DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

DELHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

ROHINI, DELHI 110042, INDIA

PROJECT REPORT

ON

“ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND”

SUBMITTED TO

DR. SAROJ BALA

SUBMITTED BY

ANSHU GANGWAR (2K21/MSCPHY/05)

SHUBHDA KAUSHIK (2K21/MSCPHY/46)

 OBJECTIVE

EXPLORING THE FACTS OF ANDAMAN AND

NICOBAR ISLAND AND SEEKING ATTENTION
TOWARDS THE LIFESTYLE AND PROBLEMS FACED
BY THE NATIVE OF THESE ISLANDS.
Table of content

1. Introduction
2. History of origin
3. Main attractions
4. Beaches
5. Culture of Andaman and Nicobar island
6. Arts and craft
7. Dance and music
8. Tribes
9. Language and religion
10. Famous places of Andaman and Nicobar island
11. Cellular jail
12. Lifestyle
13. Marriages and customs
14. Hunting and fishing
15. Climatic conditions
16. Flora and fauna
17. Festivals
18. Problems faced by people of Andaman and Nicobar island
19. Permits
20. Fun facts
 INTRODUCTION

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) is a Union Territory of India since 1956. The Union
Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the remotest parts of Union. An
archipelago extends over an area of 8249 Sq km comprising of approximately more than 608
islands, islets and rocks with a coastline of 1912 km (approx 1/4th of total coastline of India).
Of these only 31 islands (as per census 2011) and are inhabited having total population of
380581. These Islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal between 6th and 14th north latitude
and 92 to 94 east longitudes surrounded by deep Sea. Almost 94% of land is under forest.
The chain of islands forms a continuous row of islands from North to South with an extent of
more than 800 km approx. and divided into two groups Namely Andaman group of islands
and Nicobar group. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by 10 Degree Channel
in the middle. The Southernmost Island is Great Nicobar whose southernmost tip is only 150
km away from Sumatra, Indonesia. India Point in Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost
tip of India. Port Blair is the Capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman group
of Islands stretches over 467 km in length with maximum width of 52 km and average width
being 24 km only. The biggest and smallest islands are the Middle Andaman Island and
Curlew Island with an area of 1536 sq km and 0.03 sq km respectively. The total area in
Nicobar group is 1841 sq. km with total 259 km of length and max. Width of 58 km. The
dense forest covering these islands with rich flora and fauna creates a poetic atmosphere.

HISTORY OF ORIGIN

 A&N islands are formed due to collision between the Indian plate & Burma minor
plate (Eurasian plate).

 The existence of people on these islands dates back to 2200 years old. The indigenous
Andamanese people have been isolated from other populations since 30,000 years
ago.

 It became part of India in 1950 and was declared as the union territory of nation in
1956.

 The name ANDAMAN is thought to drive from HANUMAN, who was known as
Malays as Handuman.
  The name NICOBAR seems to be a corruption of the south term “
NAKKAVARAM”( LAND OF NAKED) as indicated in great Tanjore inscription of
AD 1050

ADMINSTRATIVE SETUP
In 1874, the Andaman and Nicobar Regulations placed the settlement under the Govt. of
India with Chief Commissioner as the Administrator. In 1982, Post of Chief Commissioner
was upgraded to that of Lieutenant Governor. 5 The East India Company developed the
Andaman Islands in eighteenth century for providing safe Harbour to its ships during the
monsoon. Subsequently in 1858, the British founded a penal settlement here.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands was constituted of one district until 31st July 1974. On 1st of
August 1974, the Nicobar Islands were constituted as a separate revenue district with its head
quarter at Car Nicobar. In August 2006, Andaman District was bifurcated into two districts
namely South Andaman and North & 7 Middle Andaman. There are 9 Tehsil and 9
Development Block. Three-tier Panchayati Raj system exists in the Union Territory
comprising of 70 Gram Panchayat, 7 Panchayat Samiti and 2 Zilla Parishads (District
Panchayat). There is a Municipal Council for the Port Blair Town with 24 elected members
from 24 wards and 3 nominated members. 7 tribal councils and 52 tribal village councils are
working in tribal village.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is divided into three districts:

1. North and Middle Andaman (Capital: Mayabunder)

2. South Andaman (Capital: Port Blair)
3. Nicobar (Capital: Car Nicobar)

PICTORICAL REPRESENTATION OF
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
 Settlement patterns and demographic trends
The population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands expanded particularly rapidly in the
mid-20th century as immigrants took advantage of India’s post independence
development initiatives in the territory. Growth began to slow by the 1980s, and by the early
21st century it had approached a rate roughly comparable to that of the rest of India. Port
Blair is the only major town; it contains more than one-fourth of the territory’s residents. The
remainder of the population is spread across more than 500 small villages, most of which
have fewer than 500 inhabitants.

Economy
Agriculture is the occupation of most of the residents of the Andaman Islands. Principal crops
include rice, coconuts, betel (areca nuts), fruits, and spices (such as turmeric). Rubber, oil
palms, and cashews also are important. In addition to farming there is a small forestry sector
on the islands, which focuses on production of sawn wood for domestic use; surpluses are
exported to the Indian mainland. Similarly, the products of the islands’ fisheries are intended
primarily for domestic consumption.

Manufacturing
Neither the Andaman nor the Nicobar island groups are highly industrialized. However, a
variety of manufacturing activities are undertaken on both sets of islands. Furniture and other
wood products are manufactured on the Andaman Islands. Processed foods and garments are
among the principal products of both island groups.

