Lakshadweep

Residents of Lakshadweep are protesting the Union Territory administration's attempt to acquire 101,020 square meters of private land on Agatti Island for tourism and other projects, claiming it bypasses mandatory approvals from gram sabhas and landowners. The notification, issued on January 5, states that consent from gram sabhas and landowners is not mandatory, despite plans for a social impact assessment. Locals have raised alarms over potential environmental damage to the fragile coral ecosystem.