Katchatheevu Island — A Bridge Between Tamil Cultures
Discover the unique island shared by Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils, known for its rich fishing heritage and cultural ties.
Discover the unique island shared by Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils, known for its rich fishing heritage and cultural ties.
Katchatheevu is a small island located in the Palk Strait, between Neduntheevu (Sri Lanka) and Rameswaram (India). It holds historical and cultural significance for Tamil fishing communities on both sides.
Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka, resolving maritime boundaries but maintaining traditional fishing rights.
The island hosts a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Katchatheevu, attracting Tamil pilgrims annually.
Despite political boundaries, the island remains a cultural bridge for Tamil fishermen and communities.
Fishermen use age-old methods passed down generations, relying on knowledge of the sea and seasonal patterns.
Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka continue to fish in surrounding waters, respecting historic arrangements.
The waters around Katchatheevu support diverse fish species, vital for local economies and food security.
Annual religious gathering attracting thousands of pilgrims from both India and Sri Lanka, reinforcing cultural bonds.
Traditional Tamil songs and dances are performed during festivals, celebrating fishing life and sea worship.
Katchatheevu Island is a small, uninhabited landmass located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. This remote island has become synonymous with fishing rights, maritime boundaries and diplomatic negotiations. Understanding the katchatheevu island location on map is essential for students, researchers and policy makers interested in South Asian geopolitics. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the katchatheevu island map and delve into the katchatheevu island population, geography and religious landmarks such as the historic katchatheevu island church that continues to draw Tamil fishermen and pilgrims annually.
Seeing Katchatheevu Island on a detailed map reveals its strategic position in the Palk Strait, roughly five kilometers southeast of India’s Rameswaram coast. For an accurate depiction, many search “katchatheevu island map,” “katchatheevu island on map” or “katchatheevu island in map” to compare modern satellite imagery with colonial-era charts. Interactive geographic information systems and archived maritime surveys illustrate how the island’s sovereignty shifted over time, giving rise to the katchatheevu island dispute and informing maritime boundary negotiations between India and Sri Lanka.
The katchatheevu island issue dates back to the 19th century when British administrators managed the Pamban region. The island was transferred to Sri Lanka under the India-Sri Lanka maritime agreement of 1974. This decision sparked the katchatheevu island controversy, prompting questions such as “katchatheevu island belongs to which country” and leading to heated debates in Indian and Sri Lankan media. For UPSC aspirants, studying the katchatheevu island issue UPSC syllabus is crucial, and institutions like Drishti IAS offer detailed analysis of treaty provisions and maritime boundary delimitation.
Following the 1974 agreement, katchatheevu island belongs to Sri Lanka, though Indian fishermen retain traditional fishing rights in adjacent waters. This resolution clarified the question “katchatheevu island belongs to which country” for legal scholars and diplomats, even as fishermen’s associations continue to negotiate access under bilateral arrangements.
Covering an area of approximately 1.8 square kilometers, Katchatheevu Island is low-lying and features sparse vegetation, coastal shrubs and scattered palm trees. The island’s ecosystem supports migratory birds and marine life despite having zero permanent residents. Those researching “katchatheevu island population” will note that fishermen and pilgrims visit seasonally, particularly around the katchatheevu island church feast day. Located in the Palk Bay, a shallow extension of the Bay of Bengal, the island illustrates how geography and livelihood intersect in this maritime border region.
A central feature is the Our Lady of Katchatheevu church, known locally as the katchatheevu island church. Built in the early twentieth century, this shrine has become a pilgrimage site for Tamil Catholics from both India and Sri Lanka. Each February, fishermen pray for safe voyages and bountiful catches, reflecting the island’s enduring cultural and spiritual importance. Photographers and historians searching for katchatheevu island images capture the church’s white façade against the blue sea and the daily life of colonial-era fishermen’s huts.
UPSC and other civil service aspirants frequently encounter the katchatheevu island upsc topic in geography and polity papers. Coaching centres like Drishti IAS provide specialized modules on the katchatheevu island issue, covering maritime boundary agreements, fishing rights and international law. Understanding these aspects helps candidates answer questions on bilateral diplomacy and coastal security. Detailed maps, historical timelines and dispute analyses form key resources for aspirants examining the katchatheevu island dispute in UPSC context.
This guide offers a complete overview of Katchatheevu Island’s location, history, geography and cultural relevance. For further research, explore academic articles, government archives and interactive mapping tools to gain deeper insight into this island that has shaped India-Sri Lanka relations for decades.
Katchatheevu Island belongs to Sri Lanka following the 1974 maritime agreement between India and Sri Lanka. Despite sovereignty transfer, Indian fishermen retain traditional fishing rights under bilateral arrangements.
The katchatheevu island issue arose from colonial-era boundary interpretations and culminated in the 1974 transfer. The dispute focused on territorial claims and access to rich fishing grounds in the Palk Strait.
The katchatheevu island controversy involves debates over sovereignty, resource rights and fisherfolk welfare. Critics highlight the loss of Indian territory, while proponents argue the treaty facilitated clear jurisdiction and regulated maritime activities.
On nautical and satellite maps, katchatheevu island appears as a small dot in the Palk Strait, southeast of Rameswaram. Searching “katchatheevu island on map” or “katchatheevu island map” provides interactive views of its location.
A variety of katchatheevu island images are available online, including photos of the historic church, fishermen camp and birdlife. Photo archives and travel blogs often feature high-resolution visuals of the island’s landscape.
Katchatheevu Island is located in the Palk Bay, part of the Palk Strait in the Indian Ocean. It lies between the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu and the northern tip of Sri Lanka.
Katchatheevu Island has no permanent residents. It remains uninhabited year-round, though fishermen and pilgrims visit seasonally for fishing and religious ceremonies at the katchatheevu island church.
The Our Lady of Katchatheevu church is a pilgrimage site for Tamil Catholics from India and Sri Lanka. The annual feast draws thousands of devotees, symbolizing shared culture and faith across national borders.
In UPSC exams, the katchatheevu island upsc topic features under maritime boundary disputes and bilateral treaties. Coaching institutes like Drishti IAS provide in-depth analysis of the katchatheevu island issue upsc syllabus, including historical treaties and fisherfolk rights.
