ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS INFORMATION
Size – 8249 Sq Km.
Population – about 4 lakhs
No. of Islands – 556
Capital – Port Blair
Weather – Summer 30 D.C
Rain – 3180 mm
Atitude – Varies from sea level to 732 mtr
Forest Area – 86 % of total area
Forest Cover – 92 %
Tourist Season – October to May
Monsoon Tourism – June to September
Clothing – Cottons throughout the year
Language – Hindi , Bengali , Tamil , Malyalam , Telugu , Panjabi , Gujarathi , Marathi , English , Nicobares , Ranchi , Bhutu , Krein etc.
Std Code – 03192
How To Reach
Port Blair is connected by direct flight from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmadabad by Air India, Vistara, Spice jet, Indigo and Akasha Airlines
Direct passenger ship depart from Chennai, Kolkata, Vishakapatanam every fortnight, the voyge takes about 50 to 60 hrs.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
Foreigners require permit to stay in the Islands, which can be easily obtained on arrival at Port Blair, from the immigration authorities for 30 days stay. This can be extended for another 15 days with permission. Permits can also be obtained from India. Mission overseas Foreigners Registration offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta and the immigration authorities at the Airport at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. Permitted places Four night halt are south Andaman Islands (except Jarawa Reserve) , Middle Andaman Islands (except Jarawa Reserve), Litle Andaman Islands (except Trible Reserve), Neil Islands Havelock Islands , Long Islands,Diglipur, Baratang, Island in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park ,(excluding islands – Boat Islands ,Twin , Tarmugli , Malay and Pluto) , North Passage , permitted Places for day halt , Cinque Islands , Ross Islands , Narcondum Islands , Interview Island , Brother Islands , Sister Islands ,Barren Island –can be Visited on board vessels only. Indians need on permit to visit Andaman. However ,Visiting trible areas of Andaman & Nicobar Districts is prohibited and the Deputy Commissioner ,Andaman District ,Port Blair ,against application on prescribed from ,grants permits only in exceptional cases.
TRANSPORT SERVICES BY AIR & BY SEA
The Directorate of civil Aviation A&N Administration oprates Daily Helicopter Services from Port Blair to major Inter Island Tourist Destination. Sea Plane was introduced 2009. Latest information on services, Schedules.
PRIVATE INTER ISLAND LUXURY CRUISE
M/s MAK LOGISTISTICS, ITT SHIPPING, GREEN OCEAN SEAWAYS, SEALINK ADVENTURES have introduced Luxury passenger ferry cruise between Port Blair, Havelock Islands & Neil Islands
INTRODUCTION
Andaman’s have been surrounded in mystery for centuries due to their inaccessibility and hostile tribes. Large area of the Islands have been set aside as restricted zone leaving these stone age people in peace and their cultures impact. History of the Islands is not very well recorded. The British under the East India Company established their first colony in 1789 and first penal settlement in 1858 by Dr,J,P. Walkar. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands were constituted in to a union territory in November 1956.
Floting in splendid isolation, east of then India mainland, is the archipelago (archeological find) of 556 emerald islands,islets and rocks known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is spread over a distance nearly 700 kms. From North to South with 37 inhabited islands. A hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating (rising and falling) islands are covered with dense forests and an andless variety of exotic flora & fauna. The rare avi- fauna, underwater maine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove – lined creeks, offer a dream view of the rare gifts of nature. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract many nature – lovers.
The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are finged with coconut – plams that sway to the rhythm of the sea.
The sea around the islands offer excellent scope for water sports. The clean and wide roads, free of filth as well as unpolluted fresh air attract any nature – lover,s who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature.Adventure tourism like trekking, islands camping, snorkeling, scuba diving, sea walk, etc., are the real attractions.A visit to these islands is a memorable life time experience.
The islands are in two groups: Andaman’s and the Nicobar, with ten degree channel separating the two. They stretch over 500 miles of water in the Bay of Bangal. Geographically, they are situated between the 6th and 14th parallel of north, latitude and between 92 degree and 94 degree of east longitude.
Although the Andaman islands, large and small, number about 239, the bulk consists of three closely connected large islands., North,Middle and South Andaman’s which with other two islands, Baratang and Rut-Land, almost from one landmass known as the Great andaman’s. In the Nicobars ,ther are 19 islands of which 13 are inhabited by about 12,000 ab – original tribsmen. Most of them live on Nicobar islands, the northern most of the archipelago.Half of the total area is covered by the Great Nicobar Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is 120 miles from capeNegrais in Burma, 780 miles from Calcutta and 749 from Madras.
The islands possess a number of garbors, notably Port Blair in the south, Elphinstone and Bonington in the Middle and Port Cornwallis in the north. The Nicobar-islands are situated to the south of the Andaman. There is a fine landlocked harbor between the islands of Kamorta and Nancowry known as Nancowry Harbor. Coconut is the main item for trade and the major item in their die. And they have been cultivating coconut for as long as any one can remember. Mythologically, the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman.Since prehistoric times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes.The tribes of,the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, and Sentinatese, all of Negrito origin, While the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens , both of Mongoloid stock. The first settlement by the British took place in 1789, Which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the first War of Indipendence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Mopals, some criminal tribes from central and United provinces, refugees from East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen.