Tourism
Tourism is a growing industry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with dozens of hotels
scattered throughout the territory. Most tourists are from the Indian mainland. Popular
historical attractions include remnants of the British colonial administration, such as the
Andaman Cellular Jail (completed in 1906), in Port Blair, where the Indian
revolutionary Vinayak Damodar (Vir) Savarkar was detained in the first half of the 20th
century. The natural environment of the territory, with its many parks, gardens, and
sanctuaries, is attractive to ecotourists and trekkers.

Transportation
Most of the paved roads are in South Andaman. Port Blair and Diglipur are important
harbours of South Andaman and North Andaman, respectively. An interisland boat service
connects Port Blair with North, Middle, South, and Little Andaman islands. Air service is
available to the northern and southern Indian mainland from Port Blair.

Health and welfare

Basic health care is offered free of charge to residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Services are provided by hospitals in the more densely populated areas and
by community health-care centres and primary health-care facilities in the more rural regions.
There also is an extensive network of health-care subcentres spread across the islands.
Malaria has been a perennial problem in the territory, and the government has participated in
nationally sponsored mosquito-control and malaria-prevention initiatives to combat the
disease. Similarly, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory joined the national
government’s leprosy-eradication program, with the result that the incidence of that illness
has dropped dramatically in the territory since the 1990s.

Education
The number of educational institutions is limited, and most schools offer only primary
education. Nevertheless, more than four-fifths of the territory’s population is literate, which is
well above the Indian national average. There are several postsecondary institutions offering
industrial, technical, and teachers’ training. The first nursing school opened in 2001.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

 Beaches and islands

 Heritage tour

 Nature and wildlife

 Water sports like jet ski ride, sea kart, scuba diving snorkeling

 Surfing , Glass bottom boating

And fishing

 Cultural and theme tours

 Sightseeing and many more

The Andaman tropical evergreen rain forests, beautiful silver sandy beaches,
serpentine mangrove–lined creeks, marine life abound with rare species of plants,
animals; corals etc. provide an immemorial experience to the tourists. The
environment lover finds absolute peace and tranquillity in the lap of Mother Nature.
There is tremendous scope for enjoying nature in the beach resorts, water sports and
adventure water sports
 The highest point is Saddle Peak in North Andaman (732 metre), Mount Thullier in
Great Nicobar (642 metre) and Mount Harriet (365 metre) in South Andaman. Indira
Point in Great Nicobar is the Southern-most point while East Island in North
Andaman is the Northern-most Island of Andaman and Nicobar Island

Activities in Andaman and Nicobar

Island

SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving is one of the most favoured activities in the Andaman. People flock to this
region to explore the underwater while scuba diving. With the azure waters and the beautiful
corals, this diving experience in Andaman is the most opted activity in Andaman. Scuba
Diving in Andaman can be enjoyed for about 1 hour & explore the marine life.

On your diving, there will be a certified guide with you for your safety. Dive deep into the
ocean and explore the one of a kind sea life in the Andaman.  Your diving guides will lead
you to the most beautiful spots in the sea where you can unveil the ocean.

Walking Underwater While Sea Walking

To explore on Andaman Island owing to the endless adventures that the Andaman Sea has to
offer. Indulge in sea walking at 15-25 feet under the sea level and witness the breathtaking
coral reefs of Andaman. Sea Walking is one of the most adventurous things to do in
Andaman and definitely the most exciting thing to do in Havelock. As if offers you an
opportunity to uncover the mysteries of the underwater world. 
Don the gear and get ready to witness the spectacle of colourful, exotic fishes swimming past
you. Experience the underwater silence and feel solitude while you plunge into the majestic
underwater. Get clicked by the underwater photographers while you are sea walking as it
serves as a lifelong memory of your close shave with marine life.

Get Acquainted with the Dolphin with Dolphin Glass

Bottom Boat

Reveal the magnificence of the submerged kingdom lying underneath the Andaman Sea,
without getting your toes wet. There are new custom vessels which will take you to a
different world with the rich marine life. Get a chance to witness the fish swimming and the
rich corals underwater beckoning you to explore more and more. One can clearly see the
widely varied vegetation submerged. 

This glass boat will take you to a variety of places where you can spot dolphin as well. Feel
the thrill as you head out in this boat tour along with your loved ones. You will enjoy this one
of a kind activity for around 60 minutes and then return back to the water sports complex.

Swim with the Colourful Fish while Snorkelling

Snorkelling is another activity in the Andaman which is very favourite among the people.
People from around the world visit this place just to enjoy Andaman snorkelling activity.
Discover the underwater sea world in a whole new way while snorkelling. Also known as the
second level of swimming, snorkelling allows you to get the perfect view of marine life.
Snorkel with the colourful fishes and uncover the coral reefs underwater. 

You will be provided with gears and equipment while trying this activity. Enjoy this amazing
activity for around 15 minutes and capture those happy moments underwater. This activity
can be best enjoyed in Elephant beach

Limestone Caves
These limestone caves are formed by massive sediment rock. Just half an hour ride from the
Baratang Island on a ferry through wide stream you will be mesmerized by the whole place.
One can find gigantic limestones which are made of sedimentary rocks. 

Feel the thrill as you pass through the narrow cave and discover it to its core. Some of the
caves are so thick that one has to burn a light to witness what’s inside. Another thing is that
the cave can be tricky at the time so always wear shoes while walking here.

