ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS....

Want a change from the hectic pace of life? Thinking of giving the family a much - needed break? Then head to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the one place where even the government assists the holidaymaker to relax by restricting frenetic sightseeing to a few hours of the day. The beaches, museums, forts and jail are some of the circuits you will do at a leisurely pace once you are here.
The sunset and sunrise are breathtaking every single day! Diving, snorkelling and other water sports will add that extra zing to your holiday.

F A C T F I L E :

Area: 8249 sq km
Population: 356,265 (2001)
Language: Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Nicobarese
Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Capital: Port Blair

History - The story so far :

Andaman’s appearance in history is as ancient as the epic Ramayana and its main characters, Rama, Hanuman, Sita and Ravana. The legendary Monkey God Hanuman is believed to have landed here on the way to Ravana’s kingdom in Sri Lanka, while searching for Lord Rama’s abducted wife, Sita. And that is perhaps the reason for the name “Andaman” which is derived from the Malay word “Handuman” or Hanuman, the Hindu Monkey God.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands were the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who lived on the islands for centuries. The islands remained isolated from the mainland till the end of the 17th century when people from the outside world first arrived. Nicobar means “the land of the naked” – possibly a reference to its tribal residents. The islands first appeared in the 2nd century maps prepared by the great Roman geographer, Claudius Ptolemus who also referred to them as the “islands of cannibals”. Xuan Zang, a Chinese monk noted their existence in the seventh century, as did Marco Polo who called it “the land of the head hunters”.

The Marathas annexed the islands in the late 17th century. In the early 18th century, the islands were the naval bases of Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre, whose fleet frequently attacked and captured British, Dutch and Portuguese merchant ships. The British finally annexed Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the 19th century who used it as the penitentiary for Indian freedom fighters. The exile was known as ‘kalapani’ (or exile) by the ‘offenders’ sent to the ill-reputed 'Cellular Jail', where many of the freedom fighters were executed.

It was the Japanese who occupied the islands during the World War II. Whereas some of the local tribes took up guerrilla activities against the Japanese, others welcomed them as liberators from the British colonialism. After India gained independence in 1947, the islands were incorporated into the Indian Union and administered as a Union Territory by the Central Government.

Governance :

Once the islands were incorporated into the Indian Union of states, new rules and legislation were enacted and a Chief Commissioner directly nominated by the President of India was appointed to oversee the administration. On November 12, 1982, the post of Chief Commissioner was elevated to the rank of Lt. Governor. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are still centrally administered and send one elected representative to the Lok Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Economy :

The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a vast forest resource base with 7,171 sq km of the total area of island covered by forests. A large variety of timber is found in the Andaman group of islands. 40% of the forest is divided as Primitive Tribal Reserve open only to Indians with permits. The rest is a Protected Area for the cultivation of timber for export of matchwood, hardwood and plywoods. Paddy is the main food crop and is mostly cultivated in the Andaman group of islands, whereas coconut and areca nut are the main cash crops of the Nicobar group of islands. Different kinds of fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, papaya, pineapple and some root crops are also grown on the islands.

The islands have reported the occurrence of diatomaceous earth, gold, limestone, nickel, selenite and sulphur. The Indian Oil And Natural Gas Commission is exploring for oil and gas there. The islands have a number of small scale, village and handicrafts units. The number of export-oriented units is also increasing in the agro-processing sectors. The Andaman and Nicobar Integrated Development Corporation has made its presence felt in civil supplies, tourism, fisheries, industries, and industrial financing activities.

Habitat :

Located in the Bay of Bengal in the east coast of India, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a mélange of over 350 islands, a majority of which are uninhabited. Formed by a submarine mountain range, which separates the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea, the islands stretch between the latitudes 6° to 14° North and longitudes 92° to 94° East. The islands attain maximum altitude at Saddle Peak (730 m) on Andaman Island formed mainly of limestone, sandstone and clay. The two important groups of islets are Ritchie's Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. The Nicobar Islands are located to the south of Andaman, 121 km from Little Andaman Island

The islands have brilliant tropical flora. They are endowed with evergreen thick forests and tropical trees with mangrove swamps right up to the water’s edge. Some parts of the islands are hilly. The seashore has beaches of white sand, offshore coral reefs and unpolluted sparkling clear waters that are excellent for snorkelling. The canopied rainforests harbour a rich variety of flora, about 3000 species of plants and a wide variety of tropical fruit. The island's wealth of fauna is as diverse as it can get, housing rare species of dugong, grey teal, estuarine crocodiles and marine turtles. The Andaman's are also a bird watcher's paradise with 242 species recorded.