In these islands people of all faiths – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc ., and all of languages like Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter – religion and inter – regional marriages are common. This amazing racial and culture mix is correctly described as Mini – India.
LAND AND PEOPLE
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza. These Islands shimmer like emalds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. “Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The beat of tribal drums haunt the stillness and Technicolor fish steer their way through crystal clear water. “ This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the following famous lines of Keats. “Charmed magic casement opening on the foam of perilous seas in fair lands forlorn.” The scenic beauty of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, would create a sense of dissatisfaction and the human mand would rebel against “the whole mass of the motley facts of life”. He would be guided by an irresistibly desire to this paradise on earth, with invincible faith on the philosophy of Wordsworth: “Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold is full of blessing”. The unparalleled beauty of these islands, create in men a love of nature with a caressing tenderness, a wistful foundness for all its delicate nuances, The enveloping atmosphere with its subtle harmonies of flight and shade, fragrance and exhales the paadise, visionary splendours, and the music of the birds that defies definition would develop creative and constructive feelings in the hearts of those people who come here to enjoy the beauty of nature. He would like to rebel against the stereotyped moulds and forms into which life is so called ‘modernman’ is cast. He would be under the impact of the complex mood of infinite longing and tragic helplessness,”the yearning that craves for expression, yet defies expression, the inconclusive struggle between emotional apprehension of life and the articulation that must transcend personal emotion”. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have great maritime importance. During the British period political leadersconsidered dangerous to the interests of the Raj and other dreaded criminals were deported from mainland to the cellular jail- the Indian Bastille, situated on the sea coast of Atlanta Point in the North – Eastern part of Port Blair. Thus these islands were infamously known as the ‘Black Water prison’ or ‘Kala Pani’.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800kms. It is logical to presume a former land conection form cape negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pe dor) in Andalas (Sumatra).The flora and fauna of these islands, howere, indicate that this land connection if it existed, should have been prior to the development of thir present life form.
TRIBAL CULTURE:- The Andaman Nicobar tribes belive in their sprits of forest sky and sea. They have no idia of heaven or hell but they have much active faith in dreams. There is no trace of sun and moon worship.
Most of the islands tribes are in the food gathering stage Their food is wild pig, fish, honey, mollusce, seed, roots tubes etc.
INDIGENOUS TRIBES
The Great Andamanese
They were once the largest in population amongst the various tribes inhabitated the Andaman Islands.Today, they eat rice, dal, chapatti and other modern food items. They can cook food using spices. They still go for hunting and gathering. Their traditional diet consists of fish, dugong,turtle, turtle eggs, crabs, roots and tubers. They also eat pork, Andaman water monitor lizard etc. As coastal people, they relish octopus, molluses taken out from shell of marine animals like turbun shell, scorpion shell, sundial, helmet, trochus and screw shell besides various types of crabs and fish. Lately some of them have also established poultry farms. They are vulnerable to communicable diseases besides unhealthy drinking habits, acquired after contact with the non-tribal, urban, dominant and advanced communites.
ONGE
Onges are one of the most primitive tribes in India. They belong to the negrito racial stock and they have been relegated to the reservation at Dugong Creek in Little Andaman Islands. They are a semi-nomadic tribe and fully dependent on the food provided by nature.
JARAWAS
The Jarawas tribes with an estimated population of 407 inhabit Middle Andaman Islands. They are leading their normal life of hunting and gathering.
SENTINELESE
The Sentinelese are the inhabitants of North sentinel Islands. The area is about 60 sq. Kilomiters. They are probably the word’s only Paleolithic people surviving today without contact with any other group or community. They are considered as an off-shoot to the onge jarawa tribes which have acquired a different identity due to their habitation in an isolated Islands and have lost contact with the main tribes. The sentinelese are very hostile and never leave their Islands very little is known about these hostile tribes and characteristics.
SHOMPENS
The habitationof Shompens is the Great Nicobar which is the largest among the Nicobar Group of Islands. Like the Nicobarese, they belong to the Mongoloid race. The Shompens have two divisions, the smaller division being known as Mawa Shompens.
NICOBARESE
The Nicobarese are physically taller then the Andamanese., the men being on an average,about 5 feet 4 inches in height and the women in 5 feet. They are fair, of a yellow –brown complexion that admits of many different shades; with hair that is generally erally straight and black, but some times curly, though never as much as Andamanese, with faces board, with somewhat prominent cheek bones, prognathism of the jaw, exaggerated due to constant betel chewing, and the typical epicanthic fold of the mongoloid. Nicobarese live in permanent huts, which at one time, were also circular in shape, built not in the ground, but raised on slits about 7 feet above the ground and with split cane walls between the thatched, pie dish lalang grass roof and the split bamboo floor on cocoplam battens.
HISTORICAL ISLAND MONUMENT
CHATHAM ISLAND
The Chatham saw mill, one of the oldest and largest mills in Asia, is built on a tiny islands connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is astorehouse of timber like paduck, gurjan, Marble, satin whood, etc this islands has the second largest wharf of these islands –mainland ships can berth. The islands is near the haddo wharf, which is the largest wharf in the islands Chatham Islands Saw Mill.