BEACHES

CORBYN`S COVE

• Lined with luxuriant coconut plantations, Corbyn’s Cove is one of the most unspoiled
Andaman beaches in Port Blair. One can indulge in water sports, take a leisure stroll,
relish at the beach shacks, or take a boat ride up to the Snake Island. This is one of the
most exotic beaches in Andaman offering enticing escapes to the nature lovers. The
peace and tranquillity of this beach will win you over

• . Seakarting is emerging as one of the most popular water sports in Andaman due to
which many adventure seekers visit Corbyn’s Cove throughout the year

• An unspoiled beach situated around 8 Km away from the heart of the city, Corbyn’s
Cove Beach is a prominent sightseeing spot in Andaman. This mesmerizing beach is
dotted with coconut palms and turquoise blue sea water which enhance its pristine
beauty. Apart from being a natural treasure, Corbyn’s Cove is also the most sought-
after location for enjoying water sports activities and it is one of the famous places to
visit in Port Blair.

ELEPHANT BEACH

Elephant Beach is one of the popular travel destinations of the Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. The beach offers a lot of water sports and activities. Also, Elephant Beach is
considered the cleanest beach in India, located on Havelock Island, in Andaman and
Nicobar. This is an ideal travel destination for you if you love visiting beaches and
love water sports and activities. You need to take a ferry to get there for a day trip.
This stunning beach offers a great experience of water sports such as snorkelling,
Scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, and more.
 Elephant Beach is located on Havelock Island at a distance of 70 km (69.8 km to be
exact) from Port Blair city. And the best way to reach Elephant Beach, You can take a
ferry or boat from Port Blair, the Capital city of Andaman And Nicobar Islands to
Havelock Island, It will take around 1- 1.5 hours to reach. And from Havelock you
can take another boat to the Beach it will take around 20-30 minutes

RADHANAGAR BEACH

Radhanagar Beach is located in the Swaraj Dweep Island (Havelock Island) under South

 
Andaman District, in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has been ranked
as the best beach of India and the 7th best beach in the world by the Time Magazine. Its white
sparkling sands, turquoise waters, and plush green palm vegetation makes it a perfect place
for a relaxed stroll

WANDOOR BEACH

Wandoor is a small village near the southern tip of South Andaman. It has some beaches and
a couple of accommodation options and is a nice place to relax, but it is more known as the
gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

There are two islands, Jolly Buoy and Red Skin, off the coast of wandoor village, which are
great tourist attraction because of the wealth of corals and marine life. At Jolly Buoy you will
get to see corals (red, blue, sponge corals etc). Also you will be able to see life within these
corals (particularly zebra fish). There are glass bottom boats to these islands and scuba diving
and snorkelling is offered as a way to see the park's coral reefs and marine life. The other
island called Red Skin Island. Both Jolly Buoy and Red Skin remain open for tourists for 6
months alternately. Tourists Wandoor + Jolly Buoy/Red Skin are a day trip. Night stay not
required. Boats from Jolly Buoy would return by 3 pm and then you can watch the sunset at
Wandoor beach and return to Port Blair by bus.

MARKBEY
SUN, sand and a long beach, this is the perfect description for Merk Bay Island in Andaman.
Located on the North Passage Island, close to Straight Island and Long Island, Merk Bay
Beach is away from the usual tourist crowd. Since North Passage Island is an uninhabited
island, the beach retains it clear blue water with an enchanting view of a variety of colourful
fish underneath and creates a beautiful contrast with the clean white sand for miles.

 The journey will take you almost an hour but it is sure to be as memorable as the beach
itself.

Boats are regularly available from Port Blair to Long Island three times a week. Or you can
choose to take a bus from Port Blair to reach Rangat and then take a boat from Yeratta (near
Rangat) to Long Island. Once you reach Long Island, take the boat safari that in itself is an
adventurous journey.

The weather is pleasant all year round. Since monsoons may not allow you to enjoy all kinds
of water sports, it is the best time to experience sunrise and sunset against the clear blue
water. And the beauty of the beach is reason enough to visit any time of the year.

LAXMANPUR, VIJAYNAGR, SITAPUR, KALAPATHAR, BALUDERA, ARE

OTHER FAMOUS BEACHES

CULTURE OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

ISLAND
All the local tribes were staunch in preserving the richness, ethnicity, and customs of the
island. The natives were bifurcated into two groups having their distinct culture that was
diverse from each other. One was the Negrito of the Paleolithic age such as Onge, Jarawa,
Andamanese, Sentinelese, and Autothchones which were the Shompens, Nicobarese, and
Monoloid.
OUTFIT
Till now there are people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands who don’t wear any dress they wear

aprons, bark apparel or leaves dress .

The men go all naked; only a long, narrow piece of cloth or sash, which, going round their
waists, and thence down between their thighs, is brought up behind and tucked-in at that part
which goes about the waist. The women have a petticoat from the navel to the knee, and their
hair closely shaved, but the men have their hair left on the upper part of the head and below

.
the crown Clothes of the Adivasis for men were made of bark, shell, and coconut leaves that
concealed the genital area. They mainly wore clothes that would wrap their body beneath the
waist. They also wore a necklace made of beads. The women adorned skirt and a cloth
covering them from their shoulders. They also wore earrings, naigaak or necklaces, and
armbands.