However, the Andaman’s now epitomize the tension between tourism potential and environmental degradation. Massive increase in population and plantation forests and a thorough destruction of native forests has changed the landscape. Commercial shipping vessels have damaged the coral reefs therebyfurther destabilizing the already fragile eco system. Taking a cue from nearby Maldives, the Indian Government is also trying to develop some islands exclusively for tourism.

Climate :

The islands have a tropical climate with only minor fluctuations in temperature (23-30°C) and 80% humidity all around the year. There is medium to heavy rain during the monsoons twice a year from the month from May to mid September and November to mid December. Average annual rainfall is about 3000mm at Port Blair.

People & Society :

There are two distinct inhabitants of the islands - The 'Indians' and the 'Natives'. The former are people from the Indian mainland especially from Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu as well as immigrants from Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

The native or the Aborigine tribes are the main reason why the islands have an aura of wild abandonment about them. The indigenous tribes are distinguished as two groups: the Onge, Sentinelese, Jarawa and Andamanese of Negroid descent living on the Andaman Islands and the Shompen and Nicobarese of Mongoloid descent living in the Nicobar Islands. Most of these tribes are on the verge of extinction because of the combined impact of destruction of the forest habitats and the imposition of an alien and insensitive culture that brought along with it various diseases and vices such as alcohol and tobacco.

The two Negrito communities, the Jarawa and the Sentinelese have avoided contact with the outside world and often resorted to violence to do so. Perhaps they realise that their only way of survival is to avoid contact with the outside world. This however appears to be changing in the case of the Jarawa. Whereas the number of Great Andamanese declined because of the various epidemics, the Onge are suffering on account of the destruction of their forests and the imposition of a way of life that is alien and insensitive to them. The Nicobarese are fortunate to have found it easier to assimilate into the contemporary Indian society.

Religion-

It is on these islands that all religions come together. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, forget their differences and live in perfect harmony. In fact, they are referred to as a Mini India.

Language -

English and Hindi are widely spoken, as are Bengali and Malayalam. The ethnic language spoken in Andaman bears no resemblance to any other language spoken in India.

Food-

No particular cuisine has developed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands because the tribes were hunters who lived on what the forest produced. However, several settlers from all parts of India inhabit the island adding their own particular flavours and foods. The people are essentially rice eaters. The soil is not suitable for the growth of many fruits and vegetables that have to be shipped in from Chennai. Seafood is available in plenty and many restaurants serve fresh seafood.

Culture and Crafts-

The primitive tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were the Shompens, Onge, Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Sentinelese and others. Most of these small tribes came into contact with modern civilization and slowly lost most of their cultural identity. The Jarawa and Sentinelese became insular and even resorted to violent means to protect their cultural identity. The Jarawa have slowly given in but the Sentinelese culture based on tribe, family and clan still remains intact. On the other hand, the Nicobarese were larger in numbers and gradually integrated modern civilization into their socio-cultural structure. Their cultural fabric is woven around clan, religion and economy. They are best known for their love for music and dance.

The main crafts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands include shell and exotic woods crafted for the tourists, palm mats, and beautiful natural shells. Due to the fear of over exploitation of the Islands' natural resources, trade of some products is now banned like mother-of-pearl jewellery, paduk, which is now banned.

Education-

Literacy figures are at 73% (78.99% men and 65.46% women).

Sightseeing :

Before a sightseeing trip in the Andaman Islands, find out the visiting times of the various attractions. Options available span islands, beaches, parks, jails, museums and even the odd sawmill, all within a radius of about 20km of Port Blair.

The MG Marine National Park at Wandoor, a short drive (29km) from Port Blair is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating coral reefs and multihued fish and marine life. The Gandhi Park is a child’s delight complete with an amusement park, deer park, water sports facilities and a restaurant.

The Marina Park is similar but built right on the seashore. Viper Island, where the gallows still stand is guaranteed to give you the spooks! Yes, people were actually strung there!

Gandhi Park is a good base for a visit to the islands of Jolly Buoy and Redskin for exciting water sports like scuba diving and snorkeling. For the less adventurous who don’t want to get wet, glass-bottomed boats provide the perfect means to see the coral reefs with its teeming, colourful marine life.

The Sound and Light Show at the Cellular Jail is worth catching. It effectively evokes memories of the tragic end of the exiled political prisoners banished here during India’s struggle for independence.

