Kiltan

Kiltan or Kilthan
KİLTON
	UTC+5:30)
PIN	682558
Telephone code	04898
ISO code	IN-LD-08
Official website	www.lakshadweep.gov.in
Literacy	91.4%
Avg. summer temperature	32.0 °C (89.6 °F)
Avg. winter temperature	28.0 °C (82.4 °F)
Sex ratio	1.041 ♂/♀

Kiltan or Kilthān Island is a

Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India

. It is at a distance of 291 km away from Kannur, 303 km away from Kozhikode, and 394 km (245 mi) west of the city of Kochi. The nearest mainland body is

Cannanore and the nearest port is Mangalore

.

History

Kiltan is settled during early periods of common immigration to the

Ceylon.^[3]

Kiltan is the home of the Sufi saint Shaikh Ahmed Naqshabanthi.

Geography

Kiltan is one of the populated islands of Lakshadweep. It is located 51 km to the northeast of

Amini Island and 32 km to the southeast of Chetlat Island, between 11° 28′ and 11° 30′ N latitude and 72° 59′ and 73° 01′ E longitude, and has an area of 2.20 km². The reef and lagoon (total area of 3.76 km² (1.45 sq mi)) are located to the west of the island and the dry land has 3.4 km length and 0.6 km width at the broadest point.^[4] On the northern and southern ends of the island, there are high storm beaches. This island is 291 km away from Kannur, 303 km away from Kozhikode, and 394 km (213 nautical miles) away from Kochi

. Its lagoon area is 1.76 km².

Kiltan island also has crossed by 73rd meridian east through its landmark known as Kulikkara is a tomb of a Lady venerated by natives.

Economics

Historically, the primary source of income on the island was fishing and coconut production. However, in recent times, the island's residents have diversified their livelihoods, venturing into various fields, including government positions (in education, police, communication, transportation, business, and IT) and private employment opportunities like construction (building and road development), plumbing, and electrical work.

Demographics

The population in Kiltan was 3945 as per census 2011. Most people from Kiltan, as in Amini and

Kadmat, belonged to the Koya, Mali and Melacheri families.^[5]

The language spoken is Jeseri, a mixture of Malayalam and Tamil influenced by Arabic as in other islands. But the peoples don't use its script because its writing was stopped too earlier period. Kiltan has rich folk cultures and warm hospitality to its tradition. The Island has a 41-metre lighthouse and an average Heliport t used by Administration for Emergency medical services.

In the past, Kiltan was nicknamed as

Southern India.^{[citation needed}

]

Administration

The island has a Sub Divisional Officer appointing by administration from Kavaratti the Union capital of Lakshadweep commanding as executive and judicial head of islands. The Police station of Kiltan have dozens of constables and marines under a sub-inspector. Also there have a base camp for IRBN (India Reserve Bettalion) for duties such as safeguarding of Treasury and use as additional force with police in case of an emergency.

Image gallery

Kiltan island seen from southern extreme point of reef also here is a small channel named Mooni
Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy
Map
Kiltan jetty
Kiltan island seen from southern extreme point of reef also here is a small channel named Mooni
An evening from Cocafulluckyar Kiltan Island