Situated off the East of the Indian peninsula and stretching 700 km from north to south, this archipelago of 572 islands is 58 km. at the widest and covers a total area of 8,249 sq. km. As experts put it, it was once a hill range extending from Indonesia to Burma. According to mythological presumptions, the name "Andaman" has emerged from the word "Hanuman" whom the Malays Knew as "Honduman". Six aboriginal tribes i.e. the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas and Sentinalese, all four of Negrito origin inhabit the Andaman group of islands, and the other two i.e. Nicobarese and Shompens are habitated by Mongoloid stock.. Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, the emerald isles in the Bay of Bengal is a rare gift of nature. This group of islands, with tropical rain forest, beautiful beaches and creeks, rich flora, fauna, marine life and underwater corals make it a dream destination for tourists.

    The archipelago is 193 km from Capte Negaris in Burma, 1,255 km. From Calcutta and 1,190 km. from Chennai. Five islands, grouped together are called the Great Andamans and to South is the islands of Little Andaman. It’s total population according to 1991 census was 2,80,661, with 1,54,369 males and 1,26,292 females. In all, there are some 204 islets and the two principal groups are Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. The Nicobar Islands are situated to the South of Andamans, 131 km. from Little Andaman.

    Andaman and Nicobar islands have many firsts to its credit. The first call for Independence was given by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on December 23, 1943 from Cellular jail. The island had direct impact of Second World War, when Japanese captured it from British forces. It has Asia’s oldest and biggest saw- mill. The Union Territory has 97 per cent literacy, which is highest in the country. The island has lone active volcano in Barren island.

    Indian nationals need no permit to visit Andaman. However, visiting interior tribal areas of Andaman and Nicobar is prohibited and permission can be granted by the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman district. Foreigners require a permit to stay in the islands, which can now be obtained easily on arrival at Port Blair, the official capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands.

    The Island, with extensive scenic beauty has not always been a paradise. The Island has cellular jail, which today stands as a mute witness to the untold sufferings, valiant defiance and undaunted spirit of the firebrand revolutionaries, against the brutalities of the British barbarism. Cellular jail, located at Port Blair was nomenclatured so, due to its unique feature of having 698 cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners, each measuring 13’6" x 7’6". The construction of jail was taken up in October 1896 and completed in 1906 at a cost of approximately rupees five lakh. As a mark of respect to the freedom fighters, the cellular jail has since been dedicated to the freedom fighters. It was dedicated to the nation by the late Prime Miniser Morarji Desai on February 11, 1979 and now it stands as a national memorial of great significance. It originally had seven pronged, puce coloured building with a central tower, acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was damaged by the Japanese forces during Second World War and now only 3 wings and 291 cells remain.

    Although the Andaman and Nicobar Island’s Administration is following a well-defined policy for the development of primitive tribes, yet some tribes are far away from the mainstream of development. Of the six aboriginal tribes, five are just a few in number and striving hard for their survival. Of the 572 islands, only 38 are inhabited. These islands are the abode of four Negroid tribes i.e. the Great Andamaneses, Onges, Jarawas and Sentinaleses and two Mongoloid tribes. Of the total tribal population, Nicobarese tribe, which have joined the main stream, is 98 per cent, while rest put together are barely 2 per cent.

    The racial and cultural mix can be correctly described as national, as many families have representation of all the faiths i.e. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian. No communal disturbance has ever occurred in the Islands. Languages Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and Nicobari are spoken and understood. Inter-religion, inter-region marriages are common and all people live in complete peace and harmony.

    Forests are the green gold of the islands. The reserved and protected forests extend over 86 per cent of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92 per cent. About 50 per cent of the forests have been set aside as Tribal reserves, National parks and wildlife sanctuaries continue to sustain their serene look. Luxuriant mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy nearly 11.5 per cent of the territory. More than 150 plant and animal species are endemic in nature. The island is rich in corals, varieties of coloured fishes, sea turtles besides other marine life. The archipelago is a birds’ paradise and more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the idyllic landscape out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar pigeon are some of them. The chief among animal species are coloured fishes, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, sharks, corals, crabs, centipedes, lobsters, snails and various kinds of butterflies. And the fauna includes mangroves, rare medicinal plants, herbs, tall evergreen tropical forests besides palm and coconut trees. The archipelago boasts of the only active volcano in India, at the Barren Island.

    The closeby Anthropological museum having artefacts and photos is yet another tourist site. The fabulous Marine museum is another next ideal halt for the curious tourists. Giant clams weighing up to 150 kg greet visitors at the entrance. Fishes of many species including Rays, Cat-fish, Sea lily, Sea horse, Dugong & Dolphins (Mammals) and the rest can also been seen in the museum. Other sea creatures, such as sea cucumber, sea urchin, various species of crabs and lobsters seem to be welcoming the tourists. And, the Sea treasures – pearls, cowries, conches and shells are simply astonishing.

    The Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands offers a unique example of India’s rich geographical, racial and cultural diversities. A visit to the Union Territory is an enriching experience.

* Deputy Principal Information Officer in Press Information Bureau, New Delhi.