If museums inspire your muse, there are plenty to indulge you - ethnological displays at Anthropological Museum, exhibitions of marine life at Samudrika and decorative woodcraft at Forest Museum. Of course, the best part of your visit will be the many islands with their gorgeous beaches.Neil Island, Havelock Island, North Passage Island, Cinque Island, Long Island, Baratang Island, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Little Andaman Island and Chiriya Tapoo are all accessible by regular boat services from Port Blair.

You have the option of driving to Baratang (not accessible by boat), Ranghat, Mayabunder and Diglipur. A tiny and picturesque beach, Corbyn's Cove is a short 20-minute drive from Port Blair. It can also be a long but an easy and beautiful cliff top walk from Port Blair. It is great for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The tourist complex also has facilities for scuba diving among other sports.

Other places of interest include a guided tour around the Chatham Sawmill, located 5 km northwest of Aberdeen Bazaar, the largest wood processor in the world. The Middle Islands, North Andaman, Little Andaman and Nicobar Islands are out of bounds for the tourist unless you have secured a special permit.

Around & About :

How do I get there?

By Air:

Travellers flying into the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have to first arrive at Port Blair before taking a boat/ferry to any of the other islands. Five weekly flights between Calcutta and Port Blair and four flights from Chennai and Vishakhapatnam connect the islands to the Indian mainland. Indian Airline has flights from Calcutta and Chennai on rotational basis. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are Calcutta- Port Blair days when flights from Calcutta go to Chennai via Port Blair. On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday flights originate from Chennai and go to Calcutta via Port Blair. For some strange reason, the airport at Port Blair is known as School Line airport. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available for the journey into the main city.

By Water :

Visitors can sail to the islands on ships from Calcutta, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. Hado Jetty in Port Blair is the disembarkation point. The voyage takes about 3 days and is a huge sell-out, so be sure to plan this in advance! Vishakhapatnam is erratically connected but Calcutta and Chennai have ships leaving three/four times a month.

Getting Around:

The Directorate of Shipping Services operates regular inter-island shore 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. One has to be wary of the taxi drivers who don’t use the meter for calculating fares. But it is best to hire your own vehicle, to explore these islands in your way, your pace. Cars, mopeds, motorbikes, bicycles and even private boats are available for hire.

Tourist Offices :

Director (Tourism),Andaman & Nicobar AdministrationPort Blair - 741101Tel: (03192) 30933, 20747Fax: (03192) 30933
Resident Commissioner, Andaman & Nicobar Admn., Andaman & Nicobar Bhavan, Plot No. 12, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021 Tel : (011) 6882116, 6871443 Fax : (011) 3782642

When to Go:

The best time of the year to visit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is between October and May. It is also the time for the annual tourism festival. The waters are clear and relatively placid after the monsoons making them perfect for snorkelers and swimmers.

Where do I Stay?

Port Blair is the central place to stay in and foray forth to the other islands from. Port Blair has ample accommodation for travellers, whatever their budget. Apart from luxury hotels, most places don’t levy additional taxes on their tariffs. Check out time is usually 7am. Many hotels offer discounts in the low season (April - September).

What to bringPlenty of mosquito repellent, a first aid kit with basic medication, light summer clothes, beachwear and sunscreen lotion is what you need all the year round. If you’re planning to camp out, stove and kerosene oil are essential – you can buy them easily in Port Blair. Snorkeling gear is available on the island, albeit at high prices.

Things to Do:

Dining & Entertainment
Shopping
Activities
Special Events

Dining & Entertainment:

Prawns and lobsters rule! Good seafood is available everywhere and at very reasonable rates. Since ingredients have to be imported from the mainland, food and drinks are fairly expensive. Apart from the restaurants attached to hotels, there are many others at beaches and convenient spots. Away from Port Blair, the options are fewer.

Shopping:

Local curio shops and emporiums are stocked handicrafts that make wonderful souvenirs. There are intriguing coconut shell lamp shades, ashtrays, Nicobari mats, apart from wood crafted items like chairs, tables, bowls, trays and walking sticks in wood and shell.

