Chapter 5
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Case Study
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise a chains of 572 islands, islets,
reefs and isolated rocks spread in the Bay of Bengal at a distance of about 1,200 km
from the east coast of mainland India. They extend to a length of 700 km between the
lower Burma and the upper Sumatra region of Indonesia (latitude 6° and 14°N and
longitude 92° and 94°E). The Andaman group with 278 islands form the northern part
of the chain while the Nicobar group in the south separated from the main group by
160 km high seas, around 1oo channel, has 28 islands. The major land mass is occupied
by North, Middle and South Andaman islands, which are separated from each other
by narrow channels.
Geologically the Andaman islands form a Southward continuation of the
Arakan Yoma range. The two principal rock series encountered in the Andamans are
of sedimentary origin and are distinguished as the Port Blair and Ritche's Archipelago
series. Some altered igneous intrusions and some volcanic rocks are also associated
with these. We can summaries the geographical and physical profile of Andaman and
Nicobar islands as follows.
Geographical Profile
( 1) Location
(a) Latitudes- 6°45' N to 13°41' N
(b) Longitudes- 92°12' E to 93°57' E
(2) Total area- 8,249 sq. km.
I
(3) Temperature- 16.7°- 36.1.° C
127
MAP-3
'l
ft.ND~MAN
AND NICOBAR
Af'".~INISTHA TIVf
I
I
'
I
,.
.
..
I
I
DIVISIONS 1~81
-;n
t4
'
'I
:J(;IJ!,
T
l Ondf0 1 1 I
<},
i
I
ISLANDS, INDIA
.... • •
..
TAHSil
:.:>~.rl•<;t~>Aflllf
~
i
"fA~OVART(A'
I
... AQ(,:,r._.;.
....,... ,
l
.. (a•.Q<.t.qT <.AS
wf AOOv.t.f< T(;.
'CT
'
c,.:,tl<h •
0
I
.'
..
I
'""' 40
JO
0
40 km
,~~~
I
i
I
I <
!_!J__
I
i
l
•:o·. ,_
j ~
I
I .. -.
.
I
~;
A
•j ~ t.~~·G ~;
.
.;;::(-
~
.
~.;
I
~
4
I
...... ,
I
'
I
..,J
6AA.\h1
"{
~
••-o•••
.
12)..
•
ll
~
e
0
~
~
tQ
•
6
l ,, "
,.
.
••
'
".
.
© .; ....
"'·.
Source: Census of India, 1981
,.
127A
...
.
t
l
MAP-4
jANDAMAN AND NICOBAR
ISLANDS
L.
__ ,_ .....
----
I
.......... ,.
CHAHHH
coco
~·
. / L-.
·~:..
;z
0
;to
~
..
.j
;;:z:
,..
N 0 II T H
,,.,.
('
..
l
>
z
~'
•.1:1
i
'>
3
'
N lttf I(?'
>
I
,,z
t
. ---+---+-- ----r-- ...
I.
11·-
"!"r
1:1;
1:1
"'·
1-
'"
>
~
•
I
'
1:1
•
>
>
I'
'
3
>
z
I·
··I
···•
-----1
H••elo<k
.
,)
•
S 0
U
T
~
"
1'1
0
t(] Nooll
q.
.t
'
111' H . . . ••••
I
"'
0
c
--1
.,J
:c
'.:
>
' z
··~·.,,.
ht
'
\ttt•'•
0
It
)>
I
.I
1278
,. . ···h ......
--1
·I..
~Ooo~tftl
,.,,.,,,. •
1
N•tth lrttt h•r
I
0
-l
..
I
s_, .. ,,.....
#
z
I
~I
..;
I,~
!•
.
~,.,
,,L
~
..
L.
11
-.
~
'
..II
t·
.;
!
l I T. ..;1:L l
A N.
A N
..
o'Ntt
;,
~
O.l•.,..e•r fo · ·
II
.....__
'I
~
t
__
...~·
..