ARTS AND CRAFT

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands handicrafts industry is mainly dependent upon
its shell crafts. Shells of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the most beautiful
and fascinating objects found here

 The local crafts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands include woodwork and carpentry.
Several wooden articles and furniture are sold here. Items made from ornamental wood
like Chui, paduk and marblewoods are quite popular. Paduk burr is mostly used to
make table tops that are a beautiful piece of work

 Shell craft is another well known crafts from the same islands. Available with lot of
beaches and islands, this place is a great source of shells available on the shores. The
wide varieties of these shells are used to make beautiful crafts in Andaman and
nicobar. The shells found on the shores are used to make decorative artifacts like
bangles, table lamps, show pieces, ashtrays or decorative boxes and jewelleries’ like
rings and bangles. Apart from that, amongst the wide variety of shells available in
Andaman and Nicobar, Conch Shell and Tortoise shells are the most important and
valued shells. With increasing usage and the demand, Andaman and nicobar shell craft
is nurturing into the famous business industry bringing in good source of employment
and income to the locals

 The scenic Andaman and Nicobar Island is the best place for those who love to have a
good collection of innovative and interesting handicrafts at their home.

DANCE AND MUSIC

 Nicobarese dance is the traditional dance of Andaman and Nicobar. It can be seen
during the Ossuary Feast, commonly known as the Pig Festival. The Andamanese are
fond of their traditional music. The dancers move gracefully to the music and song of
the onge tribe.
  The twin islands have great fondness of their own musical talents. The music has
mainly originated through the Andamanese who cultivate a distinctive style of their
own and hardly care to pay attention to other styles.

 Andaman and Nicobar culture show a mix of the indigenous cultures of the settlers of
the island, as well as a more mainstream culture brought down by the descendants of
the early settlers in the island from the Indian mainland. The migrants also contributed
to the culture of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The greatest feature of Andaman
and Nicobar culture is the peaceful coexistence of these two strains of cultural lives.

POPULATION COMPOSITION

Although the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory consists of hundreds of islands, very

few of them are inhabited. Roughly two dozen of the Andaman Islands support human
settlements, while only 12 of the Nicobar Islands are populated.

The vast majority of the population of the Andamans consists of immigrants from South
Asia and their descendants. Most speak Hindi or Bengali, but Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam
also are common. The indigenous inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, the Andamanese,
historically comprised small isolated groups—all speaking dialects of the Andamanese
language. They used the bow and the dog (introduced to the Andamans c. 1857) for hunting
but knew no method of making fire. Turtles, dugongs, and fish were caught with nets or
harpooned from single outrigger canoes.

The remoteness of the Andamanese and their general hostility toward foreigners prevented
major cultural change until the mid-20th century. Few indigenous Andamanese survive
today, most groups having been decimated by disease following their encounter with
Europeans, Indians, and other outsiders.

In the early 21st century the only Andamanese groups that remained intact and continued to
practice the ways of their ancestors included a small group of Great Andamanese on Strait
Island, the Sentinelese of North Sentinel Island, the Jarawa of the interior areas of Middle and
South The indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar Islands, the Nicobarese (including the related
Shompen), continued to constitute the majority of the population of the Nicobars in the early 21st
century. They probably descend both from the Malays of insular and peninsular Southeast Asia and
from the Mon (also called the Talaing) of Myanmar. The Nicobarese speak various Nicobarese
languages, which belong to the Mon-Khmer language group of the Austroasiatic
language family; some also speak Hindi and English. In addition to the indigenous
population, there are significant numbers of Tamils and other people from the Indian
mainland living in the Nicobar Islands. Many came during the 1960s and ’70s in conjunction
with the Indian government’s program to develop the region’s agriculture.

More than two-thirds of the people of the Andaman Islands are Hindu; Christians make up
about one-fifth of the population and Muslims less than one-tenth. Many Nicobarese are
Christian, although some communities practice local religions or have adopted Hinduism,
which is prevalent throughout the region. There is also a notable Muslim minority in the
Nicobars.
.

TRIBES

THE GREAT ANDAMANESE

The Great Andamanese is a collective term used for 10 different tribes that lived in most of
the large islands in the Andaman. These tribes spoke different but related languages were of
Negrito origin and were related by culture and geography

When the British first tried to enter the island in around 1788-89 the Andamanese
tribes, with their total population of 5000-8000, were able to resist them, resulting in
the British to move to Port Cornwallis and withdraw from all attempts to obtain Port
Blair and Ross island for about 60 years.

However, they made another attempt to capture Port Blair in 1858 and succeeded, only
to be met by the soldiers of the Great Andamanese tribe in 1859. The battle between
the great Andamanese and the British regime is known as ‘The Aberdeen war’.

The tribe organized a well-planned attack on the high-ranking British officials but
they were betrayed by an escaped convict Dudhanth Tiwari who had lived with the
tribal for several months. As a result of the betrayal, the great Andamanese suffered
heavily. They were fighting with bows and arrows against guns and artillery. Most of
the young male population was killed in the battle. The population dwindled as and
threatened the genes for the future survival of the tribes. Imported diseases, to which
the islanders had no immunity, further affected the population and by 1901 only 625
great Andamanese were left.

They shifted base to Straight Island and that is where they live today .

THE ONGE

Onges are one of the most primitive tribes in India. They belong to the Negrito racial
stock and they have been mainly seen near the Dugong creek in Little Andaman. They
are dependent on the food provided by nature and are a semi-nomadic tribe.

The onge population fell post British colonization from 672 in 1986 to 92 in 1901 but
has remained stable since.

