SCOPE OF TOURISM INANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

BY A.Niveditha

INTRODUCTION The Andaman and Nicobar islands are a

group of islands at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

They are a union territory of India. They are home to the only known

Paleolithic people, the Sentinelese people, who have no contact with any other people,

HISTORY Its initial human settlement is lost to

history. Anthropologists say stone tool crafters

have lived here for 2000 years . Scholars of human migration believe

local indigenous tribes have roots in Negrito and Malay ethnic groups in Southeast Asia.

ORIGIN OF NAME The name ANDAMAN is thought to

derive from HANUMAN – the Hindu God of monkey, supposedly used the islands as a stepping stone between India and Sri Lanka.

Following Independence in 1947 the Andaman & Nicobar Islands were incorporated into the Indian union.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands State Information Capital :Port Blair Date of formation: 1. Nov. 1956 Tourist attractions: Cellular Jail, Ross

Island, Havelock Island, Marine Museum Festivals: Andaman and Nicobar

Tourism Festival, ethnic tribal festivals Languages: Hindi, Nicobarese, Bengali,

Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu

Size: 8,249 sq. km Population (Census 2011): 380,381 State animal: Dugong (Sea Cow) State bird: Andaman Wood Pigeon State tree: Andaman Padauk Major crops: Paddy, coconuts, nuts, banana,

mango Factoids: It is located in the Bay of Bengal. It

is composed of 572 Islands No. of District: 3

TSUNAMI In 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake –

these islands were deadly devasted. Nicobars were special population hard

hit. 1/5th of the was killed

CLMATE Sea breezes(temperature) 23o c to 31o

Humidity - 80% all year Monsoon(wet) – mid May & early

October Northeast (dry) monsoon – November &

December

GEOGRAPHY The island forms the peak of the Arakan

Yoma, a mountain range that begins in western Myanmar(Burma) and extends into the ocean running all the way to Sumatra in Indonesia.

Majority of land area is taken up by the Andaman at 6408sq km.

Nicobar(1841sq km) begin 50km south of little Andaman

FLORA & FAUNA Isolation of Andaman island led to the

evolution of many endemic plants & animal species of 62 identified mammals, 32 are unique to the islands.

Among them – Andaman wild pig,

Crab eating macaque

Masked palm civet

Tree shrews & bats

EAGLE

GROUND DWELLING MEGAPODE

HORNBILLS

DOVES

NICOBAR PEGION

Almost 50% of the island 250 bird species are endemic.

The isolated beaches provide excellent breeding grounds for turtles and inland rivers are prowled by saltwater crocodiles.

Dolphins are frequently sighted

INFORMATION Though 1000km east of the mainland

the Andamans still run on Indian time. It can be dark by 5PM and light by 4AM. People here tend to be early risers. Peak season is December and January In September & October tourists can fill

literally every bed in Port Blair.

PERMITS Most civil servants come to Port Blair on 2year

postings from mainland. All foreigners need permit to visit the Andaman

Islands and it is issued free on arrival. The 30 day permit allows foreigners to stay at

Port Blair. Overnight stays are also permitted on south

and middle Andaman, Long island. North Passage, Little Andaman and Havelock and Neil Island.

The permit also allows day trips to Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Ross Narcondam, Interview and Rutland islands as well as Brother and the Sisters.

ACTIVITIES DIVING Considered as one of the world’s great

diving locations. Main dive season is – depending on

monsoon, Runs roughly November – April During summer June – August. Diving conditions are generally fine in

September – October.

SNORKELING Much easier and cheaper to arrange than

diving. This can be highly rewarding. Havelock island is one of the best and

certainly easiest places for Snorkeling as many accommodation places organize .

North Bay is the closest place for Snorkeling in Port Blair

Red Skin, Jolly Buoy near Wandoor are relatively easily accessible.

SURFING Surfing travelers have been whispering

about ‘Little Andaman’ since it first opened up to foreigners several years ago.

FISHING The Andamans also have game fishing

opportunities.

FESTIVALS IN ANDAMAN The 10 day Island Tourism Festival is

held in Port Blair , usually in January. Dance groups come from surrounding

islands and the mainland and various cultural performances are held at the exhibition complex.

One of the most bizarre aspects is the Andaman Dog show, flower show, baby show and a fancy dresscompetition.

Subhash mela is held every January on Havelock to celebrate the Birthday of freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose.

SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES Cellular Jail National Museum Built over a period of 18 years in 1890. Like many prisons , cellular jail became

something of a university for freedom fighters who exchanged books, ideas and debates despite walls and wardens.

A sound and light show consisting of voice- over conversations between the ‘SPRIT’ of the jail and its former inhabitants borders on being powerful

Cellular Jail National Museum

ANTROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM The best museum in Port Blair provides

a thorough and sympathetic portrait of the island indigenous tribal communities.

ANTROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM

SAMUDRIKA MARINE MUSEUM Run by the Indian Navy. It is one of the best science museums in

Port Blair. It is informative especially as concerns

the island eco system, tribal communities, plants, animals and marine life.

SAMUDRIKA MARINE MUSEUM

FOREST MUSEUM &CHATHAM SAW MILL Located on chatham island. Saw mill was set up by British in 1836

and was one of the largest wood processors in Asia.

Inside is the forest museum, which displays locally grown woods, including padauk and has displays on the history of timber milling on the island.

ROSS ISLAND In its day Ross island was fondly called

“Paris of the East.” But the cute title, vibrant social scene and

tropical gardens were all wiped out by the double whammy of 1941 earthquake and the invasions of japanese.

There is a small museum with historical displays and photos of Ross Island in its heyday and small park where resident deer nibble on bushes.

VIPER & NORTH BAY The afternoon boat trip to viper island is

worthwhile to see the sobering remains of the ochre- colored Brick Jail and the gallows built by the British in 1867.

North Bay is the most early accessible snorkeling bay to Port Blair.

VIPER & NORTH BAY

CINQUE ISLAND The uninhabited island of north and

south cinque , connected by a sandbar are part of the wildlife sanctuary south of the wandoor.

The islands are surrounded by coral reefs and are among the most beautiful in the andamans.

CINQUE ISLAND

HAVELOCK ISLAND With snow white beaches, teal shallows,

dark jungle hills, a coast crammed with beach huts and backpackers from around the world Havelock is one of those budget travel tropical gems.

It is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.

HAVELOCK ISLAND

JOLLY BUOY It is very famous for under water corals

and the pristine clear beach. This place is one hour journey from

wandoor beach. Snorkeling and Scuba diving are

available here. Jolly Buoy is a No Plastic zone.

JOLLY BUOY

BARREN ISLAND• It is the land of volcano.• It is the only active volcano in India.• The island has a big crater of volcano

raising abruptly from the sea.

BARREN ISLAND

RED SKIN ISLAND It is another island in Mahatma Gandhi

Marine National Park which has a nice beach and offers spectacular view of marine and coral life.

RED SKIN ISLAND

BEACHES Sandy beaches of these islands are famous for

turtle nesting. Important species of turtles are olive Ridley turtle,

leather black turtle, green sea turtle, hawkshill turtle, water monitor lizard, salt water crocodiles, reticulate pythons etc., are also seen here.

Corbyn’s cove Tourism Complex. Raolha Garag Beach. Harmandir Bay Beach Karmatang Beach Ramnagar Beach

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