The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory (UT) of India, comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands (about 550 of which 28 inhabited) and the Nicobar Islands (22 main islands of which 10 inhabited). All these Islands are located northern fringe of the Indian Ocean. The Bay of Bengal lies to its west and Andaman Sea to east.

Port Blair is the capital of the UT. The territory's population as per the most recent (2001) Census of India was 356,152 in the total land area of approximately 6,496 km² or 2,508 sq mi. The highest point is located in North Andaman Island (Saddle Peak at 732 M).

History:

The Andaman and Nicobar islands have been inhabited for several thousand years. The genetic, cultural and linguistic isolation studies reveal that its habitation goes back from 30,000 to 60,000 years i.e. in the Middle Paleolithic. The various Andamanese people have been maintaining their separated existence through the distinct linguistic, cultural and territorial groups. They first came into sustained contact by outside groups in the 1850s. The indigenous people of the Andamans were: (1) the Great Andamanese, who collectively represented at least 10 distinct sub-groups and languages; (2) the Jarwas; (3) the Jangil (or Rutland Jarawa); (4) the Onge; and (5) the Sentinelese (most isolated of all the groups). The population of these people was about 7000 at the time of these first encounters. These indigenous people lost their territory and numbers in the face of punitive expeditions by British troops, land encroachment and the effects of various epidemic diseases together with the increased numbers of settlers from the mainland increased. The Jangil and most of the Great Andamanese groups are about to be extinct as there are approximately 400–450 indigenous Andamanese, the Jarawa and Sentinelese in particular maintaining a steadfast independence and refusing most attempts at contact.

The indigenous people of the Nicobars (unrelated to the Andamanese) have a similarly isolated and lengthy association with the islands. There are two main groups: (1) the Nicobarese, or Nicobari, living throughout many of the islands; and (2) the Shompen, restricted to the interior of Great Nicobar. These indigenous people have not yet tasted the development of this modern world.

Prior to the British colonial period in India, the islands provided a temporary maritime base for ships of the Marathas in the 17th century. The legendary admiral Kanhoji Angre established naval supremacy with a base in the islands.

The British attempted to set up a colony but was abandoned after only a few years (1789 - 1796), a second attempt from 1858 proved to be more permanent with the primary purpose to set up a penal colony for dissenters and independence fighters from the Indian subcontinent. The mode of imprisonment was called Kala pani. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair was regarded as the "Siberia" of British India. The islands were administered as a Chief Commissioner's Province in those days. The British continued their occupancy until the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Islands during World War II.

During the period of freedom movement on India, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose visited the islands during the war, and renamed them as "Shaheed" (Martyr) & "Swaraj" (Self-rule). The islands were nominally put under the authority of the Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind of Netaji. General Loganathan, of the Indian National Army was made the Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On 22 February 1944 he along with four INA officers-Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Sub. Lt. Md. Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh and stenographer Srinivasan arrived at Lambaline airport of Port Blair. On 21 March 1944 the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar. On 2 October 1944, Col. Loganathan handed over the charge to Maj. Alvi and left Port Blair, and never returned. The islands were reoccupied by British and Indian troops of the 116 Indian Infantry Brigade on 7 October 1945, to whom the remaining Japanese garrison surrendered.

Recent history of disaster:

The coasts of the Islands were devastated by a 10 M high ‘tsunami’ on 26 December 2004 with a death toll of about 5,930 people. One of the worst affected islands was Katchal and Indira Point, the southernmost point of India, which was submerged by the ocean. While newer settlers of the islands suffered the greatest casualties from the tsunami, most of the aboriginal people survived because oral traditions passed down from generations ago warned them to evacuate from large waves that follow large earthquakes.

Flora

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are blessed with a unique tropical rainforest canopy, made of a mixed flora with elements from Indian, Myanmarese, Malaysian and endemic floral strains. So far, about 2,200 varieties of plants have been recorded, out of which 200 are endemic and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India.

The South Andaman forests have a profuse growth of epiphytic vegetation, mostly ferns and orchids. The Middle Andamans harbours mostly moist deciduous forests. North Andamans is characterised by the wet evergreen type, with plenty of woody climbers. The North Nicobar Islands (including Car Nicobar and Battimalv) are marked by the complete absence of evergreen forests, while such forests form the dominant vegetation in the central and southern islands of the Nicobar group. Grasslands occur only in the Nicobars, and while deciduous forests are common in the Andamans, they are almost absent in the Nicobars. The present forest coverage is claimed to be 86.2% of the total land area.

This atypical forest coverage is made-up of twelve types namely:

1. Giant evergreen forest

2. Andamans tropical evergreen forest

3. Southern hilltop tropical evergreen forest

4. Cane brakes

5. Wet bamboo brakes

6. Andamans semi-evergreen forest

7. Andamans moist deciduous forest

8. Andamans secondary moist deciduous forest

9. Littoral forest

10. Mangrove forest

11. Brackish water mixed forest

12. Submontane hill valley swamp forest

Andaman Forest abounds in a plethora of timber species numbering 200 or more, out of which about 30 varieties are considered to be commercial. Major commercial timber species are Gurjan (Dipterocarpus spp.) and Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides).

The holy Rudraksha (Elaeocarps sphaericus) and aromatic Dhoop/Resin trees also are found here. [Source: Wikipedia]

Tourist interest:  Cellular Jail, Anthropological Museum, Marine Museum, Fisheries Museum, Horticultural garden, Chatham Saw Mill, Ross Island, Mount Harriet, Neil Island, Havelock Island, Jollybouy Island, Cinque Island, etc.

Transport:  Air – Port Blair is connected by air services from Kolkata, Visakhapattanam and Chennai.

Sea - There are around three to four ships sailing between Haddo Jetty, Port Blair in the Andamans and Calcutta and Chennai on the mainland. There is one sailing from Vishakhapattnam every two months. The Shipping Corporation of India runs these sailings. The distances between Port Blair and some of the important cities on the mainland are Calcutta - 1255 km, Chennai - 1190 km and Vishakhapatnam - 1200 km

Local transport - The Directorate of Shipping Services maintains regular inter-island foreshore and harbour ferry services to cater to the needs of inter-island commuters. There are local buses, bicycles, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, and taxis available for local transport on the islands.

ENTRY FORMALITIES FOR FOREIGNERS AND INDIANS

Foreigners

All foreign nationals can stay in the islands for 30 days. This can be extended by another 15 days with permission. They require a permit to stay from the immigration authorities. In addition, permits can also be obtained from: Indian Missions Overseas, Foreigner’s Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and the immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

The places covered by this permit for night halt are: South Andaman Island, Middle Andaman Island and Little Andaman Island (except tribal reserve), Neil Island, Havelock Island, Long Island, Diglipur, Baratang, North Passage and islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (excluding islands – Boat Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto) Night halt in the Park is with permission only.

For Day Halt South Cinque Island, Ross Island, Narcondum Island, Interview Island, Brother Island, Sister Island and Barren Island ( Barren Island can be visited on board vessels only).

Last Updated on Sunday, 09 May 2010 23:08