Andaman & Nicobar

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

AREA : 8,249 SQ. KM
POPULATION : 356,152
CAPITAL : PORT BLAIR
LANGUAGES : HINDI, NICOBARESE, BENGALI, TAMIL, MALAYALAM, TELUGU

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory, are situated between 6° and 14° North Latitude and 92° and 94° 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 Kolkata and 1,190 km from Chennai. Two principal groups of islets are Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. The Nicobar Islands are situated to the south of Andaman’s, 121 km from Little Andaman Island. There are 38 inhabited islands, including 25 in the Andaman district and 13 in the Nicobar district. The original inhabitants of the islands lived in the forests on hunting and fishing. There are four Negrito tribes, viz., the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese in the Andaman group of islands, and two Mongoloid tribes, viz., Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar group of islands.

The modern history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands begins with the establishment of a settlement by East India Company in 1789. However, in 1796 this settlement was abandoned. Following the first war of Indian Independence in 1857, the British India Government founded the penal settlement in these islands in 1858, primarily known as Kalapani, for the deportation of freedom fighters from the mainland India, which continued till the Second World War. During the Second World War, the Japanese forces occupied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1942. Further, following the surrender of the Japanese forces in the Second World War, the British India Government reoccupied these islands in 1945 and continued their administration till the Independence of the country in 1947.

PLACES TO SEE

ISLANDS:

JOLLY BUOY: An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, it offers a breath taking underwater view of coral and marine life. It is an ideal place for snorkeling, sea bathing and basking on the sun kissed beach.

CINQUE ISLAND: The lure of underwater coral gardens and unspoiled beaches especially a sand bar joining two islands are irresistible. This is an ideal place for scuba diving, swimming, fishing and Camping.

RED SKIN ISLAND: Another Island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has a nice beach and offers spectacular view of corals and marine life.

HAVELOCK ISLAND: About 38 Kms. from Port Blair, this island provides idyllic resort in the lap of virgin beach and unpolluted environment. Camping facility is available near Radhanagar beach.

BARREN ISLAND: At a distance of about 135 Kms. from Port Blair is the land of volcano, Barren Island, the only active volcano in India. The Island, about 3 Kms. has a big crater of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about 1/2 Km. from the shore and is about 150 fathoms deep.

ROSS ISLAND: Once the seat of British power and capital of these Islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A small museum named ‘Smritika’ holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.

VIPER ISLAND: The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was constructed here which was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail. It has a gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.

CHATHAM ISLAND: It has a Saw Mill lying on the tiny island connected by a bridge over a stretch of sea-water. This Saw Mill is one of the biggest and oldest in Asia. The main mainland -Island harbour is also here. The other harbour is Haddo, which is nearby.

BEACHES :

CORBYN’S COVE TOURISM COMPLEX: One of the most picturesque sea-beaches, it is ideal for sea bathing and sun-basking. The Waves Restaurant, The Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House at a stone’s throw, provide a kaleidoscopic view of the blue water front.

RADHNAGAR BEACH: Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beach in Havelock are real exposures of unpolluted nature for an environment lover. Vijaynagar beach is just in front of Dolphin Yatri Niwas and Radhanagar beach is 7km away from Dolphin Yatri Niwas.

HARMINDER BAY BEACH: These beautiful beaches are situated at Hut Bay Island at a distance of 100kms from Port Blair and are connected by shipping services.

KARMATANG BEACH: Karmatang beach, at turtle nesting ground is being developed as tourist complex.

RAMNAGAR BEACH: A sandy beach situated at Diglipur Island. It is connected by two daily boat services from Mayabunder and from Port Blair twice a week.

IN AND AROUND PORT BLAIR:

MAHATMA GANDHI MARINE NATIONAL PARK: The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms. from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 Sq.Km. This Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, SCUBA diving and Snorkeling are a lifetime experience for anyone.

GANDHI PARK: This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, and nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water to Port Blair, and the area around it has been developed into Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days.

SIPPIGHAT FARM: Sprawling over an area of 80 acres is a Government farm. Research & Development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper are conducted here.

CHIDIYA TAPU: Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands and Munda pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site.

COLLINPUR: Situated near to Tirur, this place has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow water. This beach is suitable for swimming, sun basking and viewing sunset.

MADHUBAN: This place is a trekking area, north east of South Andaman. Exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.

MOUNT HARRIET: The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place is an ideal for a nice and fascinating over view of the outer islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andaman’s (365 metres high). One can trek upto Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies.

MONUMENTS & MUSEUMS:

CELLULAR JAIL: Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name, ‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. The Jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a National Memorial.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL: This three-storied prison, constructed by Britishers in 1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM: This museum at Phoenix Bay (Bus stand – Delanipur road) depicts the life of the Paleolithic Islanders. It also houses the models of the aborigines and their tools.

AQUARIUM: Situated near Andaman Water Sports Complex, it exhibits species of marine life peculiar to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal.

SAMUDRIKA: Situated opposite to Andaman Teal House, Delanipur this museum is meant to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. A good collection of shells, corals and a few species of colorful fishes found in these islands are on display.

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.

FOREST MUSEUM : Situated at Haddo (near to the Zoo), this museum offers an insight into forest activities through scale models and displays decorative pieces made of famous woods like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood, etc.