ROSS ISLAND
Ross Island is one of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, about 2 km east Port Blair. It was the Administrative Headquarters for the islands, before an earthquake rocked it in 1941. The headquarters were then shifted to Port Blair. There is also a cemetery and a small museum managed by the Indian navy. The museum has on display a collection of reached by a short boat ride from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair. The island is controlled by the Indian Navy, which requires every visitors to sing in on entering. The small island with its treasure of ruins in it became the hot tourists spot in the territory.
People desire to know more and more about Ross Island. This Island, the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island presently house the ruins of old building like the state Ballroom, the Chief Commissioner’s House, the Government House, Church, the old Andaman’s Home’, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming pool and Troop Bar racks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime. Ever since Dr.James Pattison Walker arrived in Port Blair aboard the East India Company’s steam frigate ‘semiramis’ on 10 March 1858, this island remained under British occupation till 1942. From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the occupation of Japan. However, the allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it. During British occupation, this island was the seat of power of the British.
In November 1857, the Government decided to establish a penal settlement in Andaman and send “hard-core elements” among those who took on the British. There were two reasons: One, to keep them away from other prisoners and the other, to send out a message that a similar treatment would be meted out to anyone who challenged the British authority. Two months later, the British took possession of three islands in and around Port Blair and Captain H.Man, Executive Engineer, hoisted the Union Jack flag. In March, 1858, Dr. J.P. Walker, an experienced jail superintendent, arrived in Port Blair with four European officials, 50 naval guards and 200 freedom fighters. It was water scarcity that had driven Walker out of Port Blair and go to Ross Island. Named after the marine surveyor Sir Daniel Ross, the Island soon became the base. Initially, crude barracks of bamboo and grass were put up for freedom fighters while the rest of the party stayed on board the ships that had brought them. Later, the freedom fighters built houses, offices, barracks and other structures at the Ross Island, after which they were promptly sent top Viper Island, where the first jail was built.
The bungalow, meant for the chief of the penal settlement was constructed at the northern summit of the Island. Called Government House, the large-gabled home had Italian tiled flooring on the ground level. Now, some remains of the flooring are there, of course in a decrepit condition. In 1872, the post of superintendent was elevated to the level of Chief Commissioner and Sir Donald Martin Stewart, who was at Ross Island for one year, was made the first Chief Commissioner. Stewart held the post from July 1872 to June 1875. After Stewart, Ross Island saw 24 chief commissioners. But it was during the tenure of Sir Charles Francis Waterfall that the Island’s position as the seat of power collapsed. Waterfall, who became the chief Commissioner in 1938, was captured by the Japanese in March 1942 when the latter invaded the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during World War II. He was held as a prisoner of war and his deputy, Major Bird, was beheaded by the Japanese at a clock tower in Aberdeen, Port Blair. The Government house became the residence of the Japanese admiral also for three years. It was during this period that Netaji subhas Chandra Bose, who took the help of Japanese in his fight against the British. Stayed at the Island for a day in December 1943. Netaji also hoisted the national tri-color at the top of the Government house. The Japanese too left their imprint on the island which stood in the form of bunkers. The bunkers were used as watch points to safeguard the Island from any foreign invasion. After the war, the Island came back under the control of the British but they never went back to the Island. 1941 Earthquake: About nine months before the Japanese take-over of the entire set of islands, Ross Island experienced an earthquake, which caused many people to leave the Island. Except for a brief time when the Japanese occupied, the abandonment of Ross Island as a result of the quake continued. Indian navel post: In April 1979, the island was handed over to the Navy, which set up a small post, INS Jarawas, named after one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman group of islands. In December 1993, a museum was established. It was declared open by the then Lt. Governor Vakkom Purushothaman. A small guesthouse has been put up for the Navy officers. The authorities charge entry fee of Rs. 20 for adults. No entry fee for children up to nine. The island with historical back ground and perceivable ruins is spread along an area of 0.6 sq.kms. With the ruins and also with the historical back ground, the island has gained lot popularity among the tourists. Ross Island is open for the tourists to visit during day time except Wednesday. Boat services are available from the Aberdeen Jetty at 08:30am, 10:30am and 12:30pm to 02:30pm. The A & N Admn. In setting up a Sound & Light show at Ross Islands to rescreate its histrial past.
VIPER ISLAND
The tiny, serene, beautiful island of Viper is situated inside the Port Blair harbor. The island derives its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1789 with purpose of establishing a penal settlement. The vessel it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was abandoned near the island. Viper Island witnessed the untold sufferings the freedom fighters had to undergo. Dangerous convicts found guilty of violating the rules of the penal settlement were put in fetters and were forced to work with their fetters on this islands. Freedom fighters like Nonigopal gand nandlal, who had resorted to hunger strike at the cellular jail, were imprisoned at Viper Island. Sher Ali the Pathan guilty of murdering lord mayo was condemnad to death and hanged in gallows at the Viper Island. Now the ruins of jail at Viper on the island. The jail at Viper where prisoners deported from the mainland were confined was built by the British under the supervision of Major Fort Work on the prison was started in 1867. Wing to the working conditions the jail earned the notorious name Viper chain gang jail.
