Islands

Andaman & Nicobar (Union Territory)  *

 

 

    Andaman and Nicobar are also known as the Bay Islands – comprise 3000 inslands and a majority are without water and uninhabited. Port Blair is the capital city about 1250 kilometers from Calcutta and 1200 kilometers from Chennai. Further south east lies the Nicobar group and the southernmost island in this cluster is only 150 kilometers removed from Sumatra in Indonesia. This territory earlier known as Pygmalion point, has now been renamed as Indira Point.

 

    The Portuguese established the first settlement in North Andamans in 1789, but attempts at colonisation had to be given up due to the inhospitable climate. After the revolt of 1857, the British found it convenient to use this as a place for convicts to serve penal servitude. The Cellular Jail became notorious as a dungeon from which there was no release. After the constitutional reforms in 1935, prisoners were recalled from Andamans and the process was complete by 1938. The Japanese forces occupied these islands during the Second World War.

 

    The Indian Government took care, after independence, to ensure that the original tribal inhabitants were not disturbed. Legislation was passed to prohibit the entry of outsiders.

 

    Most of the land is covered by forest and only 6 per cent is available for agriculture.

 

    The administration has taken steps to develop fisheries and cottage industries. In 1992 the Government decided to open these islands to foreign tourists. The islands are connected with the mainland –Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai- through regular air services as well as to Calcutta and Chennai by shipping lanes.