The island is administered by Sumenep Regency of Indonesia's East Java province.

The island is relatively underdeveloped and has been noted for its plant diversity and high concentrations of oxygen.

[1] Several villages are located on the island, and a 2019 scholarly article notes that the local population relies heavily on local plants for food and medicine.

[1] The island traditionally suffered from water shortages but infrastructure has gradually been improved and wells dug.

[2] The island's unusually high concentrations of oxygen have led to Gili Lyang being considered as a potential tourism hub.