CELLULAR JAIL
Cellular Jail was constructed under the British rule, in the year 1906, as a prison for the Indian’s freedom struggle. During that time, it was also know as Kala Pani , meaning ‘Black Water’, the term that is used for deep sea and implies exile. The jail is situated in Port Blair, the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Though the construction work of prison was started only in the year 1896, the British had stated using Andaman & Nicobar Islands as prison as early as 1857. The islands were believed to be the perfect place to serve as the prison venue, since they were isolated from the mainland and severed the links of the prisoners with their family and their country completely. At the same time, the prisoners could be used in chain gangs to construct prisons facilities. By the late nineteenth century, the population of prisoners started increasing at a fast pace. It was then that the need for a high-security prison was felt by the British and the foundation of the Cellular Jail was laid in Port Blair. Initially, the Cellular Jail was a puce-colored bricks building, for which the bricks were brought from Burma. There were seven wings , with a central tower serving as the fulcrum. Guards used this tower for keeping a watch over the wing of the prison had three stories, with the total number of cells being 698. Each cell was 4.5 m x 2.7 m in size and there was a ventilator in each cell, situated at a height of 3 m. the cells were built in such a way so as to prevent any interaction between the inmates. This solitary formation of the cells led to the naming of the prison as the ‘Cellular Jail’. There were no dormitories in the prison. Most of the prisoners that were deported to the jail were independence activists. The political prisoners of Cellular Jail were repatriated to the mainland in 193738. The Andaman Islands came under invasion by the Empire of Japan in the year 1942, in which the British lost. The jail, which earlier housed prisoners of the British, now became a penitentiary for the British officers and soldiers. Later, Indian Independence League members were also imprisoned here, tortured and then, killed. Under the Japanese regime, two of the wings of the Cellular jail were demolished. After the end of World War 11, the British reoccupied the islands in 1945. When India attained independence, two more wings of the jail were pulled down. After protests by the former prisoners and political leaders, the demolition was stopped and the remaining three wings and central tower were converted into a National Memorial The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving son-et Museum and an Art Gallery which is open on all days except Monday Museum timing 9.00 am to 12.00 Noon and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Son-et-Lumiere- Research-and Basic Script- Late Dr. Melville De Mellow, Show Script – Neelabh, Music – Louis Banks, Lead Singer – Vinay Mandka, Lighting Designing – Dr. Nissar Allana, Voices – Late Manohar Singh, Om Puri, Nasseerudin Shah, Jalal Agha, Deepak Mathan, Tom Alter, K.K. Raina, Vijay Kashyap.
NEW S&L SHOW The Tourism Dept. has spruced up the S & L show with new recording and effects with effects
TOURIST ISLANDS
HAVELOCK ISLAND
(50 km by sea from Port Blair) Located near Neil Island, Havelock is endowed with bewitching sandy beaches, lush green forest and coral gardens. Radhanagar beach (12km from the jetty) on the western side is one of the most sought after tourist destinations, having been rated as one of the best in Asia by Times Magazine. Fringed with green canopy of rain forest, it beckons everyone to the azure sea. It’s a perfect place to unwind, where the recuspering waves and the twittering crickets are the only disturbance. Vijay Nagar beach (4 km away from the jetty) on the eastern side and Elephanta beach (10 km from the jetty, including trekking through the forest) on the north – western part of the island are other beautiful spots. Scuba diving, snorkeling and trekking are important activities here. Havelock is connected by daily speedboat services from Port Blair. Dolphin Resort, Wild Orchid Silversand Resort and Jungle Resort provide comfortable accommodation at Havelock. Snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are provided by dive operators based at Havelock.
NEIL ISLAND
This is a beautiful tiny island with lush green forests and sandy beaches, aptly called the vegetable bowl of Andaman’s. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday for eco-friendly tourists. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Laxamanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and natural bridge formations on the seashore are attractions. Corals and marine life are found abundantly in the sea around the island, offering excellent scope for scuba diving and snorkeling.
NORTH ANDAMAN ISLAND
Located about 242 km north of Port Blair, North Andaman Island is famous for mud volcano, caves and the highest peck in the islands. Diglipur, about 80 km north of Mayabunder, is the main town. The Aerial bay jetty is 10 km north east of Diglipur. Saddle peak, the highest peak in Andaman’s, lies 20 km northeast of Diglipur. The entire peak is covered in rich evergreen forest, which is declared as a national park. Adventurous nature lovers can explore the lovely dark and deep forests while trekking to the peak. The rare phenomenon of a mud volcano can be seen at Shyam Nagar, about 35 km north-west of Diglipur. The journey to the hillock having mud volcano involves trekking (for 40 minutes) from Hathilevel through villages and erupted in 2003, the debris was spread over 250 sq m on the top of the hillock. Mud volcanoes are vents in the earth which emits gas and mud.
