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Andaman and Nicobar - Geography

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an Union Territory, are situated between 60 and 140 North Latitude and 920 and 940 East Longitude. The group of 572 islands/islets lies in the Bay of Bengal 193 km from Cape Negaris in Burma (Myanmar), 1,255 km from Calcutta and 1,190 km from Chennai. The Andamans have bio-geographic affinities with Myanmar, while the Nicobars are more closely related to Indonesia.

This comprises of two island groups - the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands - which separates the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean. These two groups are separated by the 10° N parallel, the Andamans lying to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. Two principal groups of islets are Ritchie's Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. There are 836 Islands/Islets/Rocky Outcrops in the territory, of which only some 38 are permanently inhabited.

The Islands are located in close proximity to Indonesia and Thailand. They are well connected with the rest of the world with the presence of 23 ports and an international airport in the capital city of Port Blair. The long coastline of 1,962 km provides huge opportunities for investments in marine-based industries, and cruise tourism which is currently at a nascent stage in India.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a total cropped area of over 16,500 ha, with major crops including coconut, paddy, banana and areca nut. The Islands provide opportunities for handicrafts industries due to high demand from the visiting tourists. The Islands also promote IT/ ITeS-based industries and offer various incentives under its dedicated sector policy. The Islands are home to 2,400 MSME units.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a major tourist attraction with several beaches that offer water sporting and adventure activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving. The coastal belt surrounding these Islands is the abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world.

The surrounding waters are studded in many directions with numerous small islets, many of them exceedingly pretty and picturesque in appearance, rising as they do like beautiful oases in the wild waste of ocean that lashes their rocky shores. All of them are clothed with the richest tropical vegetation, which, from the level of the lowest swamp to the summit of the highest hill, grows in that unrestrained profusion in which Nature indulges in such climates.

The entire group is surrounded in every direction by a natural fortress of coral reefs, which, extending for many miles, guards the approach to the islands, and in stormy weather, or in dark nights, renders it a matter of no little difficulty, and attended with considerable danger, to attempt to land upon them.

Port Blair is Capital town wherein all trades commerce, Administrative tourism activities are managed. The Port Blair not only acts, as gateway to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, apart from giving a visual delight with its nature, its unique contribution to the freedom struggle of the Country cannot be ignored.

The Nicobar Islands are situated to the south of Andamans, 121 km from Little Andaman Island. There are 36 inhabited islands, including 24 in the Andamans and 12 in the Nicobar District. It is the largest union territories in India consists an area of 8,248 sq km. The length and the width are about 260 km and 58 km respectively. The only active volcano of India is located in this islands.

The islands are like a pearl necklace in the sea and the extreme eastern point, Pygmallion point, now called the Indira point, is only 154 km away from Indonesis's Sumatra island. These islands received plenty of rainfall (about 320 cm) by both southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon. The climate is humid and tropical type but the continuous breeze blowing from the surrounding areas make it very pleasant. The temperature ranges between 39 degrees (maximum) and 23 degrees (minimum). Nearly 86% of the land in the islands is under forests and famous for flora and fauna. The most valuable timbers padauk and gurjan are found here.

Baratang Island (100 Kms. by road from Port Blair) between South and Middle Andaman has beautiful beaches, mangrove creeks, mud-volcanoes and limestone caves. Andaman Trunk Road to Rangat and Mayabunder goes through this island. Limestone cave can be explored with the permission of Forest Department at Baratang and proper local guidance.

Barren Island is the only active volcano in India. The volcano erupted once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years. This island is about three kilometers in diameter and has a big crater of the volcano, about half a kilometer away from the shore. The island can be visited by chartering boats and with the permission of Forest Department. Foreign nationals are restricted to be onboard the vessel only and landing ashore is not allowed.

Diglipur (325 Kms., 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 only Hydro-electric project of the islands is on this river. One can feel the innocent beauty of village life everywhere in Diglipur.

Great Nicobar is 540 kms by sea from Port Blair open for only Indian tourists. The Great Nicobar Island has an area of 400 Sqr. miles. The southernmost tip of India, 'Indira Point' is in Great Nicobar Island. Megapode, a rare bird, is found in Great Nicobar. Great and Little Nicobar have the Giant Robber Crab. Campbell bay is the head quarter of Great Nicobar Island. The only Bio-sphere Reserve in A & N Islands –the Great Nicobar Bio-sphere Reserve is close to Campbell Bay. Campbell bay is a part of Great Nicobar Island and is open for Indian tourists. Campbell Bay can be reached by Helicopter from Port Blair or by sea. Sailing from Port Blair to Campbell Bay would be available on an average once in ten days. There are two important road network which connect various villages in the island namely North-South Road and East-West Road. The southernmost tip of India, 'Indira Point' is also assessible. Tourism Department & APWD have guest houses here.

