Andaman Islands

Tourists from all over the world travel round several countries to enjoy as well as visualize the land, the climate, the people and the Historical monuments found in that place. Even places which are least spoken off have many tourist spots to enjoy. Andaman tourism in South-east Asia is the best option for travelling into some islands there. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a plethora of tourist spots which remain still unexplored. Avisit to the islands can only speak of its beauty.

The reserved and protected forests of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92 %. 50 % of the forests are covered by Tribal Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are considered to be the epicentre of andaman and nicobar tourism. Luxuriant mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy nearly 5 % of the territory. More than 150 plant and animal species are found here. The Islands are considered to be a birds paradise - more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the pictaresque landscape, out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar Pigeon are some of the specialities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Chatham Saw Mill is the first important attraction of the andaman tour. One of Asia's largest saw mills, Chatham Saw Mill was built here during the British rule. Expensive woods like Patak, Marble, Curzon and Satin wood are all cut into various sizes of planks, blocks and sleepers. They are dropped in chemical solutions and then sold. These are used for the islanders as well as the people of other states for their requirements. They must get permits to use these woods for houses, government offices and factories. Containers cater these huge logs of woods by ships to other states in India. Around 1000 employees work in this mill and is owned by the government. Andaman tourists can have a glance of the process in this mill.

The next attraction in the andaman tour is a museum undertaken by the forest department in Hadoo, which is a storehouse of all kinds of trees available in the islands. The trees and its kinds are exhibited by their names. Wooden handicrafts are displayed and also sold here. Hadoo also has a mini zoo where rare species of birds, crocodiles, monkeys, foxes, pythons, deer, wild goats, pigs, parrots and pigeons are found. Then there is a Naval Marine museum set up at Samudrika in Hadoo where Corals, Shells, Fish, and a lot of sea creatures are found. Navy's costumes, equipments and weapons are displayed vividly in the musuem. Few documentaries on the islands are also found here. The andaman tour then includes a Anthropological museum in Phoenix Bay where the weapons, pottery, hut models, wooden boats and the photographs of the native tribes are displayed. Various cultural heritages of the tribes of the island are displayed in this musuem. One of the most memorable places to visit during the andaman tour is the Cellular Jail located in Atlanta point which was constructed by the Britishers. The Jail stands as a symbol of cruelty and brutality the Britishers inflicted on the Indian freedom fighters.

The andaman and nicobar island tourism is incomplete without visiting The Fishers Museum which is located at the Aberdeen jetty. Many strange sea creatures and fishes can be observed in the musuem. Fishes of great quality are exported from here. One who is inquisitive regarding fishes, this museum is a must watch. There is a beach next to the capital city of Port Blair called Corbyn's Cove Beach which has a natural and picturesque coastline, surrounded by coconut palms. The favourite sports here are sea swimming, sun bathing, and beach combing and riding. A restaurant nearby makes it a perfect place to enjoy the delicacies of the island. People who are able to afford a luxury lifestyle stay in the Star hotel which faces the coastline making the stay in the island a memorable one. There is a Water Sports complex located at Aberdeen jetty named Aberdeen Water Sports where rowing boats, Pedal boats, Kayaks aqua cycle, Aqua glides and Bumper are available. A marine park is situated near Aberdeen jetty. An amusement park, this place is best suited for family picnic. There is a toy train and a traffic park which explains traffic rules and road safety measures to the children. A sound and light show takes place in the Cellular Jail where one can witness the gory sights of the torture that Britishers inflicted on the Indian Freedom fighters.The show takes place both in Hindi and English at specific times. Tickets are available at the entrance of the jail. The Sipicot central agricultural research centre which is affiliated to the central government is near Port Blair, about 14 kms away from the city. This centre cultivates experimental crops, vegetables, essences and perfumes. The area is on a stretch of about 80acres.

Wandoor Beach and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a beautiful locale situtated 29km away from the capital city of Port Blair. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has been constructed on these islands which stretch about 281.50 sq kms. People come across coral reefs, deep sea animals and mangrove forests here. A pristine coastline adds beauty to the beach. Andaman tourists thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty of the park.

A 10 day andaman tourism festival is held every year in the Islands. The festival is organized in order to popularise andaman and nicobar tourism. Both government and private enterprises have their stalls during this festival. We can find both North Indian, South Indian artists exhibit their talents in music, dance, poetry and debates. Every year the festival takes place during the second week of February. The inauguration of the festival is done by some eminent personalities from India. During these 10 days, the capital city of Port Blair remains crowded all the time.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered to be one of the most riveting tourist destinations of the world. Away from all noise and chaos, this place provides the required peace and relaxation that a human mind demands after all the fluctuations it witnesses in the daily life of the human civilization. Island tourism suits best in these picturesque islands.