\
., :v
. !'.i
""
.~
:\
1
j!
I
.i
~
"-•l.
-.
.
~
--· ·- -
Tf:.~
'
.j-
'
.
-+- -
DCGAEf.
:----+- ._-C HANHf l
·t
l.
I
·-·
~---
JI
I
·,
'.
~
Source: Atlas of India
T
.
.
r - - .. --·-·- ·---- .
(4) Mean annual rainfall- 3,180 mm.
(5) Average Relative humidity - 77 per cent
(6) E.E.Z. - 6,00,000 sq. km.
(7) Total Coast Line- 1,962 km.
(8) Area under forests- 7,094 sq. km
(9) Area under plantation - 300 sq. km
(10) Area under cultivation- 150 sq. km.
Source: 1/PA, 1991, New Delhi
The general topography of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar has been
defined as mostly hilly and undulating. "The main hill range runs from north to south.
The 732 meter high saddle peak in the NQrth Andaman is the highest point in these
islands. Long and narrow stretch of sandy beaches are salient features of their
topography. The territory can be differentiated physiographically into four subdivisions,
namely, hill region, rolling to undulating uplands, flood plains and coastal plains. The
coastal tract covers saline marshy areas, undulating uplands and salt affected patches.
The low lying areas near the sea coast or river mouths are subjected to inundation
with tidal saline water." 1
The climate of these islands is humid tropical coast climate as where the
mean monthly temperatures are higher than 18°C throughout the year and where
rainfall in the driest month exceeds 60mm. The daily temperature variation ranges
from a minimum of 22°C in the early morning to a maximum of about 34 oc at the
(1) G.B. Kloss, "The Andaman and Nicobars", Vivek Publishing House, New Delhi,
1971.
128
MAP-5
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
DISTRICT. ANDAMANS
I
CENSUS CODE 0 I
REGIONAL DIVISIONS
~
0::\)
. ,.
Landfall I.
A••'·:.
Wut IV)
White Cliff l,
('
.0 ~i
ru
.(I....\;{\
. 1~lz.,
s-~·,
):
"-,North~
__
'
•
•••Tobie Ia.
i
·
OIGLIPUR TEHSIL
•
~ot?~o )\~"'olh
~Andomon
·••' <"" 0
1
~
Reefl•
Pagett
R .. r
Oe:oatl. .
II
0 "''::0
•
-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·)t·~slon~
.,,,
•
\
·,. •
eOI LIPUR
\ To"aC.a1t..... ~
"'
~i"
a&M&I<IIl\I'NA , . . . .
...
4 4 11._ ...· - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · -
N R .. fl:}
.. ·····
MAYABUNOER TEHSIL
·-·~·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·\..)III!AOGI..U.C..J,4.
RANGAT TEHSIL
-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-
ERRARGUN ...'
TEHSIL
vNeill.
0Str Hugn Raul.
-
PORT BLAIR TEHSIL
,,
... "
ftr"le
1281(
,
...
:....
4 ·4 ·1·1
THE NORTHERN REGION
4·4·1·2
THE CENTRAL.. REGION
4 · 4 ·I· 3
THE SOUTHERN REGION
-.
.
z
·INDEX
o The Sisters'
11
BOUNDARY, DISTRICT
,
ROAD
<(
TEHSIL .
....
-·--·-
---:-.-. -·
RIVER/STREAM
~
·~South &,.ott...,,. I
VILLAGE HAVING 1000 AND ABOVE
POPULATION WITH NAME • • . . ..
URBAN AREA WITH POPULATION SIZE ..
WIM8(Ri..YCUN,
•
··ICL.ASS ::: l
REGIONAL DIVISION .
Ldtle Andomon I.
.)
.
1 PAMAo<A">HNAI>VR
I'
/
4·4·1·1
wctn=z .. j
MESO
~-:-x-.~_;
MICRO
r
<
-
. ---. ·-.