This is a rare phenomenon and is found in only select places around the globe. In our country, Andaman’s is the only place where such Volcanoes are found. Kalighat 17 km south of Diglipur is famous for its mangrove –frilled creek. One can travel through the creeks to Mayabunder (in Middle Andaman) from here, enjoying the varying colors, the green beauty shadowing the calm waters and if fortunate watching crocodiles resting along the roots of mangroves. Ram Nagar, another of the white sandy beache, is 10 km east of Kalighat, which is a turtle nesting ground, too. For adventure seekers, there is trekking to the forest and villages. At pathilevel, explore the challis EK caves (which are also accessible by boat from Mayabunder in Middle Andaman Island).
At Ross & Smith Islands, witness a sand bar that connects two islands coming up from the sea to be sunk after few hours. The best part about the sand bar connecting Ross & Smith Islands (15 minutes boat journey from Aerial bay jety near Diglipur) is that it is surrounded by coral reefs. Shallow beaches are suitable for swimming and snorkeling, they are also ideal for turtle – nesting.
BARATANG ISLAND
About 100 km north (by road) from Port Blair, Baratang is located between south Andaman and Middle Andaman Islands. It is blessed with limestone caves, mud volcano, mangrove frilled creeks and beautiful sandy beaches. Nilambur is the main town.
While here, head for the Baludera beach. The lime stone caves, full of splendid stalagmites, stalactites and pillar rocks, can be accessed by a 40-minute boat ride through the creeks from the Nilambur Jetty. And about 15-minute trek further through village and forest. It gives an immense sense of adventure to the tourist.
The Mud volcanoes are at a distance of 6 km from the Nilambur jetty and can be visited by road. The Baludera beach, situated at a distance of 9 km from Nilambur, is a safe bay on the eastern side of Baratang Island. The beach has eco –friendly huts and tree top huts. One can also ride elephants.
OTHERS ISLANDS / TOURIST SPOTS
North passage Island (70 km by sea from Port Blair), Rangat (170 km by Road 90 km by sea from Port Blair) , Diglipur (325 km by Road from Port Blair) , Mayabunder (242 km by Road from Port Blair), Little Andaman (120 km by sea from Port Blair ).
BEACHES IN ANDAMAN
CORBYN’S CAVE
The coconut palm fringed beach ideal for sun-bathing is 6 km away from Port Blair. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and changing rooms are available near the beach. Historical remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen here.
COLLINPUR BEACH
(40 km by road from Port Blair) situated near Tirur (on the western side of the south Andaman Islands) has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow water. Suitable for swimming, sun bathing and Sunset Bay. Kurmadera Beach (40 km by road from Port Blair) situated near Collinpur, is crescent shaped, its white flats with shallow water suitable for swimming, sun bathing and coral viewing. A perfect place for an enchanting sunset.
CHIDIYA TAPU
Chidiya Tapu is one of the most famous picnic spots of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The spot is located in the southern tip of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The site is known for its lush green mangroves, scenic beauty and an enchanting forest cover. Therefore, tourist from the different parts of the world flock together to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of islands.
RADHA NAGAR BEACH
Radha Nagar Beach lies on the south coast of Havelock island. It is about 12 km from the island’s ferry pier. Radha nagar is a Grade A beach of outstanding quality. This from the islands beach is also rated as the best beach in Asia by TIME Magazine. It has an overall length width of 30 to 40 meters. The sand is white coral, very fine in grain,. The beach has a gentle gradient of around 1:20 and continues out into the sea as a sandy bottom for over 100 mtr.. south facing the beach has excellent exposure and is not subject to shading which could reduce its attraction for sunbathing. The rocky outcrops seen at the end of the beach provide some variety to the littoral. The quality of water at Radha Nagar beach is exceptionally calm and clear. There is very little wave action and consequently almost no turbidly in the water even along the surf line.
OTHER BEACHES
Vijay Nagar, Elephant Beach (Hathi Tapu), Karmatang and Rampur (Middle Andaman) Ross and Smith (North Andaman), Armkunj (Middle Andaman) , Cinque Island (South Andaman ) , Butler beach (Little Andaman ) , North Bay Beach (South Andaman ) etc…
MUSEUM
SAMUDRIKA MARIEN MUSEUM
The Samudrika Marine Museum is a treasure trove of items that offer imperative information to tourists regarding history and geography of the Andaman Islands. The museum is under the administration of Indian Navy.
There is lot of attractive item inside the Navel Marine Museum More than 350 diverse varieties of ocean resources are displayed here. The most important on display are crocodiles, sharks, dolphins, prawns crabs beside wonderful collection of corals, shells and other momentous specimens of the marine life characteristic of these islands.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM
This museum near the Directorate of Tourism depicts the life of the Paleolithic islanders. It also houses the models of the aborigines and their tools. Closed on Mondays and holidays.
ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA MUSEUM
Situated near to Andaman Teal House this Museum and Research library exhibit a good variety of sponges, corals butterflies, centipedes etc. open on all working days.
FOREST MUSEUM
Situated at Chatham this museum offers insight into forest activities through scale models and displays decorative pieces made of famous woods like padauk, marble peauma, gurjan, satin wood, etc, open on all working days.
FISHERIES MUSEUM
Situated near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex it exhibits species of marine life peculiar to the islands and found in the indopacific ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Closed on Mondays and holidays.
PARK IN PORT BLAIR
MARINA PARK
This park right on the sea shore near at Water Sports Complex has children’s traffic park suitable for spending the evening. It is a busy & hung and place of local people and tourist.