Great Andaman it may be observed that its western section is about forty-four miles in length, while its breadth may be computed at about an average of fourteen miles. In this part of the island is the magnificent harbour called Port Blair, which, being locked in by land, affords a secure refuge for ships. The surface of this spacious natural harbour is diversified by several small islands. Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago. It covers 103 870 hectares. The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve harbours a wide spectrum of ecosystems comprising tropical wet evergreen forests, mountain ranges reaching a height of 642 m (Mt. Thullier) above sea level, and coastal plains. The region is noted for its rich biodiversity. The Shompen Tribe, about 200 in number, live in the forests of the biosphere reserve particularly along the rivers and streams. They are hunters and food gatherers, dependent on forest and marine resources for sustenance. Another Tribe, Nicobarese, about 300 in number, used to live in settlements along the west coast. After the tsunami in 2004, which devastated their settlement on the western coast, they were relocated to Afra Bay in the North Coast and Campbell Bay. They survive on fish caught from the sea. The settlers and mainlanders, which number over 8,000, live along the southeast coast of the island, practising agriculture, horticulture and fishing. The Shompens move between the Core and Buffer Zones, while the settlers and Nicobarese live in settlements spread along the coast in the Transition zone. The Great Nicobar Island presents varied natural panorama and is clothed with virgin lush evergreen dense tropical forests extending fromsea coast to the top of hills. The forest wealth is by far the richest natural embodiment of the island and the great strength of this natural wealth lies in their utter immensity, density and vitality.

Little Andaman Island, located south of the South Andaman Island, is at a distance of 120 km. by sea from Port Blair. Hut Bay in Little Andaman is the entry and exit point and also the island headquarter. Little Andaman island offers a perfect mix of white sandy beaches bewitching Waterfalls, Boating through the Creeks, exciting Elephant Safari, Elephant lumbering, Elephant calves training, Surfing etc. All the places of tourist interest are approachable by the road, leading northwards from the Hutbay Jetty. Little Andaman has an evergreen rain forest which paves way for a very rich biodiversity. Little Andaman offers the best exposure, even if the season is quite short due to the monsoon which hits the sector from May to August. From November to February some southwest spots, accessible by sea, remain passable. Surfing is fast gaining in popularity in the island as an activity option with small resorts renting out surfboards and arranging for surf camps near Butler Bay beach whose waves make it the best surfing destination in India. Little Andaman has been covered as a prime surfing destination in India in " The Stormrider Surf Guide, Indonesia and the Indian Ocean". There is a private agency which runs a Surfing School at Little Andaman.

Long Island, just 47 nautical miles from Port Blair, having an area of about 18 sq.km., is a modern village with population of around 2000 having many plus points and facilities generally not available in other villages of Bay Islands. It has its own power-house, a well equipped Boat Building Yard, Senior Secondary School, bank, wireless facilities, hospital, Range Forest Office and even police outpost. Long Island is a dreamland settlement without any road network. Only four feet wide concrete footpath connects different parts of the ‘Panchayat’ area starting from the jetty. Casurina trees make pleasant avenue astride the footpath leading to Government School and to Police Outpost area. Islanders cover these footpath kilometers several times just to reach work place, school, Range Forest Office or temple.

Rangat is a 1070 sq. km. large island in Middle Andaman with pristine beaches, waterfalls, and interesting islands. This island is spread across 75 census villages and 14 gram panchayats. The population is primarily made up of people from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Fisheries and cultivation are the two primary occupations of people in this island.

Shaheed Dweep is a tiny but beautiful island located 37 Kms. to the south of the Andaman Islands. With unexplored coral reefs, brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation, it is one of the hot tourist spots in the Andamans. Shaheed Dweep is known as the ‘vegetable bowl’ of the Andamans. The settlers named the beaches after mythical characters of the epic Ramayana (Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar etc.) The island, with its very relaxed vibes and long, deserted beaches is a place to chill out after the "bustle" of Havelock. The widest part of the island is about 5 km in length. You can walk the whole island in about two hours.

Shaheed Dweep is a tiny but beautiful island located 37 Kms. to the south of the Andaman Islands. With unexplored coral reefs, brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation, it is one of the hot tourist spots in the Andamans. Shaheed Dweep is known as the ‘vegetable bowl’ of the Andamans. The settlers named the beaches after mythical characters of the epic Ramayana (Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar etc.) The island, with its very relaxed vibes and long, deserted beaches is a place to chill out after the "bustle" of Havelock. The widest part of the island is about 5 km in length. You can walk the whole island in about two hours.

Mangroves occupy 644 km2 in the Andaman Islands and 27 km2 in the Nicobar Islands. Of the 36 species of mangroves found in ANI, 7 species are found exclusively in ANI. Owing to their remoteness and non-settlement by human beings in many islands, virgin mangrove forests are also available. Mangrove forests are different in ANI since there are no perennial rivers in the islands and thus no delta-like structures. Mangroves are situated either as fringe on flat littoral zone or along creeks as a narrow belt between tropical rain forests and the sea. Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and biodiverse wetlands on earth.

ANI is fringed with one of the most spectacular and extensive reefs in the world. Andaman reefs consist of about 83% of coral diversity found anywhere in the world and is at par with the ‘Coral Triangle’ of Indonesia. ANI has the last pristine reefs in the Indian Ocean region and is one of the most important coral reef sites in the world.