Kavalga Island – You Have To Know

Kavalga Island is a small and uninhabited island located in the Arafura Sea. It is located about 350 kilometres north-east of Darwin, Australia. The island was discovered in 1802 by the Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh and named after the Portuguese navigator Joao Baptista de Kale who sighted it on his voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to India in 1616.

Kavalga Island History

The discovery of Kavalga Island by the Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh in 1802 is significant as it was the first European sighting of the eastern coast of Australia. The island was later named after Portuguese navigator Joao Baptista de Kale who sighted

It on his voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to India in 1616. No human inhabitants are known to currently reside on or access Kavalga Island which remains uninhabited. Eastwards from the island is Kavalga Bay, a large bay within which lies the settlement of Delabeche. The latter was founded by Evreli Maloelua in 1899 on behalf of his Inland Missionary Society.

Originally called Kombaalguu (Kombai) after a local Aboriginal tribe, it received its current name in 1903 due to ongoing miscommunication between Bangila and Northern Territory newspapers as they were unaware that ‘Delaberche’ means “the place where whites live”, referring to European settlers rather than blackfellas (sic). The island is non-contiguous with that of Lennard Island,

which lies 158 kilometres to the west. The only significant river course on Kavalga is Thangiong Creek and it opens out into a large lagoon known as Evan’s Bay, although there are some smaller waterways in the vicinity as well. These include Babinekguu Lagoon and Puangani Lagoon within 10 km to 14 km respectively from Kavalga Island; both flows empty directly into eastern Arnhem Land’s largest tributaries…Koolman (Mali) River .

Climate

The climate is tropical marine with little variation throughout the year. There are three pronounced seasons: a hot, wet summer; a cool dry winter; and an average rainfall of around 2,000 mm per year. The terrain is mostly a flat alluvial plain of red and yellow clays with locally-constructed limestone ridges. There are numerous sandy beaches, mainly on the western coastline between Point Richards to Point Ivanhoe Bay.

The soils have high levels of organic matter due to coastal inundation during seasonal rains; this has created thick regolith that acts as a natural fire break once dried out by warmer months. The soil on Kavalga Island is generally alkaline in nature with some quite acidic within glacial/metamorphic areas, notably at higher elevations around Cape Nelson inside Delab arre Peninsula. Beaches tend to be sandy and are devoid of herbaceous vegetation, except for those located on limestone outcrops.

Culture of Kavalga Island

There are only a handful of people living on Kavalga Island – the majority of the population is concentrated in two settlements located at Point Richards and Point Ivanhoe Bay on the eastern coastline. The island’s culture is heavily influenced by Aboriginal traditional practices, although there has been some recent change with an influx of mainlanders into the islands’ communities.

The first European contact with Kavalga Island was during October 1827 when Captain James Grant aboard HMS Sulphur managed to land several members of Edward John Eyre’s expedition party who had unfortunately become lost while exploring nearby Mount Wellington . Although relations were relatively favourable, the party was unable to establish permanent contact due largely to severe weather conditions and lack of natural resources.

Politics

The island is part of the Australian Capital Territory Electoral Division of Canberra. It is represented in Federal Parliament by Ms Bridget McKenzie, a member for Canberra . In state politics it is part of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Northern Tablelands. It is currently held by former Chief Minister and Nationals Deputy Leader Jeanette Powell who gained the seat in 2011 when it was vacated by incoming Premier Barry O’Farrell.

Government services

Kavalga Island is serviced by the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. There are no commercial services available on the island, with all imported goods being shipped in via helicopter or boat.

Tourism

Kavalga Island is a popular destination for tourists, most of whom arrive by helicopter. The primary activity on the island is fishing, although there are also a number of tour operators that offer day-trips to the various scenic points.

Transport

Kavalga Island is connected to the mainland by a regular helicopter service. The island is also serviced by several freighters that travel to and from Sydney for supply and import.

Conclusion

Kavalga Island is an uninhabited island located in the Laccadive Sea, about 45 km from Motta Malabari. The island is a part of the Lakshadweep archipelago and it is about 9 km long and 5 km wide. The topography consists of two main hills, Koovar and Koovar-Idukki. Administratively, it is part of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

FAQs

1.What Was The First European To Discover And Name Kavalga Island?

Ans: The Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh discovered and named the island in 1802.

2.What Is The Official Population Of Kavalga Island As Per 2011 Census?

Ans: There is no definitive answer to this question as it could not be ascertained from available data. However, according to various reports, there are reportedly around 100 people living on Kavalga Island at any given time.

3.How Big Is Kevalagia Island In Terms Of Its Land Area?

Ans: As mentioned above, the island is 9 km long and 5 km wide. Its total land area thus stands at about 17 square kilometers.

4.Is There Any Electricity In Kavalga Island? How Old Are These Power Plants?

Ans: There isn’t any electric supply on this small island but today, solar cells could be used to generate electrical energy using water as a battery source for illumination purposes or just basic lighting because of limited fossil fuel resources available in Lakshadweep Islands per se.

A few years back an effort was made by IISREETI LLP (a spin-off company from Kerala Startup Mission, a State Government agency providing support to young entrepreneurs) towards installation of solar panels on this island and there were reports relating the same published in mainstream media.

5.What Is Actually Livestock Farming? – Why Are So Many People Dependent On It?

Ans: Livestock grazing has been recognised as an important sector keeping pace with the world today and that too when climate change was not addressed properly at COP21 in Paris during United Nations Climate Change Conference held during December 2015 – 30th March 2016 where we witnessed negative impacts due to increased greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries worldwide.