Katchatheevu Island              

Last Updated on 22nd December, 2021
2 minutes, 14 seconds

Description

 

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • Thirteen Indian fishermen, hailing from Tamil Nadu, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

 

Geography

  • Katchatheevu is a 163-acre uninhabited island administered by Sri Lanka and was a disputed territory claimed by India until 1976.
  • The island is located between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, and has been traditionally used by both Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian fishermen.

 

Historical Background

  • Earlier, it was owned by the Ramnad Kingdom of Ramanathapuram Rameshwaram which later came under the Madras Presidency during British rule of India.
  • It was recognised by Ceylon as part of British India after the delimitation of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait between the then governments of Madras and Ceylon.
  • However in 1921, both Sri Lanka and India laid claims to Katchatheevu.

 

Post Independence

  • In 1974, then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka under the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement"
  • The agreement aimed at resolving the maritime boundaries in the Palk Strait.
  • Another agreement signed in 1976 restricted both the countries’ fishermen from fishing in the other’s exclusive economic zones.

Palk Strait

  • Palk Bay is studded at its southern end with a chain of low islands and reef shoals that are collectively called Adam's Bridge.
  • This chain extends between Dhanushkodi on Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaram Island) in Tamil Nadu and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.
  • The island of Rameswaram is linked to the Indian mainland by the Pamban Bridge.

 

https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=G389ALPRD.1&imageview=0

Related Articles

DHANSIRI RIVER 08 Apr, 2025
SAGAING FAULT 07 Apr, 2025
SENTINEL ISLAND 07 Apr, 2025
LIGHT FISHING 05 Apr, 2025
CHILE 05 Apr, 2025
TONGA 04 Apr, 2025
NAINI LAKE 04 Apr, 2025
SCARBOROUGH SHOAL 02 Apr, 2025

Free access to e-paper and WhatsApp updates

Let's Get In Touch!