SUB-MICRO
--. - ..,_.---. -.-. --
DISlRtCT
NICOBARS
I
I Read the sequence of Regtonol DiviSions with
reference to the all Indio codes upto 3 tier]
I()
•
2C
ttt
MACRO ...
·.~ .... ,
Source: Census of India, 1981
·-
I II
brightest and hottest noon. The islands are exposed to both the North-East and SouthWest Monsoon winds.
Flora
The Andaman & Nicobar (A & N) islands are the repository of an immense
variety of flora. The priestine nature of rainforest of A & N islands is very important in
the context that in many parts of the world the rainforests are among the most swiftly
disappearing biodiversity.
"The Andaman and Nicobar islands group is extraordinarily rich and unique
in biological diversity. Because the flora of the Indian main land on the one hand and
that of Burmese and Malaysian regions on the other are nurshing with it. Three kinds
of soils found in the Andaman and the Nicobar is lands are red sandy, mountain and
alluvial. Forests occupy about 75 per cent of the land area in the territory." 2
The Tropical forests of this region are mainly two types- Tropical green and
Tropical Moist deciduous. It supports more than 230 species of 44 are commercially
utilisable.
The Tropical evergreen forests are rich in species of plants than the mainland
evergreen vegetation. The dominant species is Dipterocarpus Grandis in hilly areas,
D. Kerrii is prominent in the southern part of the archipelago. Pterocarpus delbergioides
and terminalia are dominant species in tropical moist deciduous forests. These forests
have a shrubby evergreen undergrowth which includes patches of bamboo. Since
1960 the human population ofthe And a man has grown from 50,000 to about 2.8 lakhs
in 1990-91. This increasing population has exploited forest resources and natural
vegetation in coastal low land areas. This activity of human has destroyed and disturbed
(2) C. J. Saldanha, "Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep: An Environmental Impact
Assesment." Oxford, IBH, Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1989, pp. 1-114.
129
C.lNtUI 0, INOlA
MAP"
MAP.e
ANOAMAN t MCOBAR 1SLANDS
I
DISTRICT NICOBARS
CENSUS CODE 02
'
REGIONt\L DIVISIONS
?·
~ ltl41
\:.
:-:-==:~-- --·l~- ~
'
,,,
10
...
•
===-=;=-.?{·
,.,~,.
,.
\
lott1 Molv I.
-·-·-·-·-
-·-·-·- --·-
'oll~~(Mnq I
1,)
'
(
• 1\le or' Mor 1
'·'
0
l<atcholll.
..
TEHStt
INDEX
., 4 I 1 NICOSARESE REGION
4 4 .I 2 SHOM PENS REGION
Coro• retf
4.4.1.1
•.(
..
BOUNDARY, TEHSIL ..
'I Meroe lt.
ROADS
RIVER/STREAM
...
VILLAGE HAVING 1000 AND ABOVE
«EGIONAL
\'tf\CilO· I
CA..,tKtl BAY
DIVISIO~;
4. 4. I. 2
Little
:~~~J
'AACRO
'.'i..SO
·•·cRv
~,
~co cod~s
ll
upto 3
D
Nu~obor
1 •
C:atuo
r~~
"c ,.~c· of Rf'Qionol Divisions with reference to
,.
·(
•
.:>QPUL A TION WITH NAME
I
I
.,.
~~~~
A
N
---oiiioiioilli-iiiiOioiiiiiiiiio___ _." ... - · - - ·
Source: Cen1u1 of lnd/1, 1811
129A
l
i
l
'
much of the natural vegetation and the fauna dependent on it. The interior region
relatively undeveloped and less exploited.
The flora of Nicobar islands is closely allied to that of Sumatra and Malaysia.
Tropical broad leaves evergreen forests are prominent here. Agricultural activities have
pressurised these forests to a great extent.
The coastal margins of both the archipelago support the mangrove forest,
beach forests and various other littoral communities.
The commercially valuable trees found in the islands include coconut and
betelnuts; pandanus casuarina is also being planted in this Union Territory. Common
fruits grown include orange, lemon, mango, Sapota, guava, custard apple, papaya
and banana. Pineapple bread fruit and jack fruit are also found.