Activities:

A sea holiday offers you the chance to snorkel, scuba dive and swim in complete isolation on sandy white beaches.
You can go trekking on the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Madhuban and enjoy the rare forest life watching wonderful flora and fauna. Island camping at Havelock is a good outdoor experience. Tents are available on hire at moderate rates from October to May during fair weather.
The Andaman Islands is the ideal destination for scuba addicts! If you aren’t, it is difficult to find a cheaper and more beautiful location to learn this art. The best dive sites for a day trip is in the vicinity of Cinque Island though the Government tax of Rs1000 for dives makes it a bit heavy on the avaerage pocket.
One can enjoy the underwater marine life and view beautiful corals by snorkeling near the Andaman Water Sports Complex, Corbyn's Cove, M.G. Marine National Park, Havelock, Neil, Rangat and other places. It is best to bring along your own mask and snorkel. Hiring equipment requires a deposit of anything up to Rs 5000. Most snorkeling places close in early May due to the monsoons.
The Government has invested in tourism by building the Andaman Water Sports Complex. This complex has all possible aqua sports facilities. Paddle boats, glass-bottom boats, aqua glide, kayaks, water scooters are available. The adventurous have plenty of options such as water skiing, wind surfing, speedboats, sailboats and para-sailboats.

Special Events:

The Island Tourism Festival is celebrated every year for 15 days between December and February in Port Blair. The exhibition highlights the development of tourism and the other aspects of these islands. Cultural groups and the artistes of the national and international fame from the mainland are invited to perform during the festival. Water sports competitions and the Nicobari "Hodi" race are organised. The festival projects the image of the islands as an eco-friendly tourist destination. One of the major attractions at this festival is the Andaman Dog Show.

Travel Documents :

All visitors to India are required to carry a passport valid at least for the next 6 months and a visa. Visa exemptions include:
1) Bhutanese and Nepalese visitors who are staying for less than 3 months,
2) Nationals from the Maldives, if they are staying for a maximum of 90 days (this includes any periods they may have spent in India up to 6 months prior to the visit in question),
3) Transit passengers who have a follow-on ticket within 72 hours of arrival as long as they are not going to leave the airport.

Special restrictions apply to Pakistani and Afghan nationals.

Securing a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is necessary for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All Foreign Nationals need a RAP to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Permits can be obtained from Indian Missions Overseas; Immigration Offices at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi; and Immigration Authorities at airports in Port Blair, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. The permit is usually valid for 30 days and certain tourist attractions only. If you are travelling by air you need to have a confirmed return ticket, otherwise your stay is a reduced to 10-15 days. If you are traveling by ship, it’s a good idea to report to the Deputy Superintendent of Police at Port Blair on arrival.

Indian Nationals do not require RAP to visit the Andaman Islands but do need to attain one for Nicobar. A permit for Nicobar is granted only to Indians travelling for purposes of research, government business or trade. The Immigration Officer/ Deputy Commissioner at Port Blair can issue you this permit.

Money & Business :

Currency & Costs-

The Indian rupee is available in denominations of Re1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 500. One rupee is split into a hundred paise, available in denominations of 10p, 25p and 50p. There are coins for Re1, Rs 2 and Rs 5.
Accommodation and dining in the islands suit all budgets. Transportation, especially renting cars or other vehicles, can be expensive. The deposit you will have to make will be hefty. Renting water sports gear is also expensive.

Banks & Money Changers-

In the islands, your banking options will be far less than in the rest of urban India. You’re likely to find only branches of government banks that do not offer facilities such as ATM and are unlikely to change currency other than dollars and pound sterling. Also the paperwork might run into reams if the bank is yet to be computerised. Banking hours usually are 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Friday and 10 AM to 12-noon on Saturdays. Bank holidays vary from region to region. Major festivals are holidays though it is unlikely that a bank will be closed for longer than 2 days in a row.
Changing money in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be a tedious process so change substantial amounts at a time. Only a few banks will accept travellers’ cheques or currency other than dollars or pound sterling and if you find one that services your needs take advantage of it. Changing money is limited to the largest public sector bank and some luxury hotels in the Andamans. Save up all exchange receipts (encashment certificates); these are required for visa extensions and other formalities, and when you want to convert rupees at the end of your trip. Don’t bank on your credit card, as it may not be accepted in most establishments.

Business Guide-

With increasing liberalisation at both the economic level and at the societal level, business protocol has begun to adhere to western standards. Keep appointments, be punctual (though that’s a value that Indians are only now picking up), and shake hands if one is offered or greet with hands folded in ‘namaste’. You’ll most likely be asked questions about family and home not because anybody wants to pry but because many Indians believe that curiosity conveys concern.
Dress formally for business meetings in formal cotton shirts with a tie and trousers if the weather is warm. Otherwise a lightweight summer business suit is appropriate.