At present the Onge population have opened up to the locals in the island. They have
now experienced the impact of outsiders, as efforts at befriending them have proved
successful. They have been provided with pucca houses, food, clothes, medicine etc.
by the Administration. They eat turtle, fish, roots and jack fruits etc. They have
developed artistry and crafts. The Onges can make canoes. A primary school has also
been functioning at the Dugong Creek settlement of Onges. The population of this
tribe is stable and is at present 110. A major drawback is the addiction of the Dugong
mails to alcohol. 6 deaths have been reported because of this already. Enquiries into
ways of controlling this addiction are taking place.

THE JARAWA
The Jarawa are still at the primitive stage of life on earth. They entirely depend upon
forest and sea for food. Wild boar and monitor lizard are consumed. Various kinds of
fruit, honey, and tubers are parts of their diet too. The Jarwas of both sexes goes
completely naked. However, some ornaments made with shells and palm leaves are
worn by them but these are not in the sense to cover their nudity.

This tribe has lived in the southeast part of Andaman but after the British regime, they
shifted to the western region of the island. They have forever been hunter-gatherers in
the true sense however things have changed since the 1990’s especially after the
building of the old trunk road.
The great Andaman trunk road is a 360 km long road that connects Port Blair to the
western regions of Andaman. Though it proves beneficial for tourism and business, it
has proved life-threatening for the Jarawas. This trunk road cuts through the jungles
that are home to the Jarawa community .

THE SENTINELESE
The Sentinelese people are said to be so hostile that their home has been named the
‘hardest place to visit in the world.

They inhabit the North Sentinel Island and are the only remaining tribe in the
Andamans to still maintain their isolation from the rest of the world. Nobody knows
exactly how they look, the population, or how they live. Since 1967, the Indian
governments with the help of anthropologists have tried to make contact with the
tribe. They tried giving gifts of food, coconuts, etc but they were always met with
hostility. The tribe showers arrows and stones at whoever comes near the island.

In 2006, 2 fishermen who were fishing illegally near the island were shot by
Sentinelese archers. The helicopters which were sent to retrieve the bodies were also
greeted by arrows. After the tsunami, the government again tried to help them by
sending a few employees to the island with gifts but again, the same response
followed. Presently the policy of the Indian government is to leave the Sentinelese
alone. Any access to North Sentinel Island is strictly forbidden .

THE SHOMPHEN
The Shompens, who live in the Great Nicobar Island, are a semi-nomadic tribe that
was first discovered by Steen Bille a Danish admirer in 1846.

LANGUAGE AND RELIGION

HINDI is the official language of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while English is
declared an additional official language for communication purposes. As of the 2011
census, Bengali is spoken as the first language by 28.49 per cent of the Union Territory's
population followed
by Tamil (15.20%), Telugu (13.24%), Hindi (12.91%), Nicobarese (7.65%)
and Malayalam (7.22%). Sadri (5.53%), and tribal
languages Kurukh (3.96%), Mundari (1.22%) and Kharia (1.07%) are also spoken by
Adivasis originally from the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

The majority of people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Hindus (69.45%),

with Christians forming a large minority of 21.7% of the population, according to the 2011
census of India. There is a significant Muslim (8.51%) minority.

LANGUAGE PIE CHART OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND

Famous places
 ROSS ISLAND
It is the one of the most popular destinations in the Andaman and Nicobar Island located near
Port Blair, back in earlier times. It was famous as headquarters Of the British colony. NOW,
the Island is under the Indian navy control houses, numerous Churches and a small museum,
smritika which reminisces the British way of life. A visit to Ross island penal colony would
make you learn about how the inmates spent their lives during the time of movement.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island(Ross Island), formerly known as Ross Island, is an

island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South
Andaman administrative district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  The island is situated 3 km
[6]

(2 mi) east from central Port Blair. The historic ruins are a tourist attraction.

Ross island was named after marine surveyor, Daniel Ross. In December 2018, it was
renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island as a tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose.[7]

There is a pathway up to the northern end of the Island, where the new concrete 10 m high
circular lighthouse Tower was constructed in 1977, on an offshoot rock about 50 metres
(160 ft) away from the shore line. The tower is approachable during the low tide. It was at
this lighthouse that photo voltaic panels were introduced for the first time in India, to charge
the batteries for the operation of light.

From 1942 to 1945, the island was occupied by the Japanese. The Government House
became the residence of the Japanese admiral for three years (from March 1942 to October
1945). It was during this period that subhas Chandra Bose, who took the help of Japanese in
his fight against the British, stayed at the Island for a day in December 1943. Netaji also
hoisted the national tricolour at the top of the Government House

Havelock Island
Situated 70 K.M from the capital Port Blair, the Havelock Island has been at the spotlight of
the Andaman Tourism for more than a decade. The island boasts some of the most well
defined spots of attraction with a perfect mixture of tropical jungle and white sand beaches

Havelock Island is part of Ritchie’s Archipelago, in India’s Andaman Islands. It’s known for
its dive sites and beaches, like Elephant Beach, with its coral reefs. Crescent-shaped
Radhanagar Beach is a popular spot for watching the sunset. On the island’s east side, rocky
sections mark long, tree-lined Vijay agar Beach. The island's forested interior is home to
birdlife such as white-headed mynas and woodpeckers. ―
One of the most intriguing things about the Havelock Island is its lack of urban density. The
island has a very low population density, that makes sure you get as close to nature as
possible without having to see yet another urban city, which you probably are taking a break
from.