Tapioca, sweet potato and sugarcane plantation exist in the interior of the
islands. Cashewnuts have also been introduced and are thriving very well. Red-oil
palm plantation have started bearing the fruits under guidance of Forest and Plantation
Development Corporation of Andaman and Nicobar Island. Yams of various varieties
are also found. Peddy is the only food crop raised in the islands. Of the total geographical
area of 8,29,300 hectares, about 48,000 hectares of land are under agriculture and
allied activities. Out of it 12,000 hectares area is under peddy cultivation.
"The indigenous forests gradually receding because of plantation of exotic
plants by people and by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation
Development Corporation Limited, 1977. The corporation has undertaken plantation
of clove, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cashewnut, etc. It has also started plantation
of medical plant and certain plants which could be used in perfume and soap industries.
The Katchal Rubber Project is now transferred to this corporation which would increase
130
the land area for land plantation. The total value of the major and minor forest produce
in these is lands was about Rs. 15 crore in 1990-91. "3
The islands consists of a number of natural ecosystem which are partially or
completely closed in terms of flow of energy, nutrients and waters. The important ones
are:
(i) Mangrove dominant coastline- 35,000 hac. to more than 1,00,000 hac.
86 per cent of the.totalland area (41 per cent constitute tribal reserves and the remaining
forest only about 30 per cent) form actual exploitable forest area.
(ii) Tropical rainforests
(iii) Sandy beaches and rocky shores as Nesting sites of sea turtles and sea
snakes
(iv) Coral reefs are rich and diverse and are considered as rainforest of the
sea. The major types of coral reefs are patches and fringing reefs. These coral reefs
absorb the high wave energy and protect the shoreline. They offer shelter for a wide
variety of marine organisms and also act as breeding and nursery areas.
Fauna
There have around 255 species of birds, 70 species of fish and 7 species of
amphibians been identified in these islands. The islands harbour are in possession of
some unique and interesting animal species like crab eating Monkeys, Andaman Wild
Pig, Dugong, Salt Water Crocodile, Narcondam Hornbill, Nicobar Pigeon, Megapode
and Gaint Rubber Crab.
(3) S. C. Nair, ~'Natural Resources Conservation and Development in Andaman &
Nicobar Islands". M.A.B, 1984, pp. 1-76.
131
It is interesting that there is no dangerous wild animals found in A & N.
Common birds include the Imperial Pigeon, Green Pigeon, Golden Oriole, Kingfisher,
Common Sparrow, Babbler, Sun Bird, Green Parrot, Owl and Dove.
In the Nicobar island, there is also a fair sprinkling of wild fowls but the common
crow is totally absent, it is highly conspicuous. The Nicobar Pigeon is most often found
in both the Andaman and the Nicobar groups of islands. The rarest of rare birds, the
Megu pode is found only in Great Nicobar.
There is a large number of varieties of Deer, Wild Cat, Iguana and Pig. Wild
Goats roam the volcanic islands of Barren and Narcondam. The islands are also the
home of the green lizard. There are many varieties of snakes, some of them highly
poisonous, which include the cobra, hamadryad the blue krait, sea snakes, and two
kinds of pit viper. There are 78 species of reptiles amongst them, the Pathon and
centipede are here in abundance.
Two prominent types of sea birds, i.e., black fish-eagle and white sea gulls
have been spotted here. Bats are present in large numbers and are of a great delicacy.
Endemic birds areas of Andaman and Nicobar islands
Altitude(m)
Habitat(s)
Size(km2)
Species
Richness
Andaman
0-700
Forest
8,200
10.0
Nicobar
0-600
Forest
2,000
7.0
10,200
17.0
Total
-
-
132
Species Richness and Endemism of Land Snails
in Andaman and Nicobar islands:
Total Species
Endemic Species
81
Percentage of Endomism
93
75
The Threatened Birds of Andaman Islands are given follows:
(1) Narcondam Hornbill
(2) Nicobar Pigeon
(3) Brown chested Flycatcher
Nicobar Islands
(1) Nicobar Srubfowl
(2) Nicobar Pigeon
(3) Nicobar Parakeet
Source: Number of species/subspecies and endemics known from the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 1/PA, 1991.