GANDHI PARK
A beautiful park near Raj Niwas it was safe water sports and nature trail around the lake garden and historic remains of a Japanese Temple as well as a bunke
JOGGERS PARK
Unique Park situated near Police Line Hill Top. The place offers excellent view of Port Blair. Airport and adjoin islands sunset and sunrise time are busy with health conscious locals and tourists
CITY SIGHT SEEING
Andaman and Nicobar city sight seeing is integral to tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A mesmerizing sea, continuous beaches, ethereal ambiance and a serene tranquility makes Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
MOUNT HARRIET: Mount Harriet was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner. Mount Harriet is an excellent spot to overview the exotic scenery of the outer islands and sea in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Tourists can get a bird’s eye view of the Islands. A trek up to madhuban allows the tourists to get a glimpse of the endemic birds, butterflies and animals.
MADHUBAN: 75km by road / 20km by ferry and trek road from Port Blair. It is north east of south Andaman One can visit Madhuban from Mount Harriet by trekking throught the jungle, appointmently covering 16 km. exotic endemic Birds, Animals, Butterflies are interesting sights of trek.
SIPPIGHAT AGRICULTURAL FARM: Covering over an area of 80 acres and located at 14 km west of Port Blair is a Government farm for cultivation of spices like cloves nutmeg , coconut and pepper etc.
MINI ZOO: Mini Zoo is situated at Haddo. It houses some of the endemic birds and animals of these islands. Timing: 08.00 am to 05.00 pm Monday closed.
SCIENCE CENTRE: Situated 5 km from Port Blair town, the Science Centre has an Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery with inter active exhibits depicting genesis of the islands, volcanic activities, science of oceans, fun science gallery modern technology gallery, Taramandal open air science park and an in house butterfly corner then offer a kaleidoscope science spectrum. Open all days 10.00 am to 05.30 pm except Monday & public Holidays.
ADVENTURE TOURISM
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are bestowed with the reputation of housing some of the most delectable and gorgeous islands. Thus it constitutes one of the major temptations for the anxious holiday-makers. Basically, water sports and related activities are most enjoyed by the adrenaline freaks who prefer to take risks. But there are other water sports as well which are suited for the ones who are not so much adventurous.
The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is a spot which remains filled with people who like to try their hands at the adventure sports and activities in Andaman and Nicobar islands. There are options like water skilling, Aqua cycles, speed boating, Gemini boating, kayaking and many more.
SCUBA DIVING: Andaman Waters offer a fascinating world of underwater marine life, varieties of colorful fishes, rarest of the coral reefs in the world, mysterious remains of sunken ships, etc. all these can be explored through scuba diving. The Directorate of Tourism have registered Dive Centers Which follows and regulations.
SNORKELING: One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view varieties of corals by snorkeling near North Bay, Jolly Bouy, and Red Skin Island etc.
TREKKING: One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt.Harriet to Madhuban and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also.
ISLAND CAMPING: Island camps are just the right choice for the nature lovers, who wish to enjoy sun, sea and pristine beauty of nature by spending quiet holiday’s right on the beach. Camping facility are there at Radha Nagar beach Havelock.
WILD LIFE IN ANDAMAN
Cassis cornuta (Helmet Shell or King Shell): The Helmet Shells are solid with large body whorls and short spires, usually with blunt knobs. The animals live in sandy areas in the tropics and deep water. They prey on sea urchins and other echinoids. The males tend to be smaller than the females with a slightly less expanded shield.
Charonia tritonis (Triton’s trumpets): It is one of the world’s larger gastropods (the name implies that an animal of this class crawls on its stomach). They live in sandy and rocky areas in deep and shallow waters in the tropics worldwide. They are carnivorous, living on echinoderms and mollusks. They have a long free swimming stage, after they are hatched and before developing into the final form.
Nautilus pompilius: Nautilus is the sole survivor of an extensive group of varied forms, which have became extinct. It has a calcareous chambered shell. The chambers are animal grows, fresh chambers are secreted and the old ones are separated by partitions. The soft body having numerous slanders tentacles in places of arms occupies the outermost chamber in the spiral.
Birgus latro (Robber Crab): It is the world’s largest land crab and is found in plenty in south sentinel and Great Nicobar Island. There is a popular belief that this crab can easily pluck the coconut from the tree, peel off the husk and break open its shell.
Phelsuma andamanensis (Andaman Islands day gecko): It is native to the Andaman Islands. They are diurnal (active during the day) and have a clear plate covering their eyes and do not have eyelids. Day geckos are capable of climbing up glass walls and across ceilings, making them great escape artist. In the wild day geckos feed on invertebrates, nectar and pollen.
Laticauda laticauda (Andaman blind sea snake – an amphibious sea Snake): The Amphibious Sea Snake like other sea Kraits spends its time mainly it frequently comes ashore to lay their egg to land. The attractive silver and black banding covers the entire body from the neck area to ally compressed and rubber-like, making the snake an efficient underwater swimmer. They are venomous which are ten times as strong as rattlesnake venom. The venom is composed of powerful neurotoxins (affect nervous system).