Jolly Buoy Island

An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, it offers a breath taking underwater
view of coral and marine life. It is an ideal place for snorkelling

To reach Jolly buoy island people have to come to Wandoor beach. This is located in
Mahatma Gandhi National Park. Wandoor beach is 30 Kms from Port Blair by road. This
route is same for visiting Red Skin Island also. Both Jolly buoy and Red skin are located at
Mahatma Gandhi National park. The boats to Jolly buoy island leaves by 9.00am. Make sure
to reach Wandoor beach before 9.00am. All the boats leave at the same time and come back
together. Prior permit and entry tickets are required to avail this trip. You can submit your
permit and trip request at  and they get the tickets and permits booked on your behalf. You
might have to send your photo if proof to avail the permit. The other way is to stand in a long
queue in front of the Tourism office to get permits. However, it gets extremely difficult to
purchase the tickets because of long queues by local islanders. Visitors can enjoy the
underwater coral view through glass bottom boat. As a standard trip, while getting down from
the ship and transferring to the island through small boats, visitors will be taken through a
ride and will be shown these under water corals through glass bottom. This is for only a very
short duration (5 to 10 minutes). People willing to see more of these can hire a boat
independently and enjoy. Additional amount has to be paid (INR 50 to 100) for each ride for
30 to 45 minutes. Additional amount has to be paid also for snorkelling and scuba diving.

BARREN ISLAND VOLCANO

The volcano on Barren Island erupted on August 24, 2005. A part of India, Barren Island is
one of the Andaman Islands, and lies over the fault whose movement caused the tsunami on
December 26, 2004. It is a stratovolcano composed of lava. Barren Island is an island located
in the Andaman Sea. It is the only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent, and
the only active volcano along a chain of volcanoes from Sumatra to Myanmar. The first
recorded eruption of the volcano dates back to 1787. Since then, the volcano has erupted
more than ten times, with the most recent one being in 2020. [11] After the first recorded
eruption in 1787, further eruptions were recorded in 1789, 1795, 1803–04, and 1852. After
nearly one and a half century of dormancy, the island had another eruption in 1991 that lasted
six months and caused considerable damage.
NEIL ISLAND (NATURAL ROCK FORMATION)
Neil’s famous attraction is a natural bridge formation locally known as the Howrah
Bridge. To see this natural “wonder” one has to visit the rocky beach No. 2 at low tide
when it is possible to walk on its dead corals and rocks to reach the attraction.

For some, the sea creatures seen here could also be interesting. You can find small
fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and on some parts you can even see
colourful corals are slowly growing again. The rocky surface can get slippery at some
parts and many are sharp so one must take care while walking .

North Bay island

North Bay Island in Andaman is most preferred by tourists for its breathtaking coral
reefs and exhilarating adventure activities. Interestingly, the picture of an island on the
back of a 20 Rupee note is of North Bay Island.

North Bay Island competes with some of the most beautiful islands all over the world
when it comes to attracting tourists. Activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, sea
walking, and glass boat rides are what allures tourists the most. You will find more
things to do here than at Neil Island or HavelocK

There are a plethora of snorkelling and scuba diving operators at the island, verified by
the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Witness the incredible marine
life up close, swim with the vibrant schools of fishes and admire the beautiful corals. If
you are not much of a swimming person, go for a sea walk or a glass boat ride (best for
children and elderly). All marine activities here will leave you in awe.

You must choose the activities depending on the weather. If the sky is cloudy, the
visibility will be low, and you won't be able to get the best out of the activities you
choose. The guides and instructors are professional and friendly; there is no compromise
on quality.

3 to 4 hours are enough on this Island to soak it all in. Whether you spend the day
relaxing in a hammock or treat yourself with some thrill, you are surely bound to have a
great time here.

CELLULAR JAIL
The Cellular Jail, also known as Kālā Pānī (. 'Black Water'), was a colonial prison in
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The prison was used by the British government for
the purpose of exiling political prisoners to the remote archipelago. Many notable activists,
including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, Hare Krishna Konar, Shiv
Verma, Yogendra Shukla, and Sudhanshu Dasgupta were imprisoned here during the struggle
for India's independence.
Today, the complex serves as a national memorial monument. Although the prison complex
itself was constructed between 1896 and 1906, the British had been using the Andaman
Islands as a prison since the days in the immediate aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of
1857Shortly after the rebellion was suppressed, captured prisoners were put on trial, with
many of them being executed. Others were exiled for life to the Andamans to prevent them
from re-offending.
Two hundred rebels were transported to the islands under the custody of the jailer David
Barry and Major James Pattison Walker, a military doctor who had been warden of the prison
at Agra. Another 733 from Karachi arrived in April, 1868. In 1863, the Rev. Henry Fisher
Corbyn, of the Bengal Ecclesiastical Establishment, was also sent out there and he set up the
'Andamanese Home' there, which was also a repressive institution albeit disguised as a
charitable one.[ Rev
. Corbyn was posted in 1866 as Vicar to St. Luke's Church, Abbottabad, and later died there
and is buried at the Old Christian Cemetery, Abbottabad. More prisoners arrived from India
and Burma as the settlement grew.[5] Anyone who belonged to the Mughal royal family, or
who had sent a petition to Bahadur Shah Zafar during the Rebellion was liable to be deported
to the island. The British Raj sent Indian dissidents and mutineers to a remote island penal
colony in an 'experiment' that involved torture, medical tests, forced labour and, for many,
death."[12] In response to poor conditions in the prison, including the quality of prison food,
numerous prisoners went on hunger strikes. Those who did were force fed by the prison
authorities.[12]
Solitary confinement was implemented as the British colonial government desired to ensure
that political prisoners and revolutionaries be isolated from one another. The Andaman Island
served as the ideal setting for the colonial government to achieve this.