The total no. of bird species threatened in Andaman and Nicobar islands is 9
(5 and 4 respectively), but no. of endemic bird species threatened is 6 ( 3 each in
Andaman and Nicobar Island).
Marine Life
These islands have a wide variety of marine life. The islands have beautiful
coral formations, sea shells of different sizes, various varieties of fish like sardines,
tuna, baracuda, mullets, markerols, starfish, flying fish, shark and dolphins have also
133
been spotted. Sea crocodiles are also common. The lobster, the crab and the oyster
are also found in abundance. Whales are also seen inside the Nancowrie harbour.
Other smaller sea creature include turtles, octopus and crabs of all kinds.
.
I
The Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands has coast line of nearly
2000 km. and a continental shelf of 16,056 kms. For commercial fishing in deeper of
the seas, the Administration has proposed the establishment of Fisheries Development
Corporation to exploit tunna and other ocean varieties.
Causes of Extinction of Native Fauna and Flora
The ever increasing population has exploited forest resources and natural
vegetation in coastal lowland areas. This human activity has destroyed and disturbed
much of the local biodiversity of this archipelago. The interior region relatively
undeveloped and less exploited. The clearing afforests for settlements and agriculture,
the cutting of mangroves for industrial and domestic fuel, have resulted in depletion of
floral biodiversity.
"The extraction of wood from forests which were around 49,000 metric tonnes
from 4 species in 1950 have touched 1,45,000 metric tonnes from 40 species at
present. Forest plantation of exotic timber species have been failures and only natural
regeneration of local species and the canopy lifting system have been regarded as the
best way of restocking the island forests. The introduction of exotic plants, menace
from cattle, goats and deer and enchroachment by human beings are serious threats
for natural regeneration of forests. The introduction of rubber plantation and red oil
palm plantation in A & N have removed the unique forest types in those areas of
crops." 4
(4) Ibid.
134
Conservation of Biodiversity in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Both islands group have species assembleges not found elsewhere in India
·and they are thus very important for conservation. For fulfilling conservation processes.
six National Parks and 94 Wildlife Sactuaries covering 708 sq. km. have already been
created on the A & N islands. Of the existing protected area system 500 sq. km. is
terristrial. This represents 6 per cent of islands combined area of 8,327 sq. km. However,
the vast majority of protected areas are small islet reserves (57 have an area of less
than 1 sq. km. only eight covers more than 10 sq. km.) Further more, the larger and
biologically more significant islands ofthe Andaman archipelago (North, Middle, South,
Little, Baratang and Rutland) have only three small National Parks and on tiny Wildlife
Sanctuany. The biggest island, Middle Andaman has no protected area except the
Jarawa Tribal reserves which is not designed specifically to protect biotic resources.
Two institutions which are engaged in assessing the floral and faunal wealth
of this region are the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India. The
National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, proposes to set up a centre at Port Blair for
research and conservation in marine oceanography and related subjects.
For the conservation of salt water crocodile and other brakish water species
a sanctury, namely, Loha-barrack, is being developed in South Andaman. The Nicobar
district also has 3 Sanctuaries for the protection and preservation of rare species of
birds found in these islands.
Mangrove: A Case Study
The mangrove forests in Andaman and Nicobar islands have been utilising in ·
many ways by the local people. These forests are being utilised for stabilisation of the
coasts and beaches, silt retaining and land building. These mangrove forests play a
very important role in maintaining local ecology, food chain and life support system. It
is worth mentioning their role in the development of aquaculture and agriculture. Their
136
vital role in building purpose, fuel, boat & cane making, tannin bark, thatching materials, fooder, cordage and rope materials, fish poison, food, beverage, art and craft,
bow making, medicine, decoration and aesthetic sense and minor uses.