Lepidochelys olivacae (Olive ridley turtle): This is a small marine turtle measuring less than 1.0 metre in length and weighing upto 60kg. The head is large and triangular. Carapace is olive-grey in colour. The turtle occurs in coastal water as well as in open sea. Although the species is widely distributed in tropical seas around the world, due to excessive killing of adult and collection of eggs, it is being rarely encountered in these islands.
Macaca fascicular is umbrosa (Crab eating money): This is a small marine turtle measuring less than 1.0 meter in length and weighing up to 60kg. The head is large and triangular. Carapace is olive-grey in color. The turtle occurs in coastal waters as well as in open sea. Although the species is widely distributed in tropical seas around the adult and collection of eggs, it is being rarely encountered in these islands.
Dugong: Popularly known as sea cow, the dugong once enjoyed a wide distribution in the indo-pacific region. It is a seal-like marine mammal, bluish-grey in color and grows to a length of 2.3 m. it is sluggish and herbivorous, feeding on marine grasses and algae. The cow gives birth to only one calf at a time. It was largely hunted for its delicious meat, fat oil and skin. With the result, its population has completely disappeared from many places, making it the most threatened marine mammal in the Indian Ocean. It is rarely encountered in the dugong is no decidedly a diminishing species deserving prompt protection.
Passer domestic us Linnaeus (House Sparrow): It is undoubtedly our most familiar bird, which was introduced at Ross Island during the second half of the 19th century. Male with grey crown, black lores and around eye. Female ashy grey-brown above streaked with blackish and rufous. Omnivorous, eats grains, insects. Fruit buds, flower nectar and kitchen scraps.
Rhyticeros norcondami (Narcondam hornbill): This is a medium-sized, black-bodied and white-tailed resident bird, endemic to the volcanic Narcondam Island. It is quite noisy and fearless of man. The bird moves in small groups and perches on tall trees. It feeds on wild figs of the jungle. Because it’s restricted distribution to this tiny island, its present status is considered as quite vulnerable. It is no doubt a rare bird requiring effective protection.
Megapodius freycinet (Megapode): This is a fowl like bird confined to the dense forests along seashores of Nicobar Islands. It is dull in color, with long legs and toes. Both the sexes are alike. The megapode is omnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, snails, seeds, tubers etc. the bird incubates its eggs in a huge earthen mound of vegetable matter. The decomposing leaves of the mound release the heat necessary for the incubation of eggs. As this bird is not a good flier, it is easily caught and killed. Over-exploitation for flesh and eggs has reduced the species to an endangered position. Needs effective protection and conservation.
Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus) Indian Myna: It was introduced by col. Tytler at Ross Island in 1867. It is very common and abundant throughout south Andaman in cultivations and in the neighborhood of homesteads, villages and town. A confirmed associate of man, following wherever he opens up new habitations. Omnivorous. Eats fruits, insects, kitchen scraps. Follows the plough for earthworms, etc., and attends on grazing cattle for the grasshoppers.
Francolinus pondicerianus Gmelin (Grey Partridge): This bird was introduced in Port Blair in 1890. It popularly known as ‘Safed Teeter’. A plump, stub-tailed grayish bown game bird with chestnut blotching above and fine wavy black and buff vermiculations, and chestnut tail. Throat rufous-buff circumscribed by a broken blackish line. Sexes alike. Avoids heavy forest and humid tracts.
TIMBER: Andaman Forest is abound in plethora of timber species numbering 200 or more, out of which about 30 varieties are considered to be commercial. Major commercial timber species are Gurjan (Dipterocarpus spp.) and Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbegioides). Ornamental wood such as (1) Marble wood (Diospyros marmorata) (2) Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides) , (3) Silver Grey (a special formation of wood in white chuglam) (4) Chooi (sageraea elliptical and (5) Kokko (Albizzia lebbeck ) are noted for their pronounced grain formation. Padauk being steadier than teak is widely used for furniture making. Burr and the buttress formation in Andaman Padauk are World famous for their exceptionally unique charm and figuring. Largest piece of buttress known from Andaman was dining table of 13’x 7’. The largest piece of burr was again a dining table to seat eight persons at a time. The holy Rudraksha (Elaeocarps sphaericu) and aromatic Dhoop/Resin trees also occur here.
FAUNA: This tropical rain forest despite its isolation from adjacent land masses is surprisingly enriched with many animals.
MAMMALS: About 50 varieties forest mammals are found to occur in A&N Islands, most of them are understood to be brought in from outside and are now considered endemic due to their prolonged insular adaptation. Rat is the largest group having 26 species followed by 14 species of bat. Among the larger mammals there are two endemic varieties of wild pig namely Sus Scrofa Andamanesis from Andaman and S.S. Nicobaricus from Nicobar. The spotted deer Axis axis, barking deer and sambar are found in Andaman District. Interview Island in Middle Andaman holds a fairly good stock of feral elephants. These elephants were brought in for forest work by a private contractor who subsequently left them loose.
Butterflies and Moths: with about 225 species, the A&N island house some of the larger and most spectacular butterflies of the world. Ten species are endemic to these islands. Mount Harriet National park is one of the richest areas of butterfly and moth diversity on these islands.