LIFE as female convict in cellular jail

Women life convicts had two classes to traverse- first three years of the punishment
ward and the remaining years thereafter either outside the prison in marriage or
domestic employment with consent of the authorities or else continuation of prison
life in barracks with in tar mural work and possibility of rising to petty official
positions. A woman life convicts was free to leave after 15 years, but married one has
to wait till her husband’s term was complete. Term convicts of the both person stayed
in prison on usual conditions for their whole term and were released at once on the
expiry of their conviction periods.
 `Lifestyle of people of Andaman
The lifestyle of Modern Inhabitants of the Island

With the spread of civilization, inhabitants of the Emerald islands have embraced modernity
and urban cosmopolitan culture. The present-day population includes Punjabis, Bengalis, and
South Indians etc. They have become educated and literate. Despite being isolated, modern
people. Modern city life has improved with the advent of posh hotels and resorts and
restaurants. Now, you will find bars and pubs as well in the island with night entertainment.

FOODS AND DRUGS

 The Andamanese gather fruit and tubers from the forest; collect turtle eggs, mollusc
and massive land crabs from near the shore; and hunt turtles, dugongs and wild pigs

 Even before tobacco was introduced the Andamanese smoked aromatic leaves in
pipes made from crab claws. They are reputedly heavy smokers

 Cooking was traditionally done in hand-molded clay cooking pots. But these have
now been replaced by metal pots and pans

 Most of the Adivasis took part in hunting along with fishing to gather food. They
also recognize several beneficial plants. They don’t, however, know about how to
produce fire and cook food. Wild pigs, Molluscs, dugongs, turtles, and monitor lizards
formed the main part of their sustenance which they killed by hunting. The ocean was
a great source of food. Women would catch fish with baskets. They were basically
nomads but remained secluded from people. Overall their food habits were simple.
 HOMES AND CAVES

  In the relative dry season from October to February they stay close to the coast and
sleep in simple lean-to huts that are organized in a circle around a central

 When the Andamanese migrate to the forest in the wet season, they stay in more
sturdy huts. They sleep on four-foot-long wooden sleeping platform cots, 70
centimetres off the ground

MARRIAGES AND CUSTOMS

Widows and widowers often are the first pick of new marriageable partners. Newly
married couples often live with the mother’s family until a child is born.
Adoption is common. The nuclear family is the most basic and essential social unit. It
consists of married couples, their children and adopted children.

THE ANDAMANESE ARE MONOGAMOUS. DIVORCE IS RARE AND

UNKNOWN AFTER THE BIRTH OF CHILD UNFAITHFULNESS AFTER
MARRIAGE IS NOT COMMON AND POLYANDRY, POLYGAMY, BIGAMY,
INCEST ARE UNKNOWN. MARRIAGE AFTER DEATH OR DIVORCE OF ONE
PARTY IS USUAL.

HUNTING AND FISHING

 The Andaman islanders have traditionally not practiced agriculture. Among the items
they collect from the forest are yams, larvae

 ” Fishing has traditionally been done with bows arrows while standing in knee-deep
water, especially at low tide. Skilled hunters can shoot six or seven fish at a go

CLIMATE
The climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tropical but is moderated by sea breezes.
Temperatures typically rise from the low 70s F (about 23 °C) into the mid-80s F (about 30
°C) daily throughout the year. The territory receives roughly 120 inches (3,000 mm) of rain
annually, brought mainly by the southwest monsoon, which blows from May through
September, and by the tropical cyclones that follow in October and November. In the
Nicobars, Great Nicobar receives considerably more rain than the other islands. The
Andamans have long provided meteorological data for shipping in the Bay of Bengal; a
reporting station was in operation at Port Blair as early as 1868.

On the Andaman Islands, located between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, at about
10/13 degrees north latitude, the climate is tropical, hot all year round, with a dry season from
January to April and a rainy season from May to November due to the Indian monsoon.
The temperatures are stable throughout the year, however, before the rainy season, in March
and April, the hottest time of the year occurs. Here are the average temperatures in Port Blair,
the capital, located on the island of South Andaman.
Precipitation is abundant, and amounts to almost 3,000 millimetres (120 inches) per year.
The rains begin in May, and are very frequent. They decrease during the month of November,
and become quite rare in December.

From December to April, the sun regularly shines, while from June to September, the sky is
often cloudy.

The islands lie in the path of tropical cyclones; they are formed more easily between April
and December, with two peaks at the beginning and at the end of the period (so, in April-June
and October-December). However, given the warm sea, in theory, they can form all year
round.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Isolation of Andaman Islands led to the evolution of many endemic plants and animals
species of 62 identified mammals 32 are unique to the island. Among them andamna wild
pig, crab eating macaque ,masked palm civet, tree shrews and bat,nicobar pigeon are famous.
Coming to flora, garcinia andamnica king, dillenia indica, micromelum minitum (scientific
names) are some example

The Andamans are home to some of the richest varieties of flora and fauna, with 86%
of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands covered in primary tropical rainforests. Of the
2000 plus species of plants that grow on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, at least
1,300 are exclusive and not found in mainland India.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are home to nine national parks and nearly a
hundred marine and wildlife sanctuaries that offer extraordinary experiences and
diverse ecosystems. Interview Island, 3 hours off Mayabunder, houses the largest
wildlife sanctuary in the Andamans. The Landfall Island Wildlife Sanctuary is great
for spotting wildlife in their natural habitats and is popular for its water sports. Mount
Harriet National Park offers some of the richest butterfly diversity in the world and
the Andaman Islands are home to some of the largest butterflies globally.