Conservation of Mangrove
For conservation of these biologically and environmentally important forests
Indian Government has established many sanctuaries and conservation parks. These
are as follow.
1.
Marine National Park, Wandoor. It is a nesting ground of sea turtles.
2.
Sir Huge Rose sanctuary, it is a nesting ground of olive Ridley turtle.·
3.
South Reef Island sanctuary, for turtle.
4.
South Sentenalese Island sanctuary.
5.
Crocodile sanctuary Loba barrack. It is established for salt water crocodile and
other brakish water fauna.
6.
North Reef Island sanctuary establishes to protect the Andaman Teal and other
water birds and also habitat for howkshill turtle.
Durgong sanctuary is the only place where Dugong are seen now. This area is
also rich in corals, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, dolphins, sea turtles, etc.
Recently 885 sq. km. area of Great Nicobar has been declared as 'Biosphere
Reserves'. Though these sanctuaries have been established but the effective legal
measures are to be operated to have follow up actions.
But the above mentioned conservation steps taken by Government are not
enough unless the active participation of local people and Non-Government
Organization take place. In A & N islands, almost four types of community people can
be recognized.
(1) The aboriginals (Onge, Zarwa, Sentenelese, Great Andamanes) who are
born and live in harmony with their surrounding biodiversity.
137
(2) The old settlers who have been allotted land and some rights to exploit
forest produce for their use.
(3) The people who are coming and staying for a long period to function as
defence and government employees, workers, traders, etc., form a sizable population.
(4) Short time visitors like tourist, etc.
The local communities are capable of managing their resources provided
that they have access to the necessary technical know-how and financial support. The
willingness of the government to share management responsibility is also vital to the
success of participatory management endeavour. When such responsibilities are
entrusted to them, local communities have shown organizational and leadership qualities
necessary for the long term, successful management of natural resources in many
other areas including islands. This is especially true when there is a fairly homogenous
local community. Unlike many other islands, where the community has evolved
homogeneity through generations, A & N islands are populated with heterogeneous
group of people, most of whom are outsiders, making it difficult to identify the rightful to
participate in the sustainable management of the island resources. The present
administration has not at all promoted the concept of shared responsibility for the
management or conservation of biodiversity. Conventional protective (Policing)
measures are still relied upon for conservation. Therefore, it is advisable to allow the
tribal people and the settler to share the responsibility and the benefits of protecting
and conserving the biodiversity of the archipelago. The local population can also be
involved directly or indirectly in the eco-tourism in which many goods and services are
purchased locally, minimising monetary leakage outside the local community.
The role of NGOs should be at first to initiate the dialogue between the
concerned government departments and the local people. Their definite role is as
catalysts towards people's participation in the conservation of local people. The NGOs
138
will campaign for common initiatives commensurate with international demands relevant
to biodiversity. Since local cooperation is essential for long term success of conservation
efforts, a socio-economic survey of the communities affected by development projects
that involves controlling the use of biological resources can be undertaken by these
organisation. They can perform the role of trainer and motivator. They can involve the
community in post literacy programmes to elevate the community's status in
understanding their rights and responsibilities in uplifting their community in conjunction
with sustainable development within their island ecosystem.
Strategy
The strategies for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development
must be adopted as follow:
(i)
Fundamental shift in development planning
(ii)
Empower local community to participate in decision's regarding the use
of natural resources. This must be based on the twin principles of
sustainability an equality
(iii)
Proper forest management on sound environmental principles
(iv)
Environment friendly agricultural strategie
(v)
Strict legal sanctions
(vi)
Creation of awarness among islanders on the hazards of biodiversity
loss
. (vii)
Human Resource Development
139
(vii)
Last but not least, control of excessive exploitation of biological resources.
The proper adaptation of above mentioned strategies can not only help
in biodiversity conservation but also play a very important role in the
development of natural resource on the line of sustainable development.
140