Andaman & Nicobar

Area :8249sq.km Capital :Port Blair
Languages :Bengali, Hindi, Nicobarese, Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam Districts :2 Population :3,56,265 Males :1,92,985 & Females :1,63,280 Literacy :81.18%

The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is known throughout the country as 'Kalapani' because of their having been a penal settlement under the British Rule. The islands lie in a long and narrow broken chain, approximately north-south sprawling like an arc. Andaman group of islands and the Nicobar group of islands, have entirely different population and problems. The dreaded 10o channel which is about 145 km wide and 400 fathoms deep, separates the two groups.

This territory comprises islands some of which are large such as North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Baratang, Little Andaman in the Andaman group and Car Nicobar. Situated in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar islands constitute one of the most important union territories. This is a group of big and small picturesque islands forming a narrow broken chain in the form of a north-south arc and are situated at 16oN and 14oN latitude and 92oE and 94oE longitude. Geologically the islands appear to have been part of the land mass of South east Asia comprising North East India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Port Blair, the head quarters of the islands is 1255kms from Calcutta (by sea), 1191kms from Madras and 580kms from Yangon (Rangoon).

This territory consists of two distinct groups of islands-Andaman and Nicobar. There are more than 3000 islands, islets and rocks in the archipelago while only about 300 of them are of appreciable size. Of these only 39 islands are inhabited. The northern most point is Landfall island which is 901kms away from the mouth of Hoogly River and about 190kms from Burma. The southern-most island is Great Nicobar, the southern-most tip of which Pygmalian Point now Indira Point is about 150kms away from Sumatra (Indonesia).

The terrain The terrain is generally mountainous with long ranges of hills enclosing narrow valleys. The configuration of the land clearly points to these islands being the visible ridges and summits of sunken ranges of mountains, Saddle Peak in North Andaman at a height of 732 metres above sea level is the highest point in these islands. There are no great elevations and the slopes are moderate to steep and rugged. They are susceptible to heavy soil erosion. Flat lands are comparatively scarce. The villages in Betapur and Diglipur constitute the main flat lands in the Andaman group. The islands in the Nicobar group are surrounded by coral reef and shallow seas. Long narrow stretches of sandy beaches are a salient feature of the topography here. Car Nicobar and Katchal are almost flat while the others have hilly terrain. In Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar in the Nicobar group, the land surface is very irregular, cut up by steep hills and valleys.

PEOPLE:

The original tribal people who lived here are the great Andamanese, Jarawas, Sentinelese and Onges in the Andaman group and the Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar group. Along with them, the present-day Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the homes of descendants of hundreds of prisoners from all part of India who constituted the penal settlement during the British Raj. They are the offspring's of the Moplas of Malabar deported during the Mopla Rebellion, the Kilafat movement and of refugees from the rest while east Pakistan who settled over thirty years ago with hope for a new life; or ex-servicemen of the Indian Army; of jobseekers and adventurers from every corner of India.

ECONOMY

Agriculture:
A total of 48,675 hecatres of land is used for agriculture purposes. Paddy, the main food crop, is mostly cultivated in Andaman group of islands, whereas coconut and arecanut are the cash crops of Nicobar group of islands. Field crops, namely, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are grown, followed by paddy during Rabi season. Different kinds of fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, papaya, pineapple and root crops are grown on hilly land owned by farmers. Spices, viz., pepper, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon are grown under multi-tier cropping system. Rubber, red oil, palm and cashew are grown on a limited scale in these islands.

Industry
There are 1,374 registered small scale, village and handicrafts units. Two units are export oriented in the line of fish processing activity. Apart from this, there are shell and wood based handicraft units. There are also four medium sized industrial units. SSI units are engaged in the production of polythene bags, PVC conduit pipes and fittings, paints and varnished, fibre glass and mini flour mills, soft drinks and beverages, etc. Small scale and handicraft units are also engaged in shell crafts, bakery products, rice milling, furniture making , etc. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation has spread its wings in the field of tourism, fisheries, industries and industrial financing and functions as authorised agents for Alliance Air/ et Airways.

TOURISM:

Port Blair
Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a small but picturesque place spread over a number of hills from Haddo across Secretariat Hill to Aberdeen Bazaar and South point. There are neat villages like Pahargaon, Shadipur and Garacharme.

The territory have a natural heritage, with evergreen moist deciduous and swamp forests. Today, Port Blair have grown and tourism is being developed to entice more people to enjoy the clean beaches and unpolluted waters that are already attracting divers and snorkellers.

Chatam Island:
The centre of activity of the Forest Department is Chatham Island. It has perhaps the biggest Saw Mill of its kind in Asia. Burma Nallah is about 17kms from Port Blair. Here logs are extracted with the help of elephants. The forest here is a feast to the eyes with most colourful and rare varieties of orchards and beauty of other flora and fauna.

Mount Harriet:
Mount Harriet lies on the other side of Ross Island. It is the highest hill around South Andaman and is about 365m (1200feet). Formerly it was the headquarters of the Chief Commissioner. The hill top provides an excellent view of the Port Blair city and the environs with the outline of Havelock Islands and Ross Island.

Ross Islands:
Ross Islands was the seat of British Administration. It is situated North of Port Blair just across a narrow stretch of sea. This island with an area of about 200 acres was a small world in itself with chief commissioners residence. The place came into decay with the shifting of the Chief Commissioner's Office in 1942 as areas close to the shore had developed serious cracks and it was felt that the building was not safe. The Japanese occupied the Island in March 1942. In October 1945 the Islands were reoccupied by the British. Today the Island is deserted.

Madhuban:
Madhuban is some 15kms from Port Blair. It provides a sea beach in front, hills behind and is being used as a training ground for elephants by foresters.
Havelock Island has some of the first coral reefs of all shapes and colours.

Neil Island :
Neil Island has a long shallow beach and is used for timbering operations. There is also a lake.