SHORELINE DYNAMICS OF THE LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

Lakshadweep group of islands are mainly coral atolls. Fringing reefs p rotect these small islands from the attack of waves. This paper descri bes the waves and currents acting on Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agat ti, Kadamat and Androth islands. The main reason for erosion at these islands seems to be the removal of coral reef for construction and oth er purposes, and to some extent the dredging of navigational channel i n the lagoons. While the wave induced currents govern the sediment pro cesses along the open coast, the tidal and wave generated currents inf luence the lagoon beaches.