History and Geography
The Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is situated between 6°
and 14° North Latitude and 92° and 94° East Longitude. The islands located
north of 10° north latitude are known as Andaman Group of islands while islands
located south of 10° north latitude are called Nicobar Group of islands. The
climate of the islands can be defined as humid, tropical coastal climate. The islands
receive rainfall from both the south west and north east monsoons and maximum precipitation
is between May & December.
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.
Industry
There are 1833 registered MSMEs and Handicrafts Units as on 31 March 2007. Two units
are 100 per cent export oriented units in the line of Fish/Prawn processing activity.
Apart from this, there are shells and wood based handicraft units. SSI units are
engaged in the production of paints and varnishes, mini flour mills, soft drinks
and beverages, steel furniture and fixtures, readymade garments, steel gate grills
and structures. MSMEs handicraft units are also engaged in shell crafts, bakery
products, rice-milling, furniture-making, etc.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation in the Public
sector has spread its wings in the field of Tourism, Fisheries, Industries and Industrial
financing and functions as authorized agents for Alliance Air/Jet Airways/Air Deccan.
Transport
The Motor Transport Department of A & N Administration operates from 13 stations
in Northern and Southern group of islands. The department has a total number of
205 buses in operation mainly in rural area of A & N islands. Computerized ticketing
for ATR express service has been implemented w.e.f. 15th August, 2007 where advance
tickets can be obtained.
During the year 2007-08 a total of 135.88 lakh people travelled by the State Transport
Service buses and the Department have generated revenue of Rs. 1075.22 lakhs. It
is therefore evident that the Department has been making steady progress in not
only providing better public transport service but also has been increasing its
earnings.
Tourism
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an eco-friendly tourist's destination.
As a tourist paradise, these islands have something very special to offer like Cellular
Jail, Ross Island and Havelock Island.
The Andaman tropical evergreen rain forests, beautiful silver sandy beaches, serpentine
mangrove-lines creeks, marine life abounding in rare species of plants, animals,
corals, etc., provide a memorable experience to the tourists. There is tremendous
scope for enjoying nature in the beach resorts, water sports and adventure water
sports, adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, Nature trail, Scuba Diving,
etc.
Tourism Department runs guest houses in various parts of the Islands for comfortable
accommodation to tourists visiting these Islands. The important places of tourist
interest are Anthropological Museum. Marine Museum, Water Sports Complex, Gandhi
Park, North Bay, Viper Island, Ross Island, Chidiyatapu, (Bird watching), Red Skin
Island, Corbyn's cove Beach, Islands like Neil Island, Havelock Island, Cinque,
Little Andaman, Diglipur (Ross and Smith), etc.
As regards the connectivity, the islands are well connected to the mainland by air
and sea. Indian Airlines, Air Deccan, Jetlite operates to Port Blair from Kolkata
and Chennai. There are regular passenger ship service from Chennai, Kolkata and
Vishakhapatnam.
Wildlife
There are 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 9 National Parks and 1 Biosphere Reserve in these
Islands.
Mammals - Out of 55 terrestrial and 7 Marine mammal species reported
so far, 32 species are endemic.
Birds - As many as 246 species and sub species of birds are reported
to inhabit these Islands, and of these, 99 species and sub species are endemic.
Reptiles - There are 76 terrestrial reptiles of these 24 species
are endemic.
Marine Life - Islands harbour more than 1,200 species of fish,
350 species of echinoderms, 1,000 species of molluscs and many more lower forms
of life. Among vertebrates dugongs, dolphins, whales, salt water crocodiles, sea
turtles, sea snakes, etc., are common.
Coral and Coral reefs - So far, 179 species of corals belonging
to 61 genera have been reported. Reefs are mostly fringing type on eastern coast
and barrier type on the western.
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