadweep has increased its services, and another airline is planning to commence operations there soon.

Specialists argue that due to its modest size and delicate environmental balance, Lakshadweep, known for its stunning silver beaches, clear blue waters, and coral islands, is not suitable for large-scale tourism development like the Maldives. Additionally, numerous local residents advocate for sustainable tourism where they are active participants, rather than extensive development projects that could disrupt their traditional lifestyle.

According to a government website, the primary livelihoods of the inhabitants include fishing, growing coconuts, and coir twisting. The site describes tourism as a budding industry in the region.

Before the introduction of extra flights, access to the archipelago was limited to just two options: a daily flight from Kochi in Kerala by a 72-seat Alliance Air plane to the sole airport in Lakshadweep on Agatti Island, and ship services from the mainland arriving every four days. Moreover, gaining entry to Lakshadweep is regulated through permits issued by the local administration.

PP Mohammed Faizal of the Nationalist Congress Party, the sole Member of Parliament for the approximately 70,000 residents of Lakshadweep, points out that transport, accommodation, and on-land infrastructure significantly limit the development of the islands. He notes that Bangaram Island, where Prime Minister Modi stayed, has a mere 36 rooms available for tourists.

As a result, the majority of tourism in the region currently revolves around cruise ships. Tourists visit the islands from ships anchored near the archipelago during the day and then return to the ships for overnight stays.

In comparison, the Maldives provides tourists with a wide variety of accommodation options such as resorts, hotels, and guesthouses. Mr. Faizal comments that although Lakshadweep can match the Maldives in terms of beach beauty, underwater, and water sports activities, there is a significant gap in infrastructure. He emphasizes that resolving the conflict between the administration and the island residents is crucial for any development to proceed.

Lakshadweep, where 96% of the population is Muslim, has experienced unrest following the 2021 appointment of Mr. Patel, an ex-member of Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, as its administrator. Controversial policies have been introduced under his administration, such as excluding meat from school lunches and proposing legislation that grants extensive authority to the administration over land acquisition.

The BBC has attempted to contact Mr. Patel's office, the Lakshadweep collector, and the departments of tourism and information through phone calls and emails, but has not received any replies. Mr. Patel has stood by his administration's actions in interviews, insisting that his primary goal is the "development of Lakshadweep."

Althaf Hussain, who operates a travel agency on Agatti Island, notes that since Mr. Modi's visit, there has been a 30-40% increase in tourist inquiries. While open to more tourists, Mr. Hussain, who aspires to establish his own resort on Agatti, stresses that local entrepreneurs should benefit from these opportunities, not just large corporations.

He emphasizes the desire for more than just minor job roles in these developments, advocating for local involvement and ownership rather than merely providing labor. Specialists assert that development in Lakshadweep must carefully weigh the impact on local livelihoods against the risks posed by climate change.

Marine biologist and coral reef ecologist Rohan Arthur, who has been conducting research on the islands since 1996, told the BBC about the critical role of Lakshadweep's natural features. He explains that the long-term stability of the islands is heavily reliant on the health of its coral reefs, lagoons, and beaches. These components are the crucial 'ecological infrastructure' that literally binds the atoll together. He is concerned about the impact of a predicted larger ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) this year on the Lakshadweep reefs.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate phenomenon that occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. It refers to the irregular changes in temperature and air pressure that can impact weather patterns worldwide. El Niño is a warm phase, characterized by increased ocean temperatures, while La Niña is a cool phase, associated with cooler ocean temperatures. The ENSO cycle influences rainfall, temperature, and wind patterns, which can have significant effects on global weather conditions. He warns that development which doesn't consider the effects of climate change could worsen living conditions in Lakshadweep.

According to experts and locals, sustainable tourism in the Lakshadweep islands would involve moving away from luxury tourism that has a negative environmental impact. Instead, it would prioritize the preservation of the fragile ecosystem and meet the needs of the local community. The region already has a comprehensive development plan proposed by the Justice Ravindran Commission, approved by the environment ministry in 2015, which serves as a guiding document for responsible and eco-friendly tourism practices.

While Mr. Patel claims that the development plan has been implemented, Mr. Faizal disagrees and asserts that the administration rarely adheres to the court-mandated guidelines. The Integrated Island Management Plan suggests that development projects should be carried out in consultation with elected local self-government bodies and advocates for the protection of lagoons, corals, and other ecosystems by banning dredging and sand mining. Additionally, the plan recommends limiting tourism projects to uninhabited islands.

According to Mr. Arthur, a responsible tourism approach in Lakshadweep would involve tourists adopting a more conscious mindset. This would entail understanding the region's rich cultural heritage, consuming food that is sustainably sourced and prepared using local recipes, exploring the reefs with the help of local guides and divers, and promoting the long-term preservation of these unique areas. Mr. Arthur envisions a form of tourism that supports and respects local economies, allowing tourists to actively engage with and contribute to the village community's daily life. (IPA Service)