Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, one of India’s seven union territories, are a group of islands in the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
The enclave is 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Aceh, Indonesia, separated from Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) by the Andaman Sea. It is made up of two island groups: the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 10°N parallel, with the Andamans to the north and the Nicobars to the south. The Andaman Sea is to the east, and the Bay of Bengal is to the west.
The territory’s capital is the city of Port Blair. The total land area of these islands is approximately 8,249 km2 (3,185 square miles). The Nicobar Islands’ capital is Car Nicobar. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Indian Armed Forces’ only tri-service geographical command, is headquartered on these islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been inhabited for at least several thousand years. The earliest archaeological evidence is from 2,200 years ago; however, genetic, cultural, and linguistic isolation studies show that settlement extends back 30,000 – 60,000 years, well into the Middle Palaeolithic. For the most of this time, the various Andamanese people resided separately on the Andaman Islands, forming unique linguistic, cultural, and territorial divisions. The indigenous people of the Andamans were: the Great Andamanese, who constituted at least eleven unique subgroups and languages; the Jarawa: the jungle (or Rutland Jarawa); the Onge; and the Sentinelese. The indigenous peoples of the Nicobar Islands (unrelated to the Andamanese) have had a similarly remote and long relationship with the islands. There are two main groups: the Nicobarese, or Nicobari, who reside on many of the islands, and the Shompen, who are limited to the interior of Great Nicobar.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a tropical rainforest canopy with a mix of vegetation from India, Myanmar, Malaysia, and unique strains. So far, over 2,200 plant kinds have been identified, of which 200 are indigenous and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India.
The South Andaman woodlands are rich in epiphytic vegetation, including ferns and orchids. The Middle Andamans have predominantly damp deciduous woods. The North Andamans are known for its damp evergreen vegetation, which includes many woody climbers. The North Nicobar Islands (including Car Nicobar and Battimalv) are devoid of evergreen forests, although these forests dominate the vegetation of the Nicobar group’s middle and southern islands. Grasslands are exclusively found in the Nicobars, and while deciduous forests are plentiful in the Andamans, they are nearly nonexistent in the Nicobars.
Port Blair serves as the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is located on the eastern shore of South Andaman Island. Port Blair is the gateway to the lovely islands.
Port Blair is also an island settlement that provides water-related activities like as snorkeling, scuba diving, sea cruises, and tours of the area’s history and culture. The Aberdeen Bazaar is the town’s main point. The majority of restaurants and motels are located in this neighborhood. The main bus station is somewhat west of the bazaar, while the airport is 4 kilometers to the south west. The Phoenix Bay Jetty, the main passenger pier for ferries, is one kilometer to the northwest.
Havelock is a breathtaking natural paradise, complete with white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and lush green woods. It is one of the most populous islands in the Andaman group, covering 113 square kilometers and situated 39 kilometers northeast of Port Blair.
This island, with its magnificent sandy beaches and lush canopy of rain-fed trees, welcomes everyone to have fun in the turquoise ocean.
Neil is a small yet lovely island located 37 kilometers south of the Andaman Islands. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Andamans, thanks to its pristine coral reefs, diverse wildlife, white sandy beaches, and lush tropical forest and vegetation.
Neil Island is recognized as the Andamans’ “vegetable bowl.” The immigrants named the beaches after mythical characters from the epic Ramayana, including Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, and Ramnagar. The island’s relaxed atmosphere and huge, uninhabited beaches make it ideal for unwinding after the “bustle” of Havelock. The island’s widest point is approximately 5 kilometers in length. You can walk around the entire island in about two hours.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are becoming a popular tourist destination, with exotic-looking beaches and gorgeous islands with equally exotic names, as well as excellent opportunities for adventure sports such as snorkeling and sea-walking.
Cellular Jail houses a statue of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The main attractions in Port Blair include the Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman Water Sports Complex, Chatham Saw Mill, Mini Zoo, Corbyn’s Cove, Chidiya Tapu, Wandoor Beach, Forest Museum, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Museum, Naval Museum (Samudrika), Ross Island, and Viper Island. Other sites to visit are Havelock Island, which is famed for Radhanagar Beach, Neil Island, which is known for scuba diving and snorkeling, Cinque Island, Saddle Peak, Mt Harriet, and Mud Volcano. The southern group (Nicobar islands) is largely inaccessible to tourists.
Indian tourists do not need a permit to visit the Andaman Islands; however, if they want to visit any tribal areas, they must obtain a special permit from the Deputy Commissioner in Port Blair. Foreign nationals are required to have permits. Foreign nationals coming by air receive these upon arrival at Port Blair.
According to government estimates, the number of tourists increased to about 300,000 in 2012, from 130,000 in 2008-09. Radha Nagar beach was named Asia’s greatest beach in 2004.
Little Andaman Islands
BEST SURFING DESTINATION IN INDIA
Little Andaman Island, located south of the South Andaman Island, is 120 kilometers by sea from Port Blair. Hut Bay in Little Andaman serves as the entry and exit points and the island’s headquarters. Little Andaman Island has a great blend of white sandy beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, boating through the creeks, an exciting Elephant Safari, elephant lumbering, elephant calves training, surfing, and more. All of the tourist attractions are accessible via the road running north from the Hutbay Jetty. Little Andaman has an evergreen rain forest which paves way for a very rich biodiversity.
DIGLIPUR
Diglipur (325 Km, approx. 12 hrs by road from Port Blair): Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco-friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice, and marine life. Saddle Peak, the highest point in the islands, is nearby. Kalpong, the only river of Andaman, flows here. The sole hydroelectric project in the islands is situated along this river. Throughout Diglipur, one can experience the unspoiled charm of rural life.
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