Andaman & Nicobar Islands are known as the Emerald Islands; because of its exotic, luxurious, extravagant, scenario, people, fauna and flora, they were considered, throughout times, the emerald of the Bay of Bengal. The dense mist-made forests house five identified indigenous tribes. Fisherman still can be seen staring at the sea. Exotic animals can be seen on air, earth and water. Festivals and rituals are a constant of this happy island people. Inhabitants of both islands' groups are originary of India, Pakistan, Burma and Bangladesh, making the islands a rich cultural spot, much appreciated by social scientists. It's said each island houses a different people.
Tourists are frequent, but in small number, as a special permit is required to visit the islands, and Nicobar group is only accessible to Indian nationals under restricted conditions.
Due to its precious location, the territory has been part of the Far East Trade Route for centuries, and disputed among British, Indian, Japanese and Portuguese, being nowadays part of Indian Republic. The capital of this heaven-on-earth territory is Port Blair, famous old trade route port.
Andaman archipelago hosts one of the most beautiful and important marine wildlife parks in the world, the Mahatma Ghandi Marine National Park. The park, made-up of sea, creeks and about 15 different-sized islands covers an area of 285.5 Sq. Km. The park is ideal for practising water sports, with several holiday activities operators and agents offering their services at very low cost. Snorkelling and scuba diving are the most recommended activities, since the coral underwater gardens surrounding the islands, are of extreme beauty and biodiversity. Sharing these waters are also many species of fish, sponges and sharks. Hammerhead, Whitetip, Grey, Nurse and Leopard sharks are the main species populating this area. Enormous manta Rays present themselves, at times, shadowing the clear waters. Camping, trekking, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing are also sports, highly practised by tourists who visit the islands. Different kinds of boats are available for private rent ate throw-away prices. A roller-coaster and natural sea swimming pool, are a must for visiting children.
Nature lovers would be amazed with the variety of species in this peculiar ecosystem, with highlight for the turtle nesting sightseeing in Cutbert Bay & Karmatang Beach (Turtle Sanctuary). A mini zoo, in Delanipur houses most of the rare species of mamals, reptiles and birds that inhabit the emerald islands.
Islands of revisited interest are:
- Barren Island, known by its volcano, only one active in India;
- Ross and Viper Islands, known by its ancient British buildings such as the first jail, the governor's house, church, press or barracks;
- Little Andaman Island, known by its waterfall and never-ending palm plantations;
- Cinque Island, privileged place for snorkelling and scuba diving with clear waters with a visibility of up to 80 feet;
NICOBAR ISLANDS
These archipelago comprise 28 islands, most of which are not inhabited. Nicobar is known by its luxurious flora and fauna, being famous the Giant Robber Crab, long tail monkeys, nicobarese pigeons, giant leather back turtles and megapodes, a bird similar to a turkey that can be found in Great Nicobar Island. Due to protection and preservation policies, access for visitors is prohibited to foreigners and very restricted to Indian nationals.
Car Nicobar and Katchal are two islands with sandy beaches shaded by coconut-palms that would delight every traveller. In Great Nicobar, the biggest biosphere reserve of the archipelago hosts several protected species, both fauna and flora; close to the southern most territory tip of India, giant leather back turtles can be seen nesting in the end of the winter.
CULTURE
The freedom and peace between people with different religion, language and ethnic group made Andaman & Nicobar known as Mini India. Port Blair is described to be a peaceful, cosmopolitan city, and its inhabitants to be happy, chilled, welcoming hosts.
Island Tourism Festival is held between December and January by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration throughout most islands of both archipelagos. A festive look rises up in the area, where performers enchant the nights of eye-open dreamers. Contests and races entertain both inhabitants and tourists. In these months, popular festivals are also held in some islands: Subhash Mela (January in Havenock Island); Vivekanada Mela (January in Neil Island) and Block Mela (January/February at Diglipur).
The capital, Port Blair, hosts several museums strictly linked to the ancient history of the island occupation: National Memorial, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Museum, Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) and Forest Museum; and at throw-away cost, since the most you can pay for entrance is about half a dollar.
FUN FACTS
Photo by Cesare Naldi
- The elephant in the picture is Rajan and its mahout (elephant driver) Nazroo at Radha Nagar Beach in Havelock Island. Elephants have been brought longer that anyone can remember, to help the wood trade between islands.
Photo by OSF / D.Fleetham / Animals Animals
in
National Geographic, Earth Facts
- Andaman & Nicobar are home of the dugong, an endangered marine mammal, adopted as state animal. Dugong is also popularly know as the Sea Cow. Curiously enough this animal can only be found in Asia-Pacific, and, as most of fellow human inhabitants in this area, dugongs are vegetarians.
VISIONS
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