The Andamans are also a bird-watching hot spot with at least 240 species of birds
found here. The state bird of Andaman – the Andaman wood pigeon, the Narcondam
hornbill found exclusively in the Narcondam islands, the Andaman scop’s owl, the
blue-eared kingfisher, and the fulvous breasted woodpecker can be spotted extensively
here. At least two species of wild boars, feral elephants, four species of sea turtles,
and wild salt-water crocodiles make the Andaman Islands a wildlife hotspot

LAND
The Andamans comprise more than 300 islands. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known
collectively as Great Andaman, are the main islands; others include Landfall Island,
Interview Island, the Sentinel Islands, Ritchie’s Archipelago, and Rutland Island. Little
Andaman in the south is separated from the Nicobar Islands by the Ten Degree Channel,
which is about 90 miles (145 km) wide. He Nicobars consist of 19 islands. Among the most
prominent are Car Nicobar in the north; Camorta, Katchall, and Nancowry in the centre of the
chain; and Great Nicobar in the south. About 90 miles to the southwest of Great Nicobar lies
the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia

Relief and drainage

Both the Andaman and Nicobar groups are part of a great island arc, formed by the above-sea
extensions of submarine ridges of the Rakhine Mountains and the Patkai Range to the north
and the Mentawai Ridge (the peaks of which form the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia) to the
south. The highest elevation is 2,418 feet (737 metres) at Saddle Peak on North Andaman,
followed by Mount Thullier at 2,106 feet (642 metres) on Great Nicobar and Mount Harriet at
1,197 feet (365 metres) on South Andaman. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there
were volcanic eruptions on Barren Island in the northern Andamans.

FESTIVALS
 Panguni Utthiram. This is the most important festival of the islands honouring Lord
Vertimalai Murugan. ...

 Island Tourism Festival. This is among the biggest festivals of Andaman and Nicobar
Islands. ...

 Monsoon Music Festival. Sway to the beats of well-known DJs as music takes over
the islands during the Monsoon Music Festival.

 Durga pooja, ganesh pooja,ayyappa pooja, pig festival are other common occasion

 There are many extravagant festivals that add zing to the aura. Besides the usual
Durga Puja and Laxshmi Puja, Janmashtami, Island Tourism Festival, and Subhash
Mela are celebrated with pomp and grandeur.

 Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is considered an extremely

auspicious occasion. Houses are painted and decorated. The main charm of the night
is the Raas Leelas where natives depict the life of Lord Krishna and enact his story
 through plays. Followers abstain from eating till midnight after which the special food
that is offered to the deity and distributed among the followers. The food served is
vegetarian.

 Island Tourism Festival is an extravaganza that lasts for 10 days. There are dance and
drama taking place in the event which makes it entertaining for the spectators.
Exhibitions are also organized with fascinating art displays, aqua sports, and
parasailing. You will be able to capture the vibe, spirit, and essence of the culture of
the island more vividly through it. You will also get the opportunity to know the
languages, religions, customs, and beliefs of the indigenous people during these 10
days. The festival organized mainly during the months of December and January.

 Subhash Mela is another popular indigenous festival of the island which is all about
celebrating handicrafts from native and foreign artists. There are interesting cultural
programs in the event that last for 1 week during the month of January

PROBLEMS FACED BY ANDAMANES

 The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are at extreme risk of becoming uninhabitable
because of rising sea levels. “Many low-lying cities and small islands at most latitudes
will experience such [extreme sea level] events annually by 2050,

 Although India’s Supreme Court in 2002 ordered that the highway through the
Jarawa’s reserve should be closed, it remains open – and tourists use it for ‘human
safaris’ to the Jarawa

Poachers enter the Jarawa’s forest and steal the animals the tribe rely on for their survival.
They have also introduced alcohol and marijuana and are known to sexually abuse Jarawa
women.

Other problems the Andaman and Nicobar are facing—from deforestation, sand mining
to resource stress introduced by tourist influx

PERMITS
 ALL FOREIGNERS NEED PERMIT TOT VISIT THESE ISLANDS AND IT IS
ISSUED FREE ON ARRIVAL

 THE 30 DAYS PERMIT ALLOWED FOREIGNERS TO STAY AT A PORT BLAIR.

 MOST CIVIL SERVANTS COME TO PORT BLAIR ON 2 YEARS POSTING FROM
MAIN LAND

THE PERMIT ALSO ALLOWS DAYS TRIP TO JOLLY BUOY, SOUTH CINQUE,
RED SKIN, ROSS ISLAND

FUN FACTS
 The largest sea turtles in the world nest here

 Dugong, the gentle sea cow, is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
 Pandunus or Nicobar Breadfruit is a rare fruit found and widely eaten in Nicobar
 The extremely narrow limestone Alfred Caves are home to Swiftlet birds that make
edible nests
 The 20 rupee note depicts a scene from Andaman and Nicobar islands
 REFERENCES
 https://www.webindia123.com/territories/andaman/people/customs.htm#:~:
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands
 https://www.swantour.com/blogs/festivals-of-andaman-and-nicobar-islands/
 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/reviews/islands-face-existential-threat-
59536#:~:text=The%20book%20delves%20into%20other,capital%20city
%20of%20Port%20Blair
 https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/82849
 https://www.britannica.com/place/Andaman-and-Nicobar-Islands
 https://www.excitingandaman.com/lifestyle-of-andaman-and-nicobar-
islands.html
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_Jail