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| ANDAMAN & NICOBAR |
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Also called the Bay Islands the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, part of an emerald archipelago of 572 islands located in the Bay of Bengal, have become one of India's most sought after holiday destinations. Spread across the azure waters away from the main shipping lines criss-crossing the mighty Bay, the islands have managed to protect their ecological strengths. Today a few exclusive reserves have been created for the protection of their hugely decimated tribal communities - and many schemes have been set in place to ensure the conservation of the ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar groups-amongst them a contained tourist movement to this increasingly attractive tourist spot. The Andaman group of 204 islands, comprising the North, Middle and South Andamans Island, is more densely populated with its capital Port Blair the commercial hub. Most tourist activity is within Port Blair and its surrounds. The Nicobar group is made up of 19 islands, mostly inaccessible and uninhabited. There are two islands of volcanic origin - these are Barren Island and Narcondam Island, closed to tourism. It was during the British rule in India that the group came into prominence as the dreaded 'kala pani", the penal colony where many freedom fighters were shipped out from the mainland to the settlement which had been established six decades earlier by Lieutenant Archibald Blair in 1789. The increasing presence of the British on the islands resulted in aggressive hostilities from the natives. Only six of the original tribes (said to have inhabited them since pr-historic times) have survived the colonization of the islands-- the Sentinels, Jarawas, Onges, the Shompens, the Nicobarese and the Great Andamanese-few of whom have melded into the mainstream of migratory movements from the mainland. Only a few islands are open to tourism and even this is regimented by protective measures. The gorgeous beaches, the fantastic waters with their marine life and corals, the excellent water sports and the balmy climate offer exclusive holiday experiences to visitors from around the world.
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| ACCESS |
Getting there and around
Port Blair airport is served by flights from Kolkata and Chennai. Sailings are available from Chennai, Kolakata and Vishakapatnam. Book a passage
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from the Shipping Corporation of India at Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Port Blair. To travel around the islands there are taxis, buses, motocycles and ferries.
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| GRAND TOUR |
Port Blair
The gateway town has plenty of its own attractions The capital of the island destination is teeped in history and a vists to iyts landmarks offers an excellent insight into its development over the decades. There's an intresting Sound and Light show (daily both in Hindi and English) at the Cellular Jail, established by the British who had used this as the infamous penal colony- "Kala Pani" during the rule in India. Also take time out at the small museum (closed Mondays) which showcases this historic period which saw the incarceration of many freedom fighters
Andaman Water Sports Complex
Quite close to the Cellular Jail the government-run sporst facility arranges boating, surfing, sailing, parasailing, water skiing. Its also possible to hire water scooters boats and equipment, and enjoy a sswim before haeding for its food plaza located here.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park
Located at Wandoor Beach are three of India's most important marine conservation programmes. The MGMP is made up of 15 islands which highlight the splendour of the Andam's tropical wealth and marine life The Water Sports Complex at the park offers glass bottomed boat rides to explore the waterways rich in plant, marine and coral beds diversity. You can also avail of the scuba diving and snorkeling facilities.
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The Chatham Saw Mill
Established in 1883 on a tiny isle was Asia's biggest and oldest such structure at the time. Though it was destroyed during the 2nd World War-it became operational again in the 50s.
Mount Harriet
Trekking, birding and picnics on the islands highest peak in (south Andaman is ideal for trekking, picnics and bird watching opportunities.
Forest Museum
On display are many interesting examples of tropical trees- amongst them the Badauk Tree, the Satin and Marble Trees and the Burr Tree, from which unique souvenitr are crafted
Anthropological Museum
It showcases the intriguing world of the endangered native tribes of the islands who reside in protected enclaves today.
Fisheries Museum
Marvel at the diversity and beauty of the coral life and the rich marine bio-diversity around the islands.
Samudrika Musuem
The naval mueusm highlights the marine world of the islands
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