Bitra or Bitrā Par is a coral atoll belonging to the Amindivi Subgroup of islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India, 33 km to the north of Perumal Par and 41 km to the southeast of Byramgore Reef[1]. The island of Bitra is located at the northern end of the Bitrā Par coral reef.[2]
Prior to the 20th century islanders from Kiltan and Chetlat visited the island to collect the eggs of pelagic birds breeding there. Until 1945, when a woman from Chetlat made this island her home, there were no attempts to settle this island permanently.[3] There is a small shrine dedicated to an old Arab saint by the name of Malik Mulla who was buried on the island. The shrine has become a site of pilgrimage.[4]
The 2001 census determined that only 267 people made this island their home, thus being officially the least populated among the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep. Bangaram Island is oficially uninhabited, although 61 people (mainly resort staff) lived there according to the 1991 census.[5]