Shells are perhaps the most colorful and fascinating objects known to man other then gems since time immemorial. They served as money, ornaments, and musical instruments, drinking cups, in magic and in the making of fine porcelains. Then were also the symbols in ritual and religious observances, and the returning pilgrims wore them as a token of divine pardon. These islands are traditionally known for their shell wealth specially turbo.trochus, murex and nautilus. Earliest recorded commercial exploitation began during 1929. Shells are important to these islands because some like Turbo; Trochus & Nautilus etc. are being used as novelties producing a wide range of decorative items & ornaments. Shells such as Giant clam, Green mussel and Oyster support edible shellfishery; a few like Scallop, Clam and Cockle are burnt in kiln to produce edible lime. The Univalve or one shell group belongs to the class Gastropoda having more than 80,000 species. Sacred Chank belongs to this group. Their body, in the course of development, go through a complicated process, ‘torsion’ i.e. the visceral mass is twisted through 90 degree together with the shell that covers it. Under mysterious circumstances many time this process proceeds in the reverse direction thus creating an abnormal shell which otherwise lives like a normal shell. A classic example is the most wanted left handed chank. The bivalve or pelecypoda has about 20,000 living species. Majority of then burrows in sand or mud such as Pearl Oyster, Wing oyster, Giant clam etc. A third group, which is comparatively smaller, is called Cephalopoda, which includes Octopus, Squid, and Nautilus etc. The soft body animal, which lives inside the shell, is covered with a thick layer of specialized epithelium cells known as rnantle, which in turn secretes a two tier shell material making the shell. The outer layer having a different color pattern is organic in constitution, technically called ‘periostracum’. Calcium ions from the environment are absorbed into the blood and deposited evenly under this layer. The next inner layer is called ‘nacre’ or ‘mother of pearl’ responsible for the pearly listre common to many shells.
CORALS: Corals belong to a large group of animals known as Coelenterata (stinging animals) or Cnidaria (thread animals). Corals grow slow, they have type wise site specific growth rates. The massive forms may grow upto 2 cm. in diameter and upto 1 cm in height a year, breed together once in a year at a pre- determined time after dusk. This process, at places is so intense that the water stays pinkish till next morning. A large number of body corals are released in the open ocean this way. After sometime these baby corals settle over a suitable substratum and start forming new colonies through asexual reproduction. Their morphological features change with the environment in which they settle. Due to this peculiar character they are often called ‘Plastic animals’. Stony corals be broadly divided into reef builders and non-reef builders, the reef builders are called hermatypic whereas others are known as a hermatypic corals. The reef builders possess hard calcareous skeleton and need sunlight like plants to survive. On the other hand, the non reef builders are devoid of a true stony framework. A few among them are capable of making protein based solidified skeleton.
FISHES: Each life form in the sea is confined to its own particular zone, where pressure, light, temperature and salinity are more or less constant. In this stable environment some creatures have remained unchanged throughout their entire history. The now famous Coelacanth, one of the groups of fishes thought to have been extinct for 60 million years, has remained essentially like its relatives as they appear in fossils. Fishes are the masters of water world. For more than 360 million years they have inhabited it. Today we have about 40,000 varieties of fishes known to science. They range in size from 10 mm (Philippine Gobie) to 21m. others inflated, many spindle are compressed depending on the environment in which they live or particular way of life.
MARINE AQUARIUM: Marine fish and animals keeping still has a certain mystique attached to it. This is one of the most complicated aspects of live stock management. The animal husbandry involved in it mainly nurtured through water chemistry and microbiology. The tropical coral reef inhabitants are generally maintained in glass boxes known to us marine aquariums. These animals turn ‘fragile’ under captive atmosphere because the nature system to which they belong is so heterogeneous, complex and dynamic with every tide bringing in a different condition that is so difficult to create artificially. However, since may 1853 when the first tropical marine aquarium was made public in London, much has been understood and we are now able to practice a system where these animals are acclimatized and taught to be happy in their new environs.
VICTORY TOWER (Clock Tower in Aberdeen Bazaar)
A Clock tower known as a victory tower in the heart of the Port Blair town Aberdeen bazaar it was build in the memory of brave Indian soldiers who died in First World War – 1914-1918 (Germany) from Andaman.
HOMFRAYGUNJ BALIDAN VEDI
30 jan. 1944 The 44 unfortunate victims were selected for death sentence- list of the victims Abdul Jalil, Bachan Singh, Basanta Singh, Basant Lall, Daleeb Singh, Fazal Bag anant Lall, Balwant Singh, Bakshish Singh, Dalpat Ram, Farzant Ali, Fazal Hussain, Gulam Sarwar, Gyansingh, Hira Singh, H.H. Rahackar, Jai Ram Tewari, Karnail Singh Mohar Singh, Mahima Singh Noor Hussain Mallick, Noormani Pokher Singh, Pratap Nath Nag, Rathan Singh, Satyen Dass, Sher Singh, Gajjan Singh, Gopal singh, Harnam Singh, Jaswant Singh, Kaur Singh, Lakshman Dass sankaw Malkhan, Noor Ahmed Prem Shanker, Raj Ratamdass, Saheb Singh and Uttam Singh.
The above the person have fought terrorist and sacrificed their life for the nation.