Jump to content

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Edit links
Coordinates: 11°41′N 92°43′E / 11.68°N 92.72°E / 11.68; 92.72
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Andaman and Nicobar islands)

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Union territory
Clockwise from top-right: Coral reefs around the islands; Beach at Shaheed Dweep; Andaman Sea; Cellular Jail in Port Blair; Aerial view of Nicobar Islands; Havelock Island
Official emblem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Emblem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Motto(s): 
Satyameva Jayate
(Truth alone triumphs)
The map of India showing Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Location of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India
Coordinates: 11°41′N 92°43′E / 11.68°N 92.72°E / 11.68; 92.72
Country India
RegionEast India
Formation1 November 1956
Capital
and largest city		Port Blair
Districts3
Government
 • BodyGovernment of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
 • Lieutenant governorDevendra Kumar Joshi
 • Chief secretaryKeshav Chandra, IAS
National ParliamentParliament of India
 • Lok Sabha1 seat
High CourtCalcutta High Court (Port Blair Bench)
Area
[1]
 • Total8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi)
 • Rank29th
Dimensions
 • Length467 km (290 mi)
 • Width24 km (15 mi)
Elevation
568 m (1,864 ft)
Highest elevation
(Saddle Peak)
737 m (2,418 ft)
Lowest elevation
(Andaman Sea)
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total380,581
 • Rank34th
 • Density46/km2 (120/sq mi)
 • Urban
37.7%
 • Rural
62.3%
Demonym(s)Andamanese, Nicobarese
Language
 • Official
 • Official script
GDP
 • Total (2021-22)Increase₹103 billion (US$1.2 billion)
 • Rank33rd
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 codeIN-AN
Vehicle registrationAN
HDI (2019)Decrease 0.719 High (7th)
Literacy (2017)86.27 (12th)
Sex ratio (2011)876♀/1000 ♂ (22nd)
Websiteandaman.gov.in
Symbols of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Emblem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
BirdAndaman wood pigeon
FlowerPyinma
MammalDugong
TreeAndaman Padauk
List of Indian state and union territory symbols

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India comprising 836 islands, of which only 31 are inhabited. These islands are grouped into two main clusters: the northern Andaman Islands and the southern Nicobar Islands, separated by a 150 km (93 mi) wide channel. The capital and largest city of the territory, Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram), is located approximately 1,190 km (740 mi) from Chennai and 1,255 km (780 mi) from Kolkata in mainland India. The islands are situated between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. The northernmost point is 901 km (560 mi) from the mouth of the Hooghly River. Indira Point, located at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E on the southern tip of Great Nicobar, is the southernmost point of India.

The territory shares maritime borders with Indonesia located about 165 km (103 mi) to the south, Myanmar located 280 km (170 mi) to the north-east and Thailand located 650 km (400 mi) to the south-east. The islands occupy a total land area of approximately 8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi) with a population of 380,581 as per the 2011 census. The territory is divided into three districts: Nicobar, South Andaman, and North and Middle Andaman with the capitals at Car Nicobar, Port Blair and Mayabunder respectively.

Genetic and cultural studies suggest that the indigenous Andamanese people may have been isolated from other populations during the Middle Paleolithic era, more than 30,000 years ago. Archeological evidence of civilisation has been dated back to 2,200 years. In the 11th century CE, Cholas, one of the three Tamil kingdoms, used the islands as a naval base to launch expeditions in South East Asia. The Danish were the first Europeans to arrive on the islands in 1755. The islands became part of the British Raj in 1868. During the Second World War, the islands were invaded by the Japanese Empire. After Indian Independence in 1947, the region became a province and later a union territory after the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950.

The islands host the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only geographical command operated jointly by the three major wings of the Indian Armed Forces: the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. While Hindi and English are the official languages, the major spoken languages include Bengali, Tamil and Telugu. Indigenous people speak any of the Andamanese or Nicobarese family of languages. Hinduism is the majority religion in the union territory, with a significant Christian minority. The islands include the North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese people, an uncontacted tribe.

Etymology

[edit]

The name Andaman might have been derived from Handuman, after the Indian God Hanuman from the Hindu epic Ramayana.[3] The place was called with a similar name by the Malay, who used to be involved in slave trade in the region.[4] The place was also referred by various names such as Angademan by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE and Angamanian by Marco Polo in 13th century CE.[3] Nicobar, which was located in the sea route connecting South India to South East Asia, was known as Nakkavaram, meaning "open/naked land" borrowed from Tamil language which later became Nicobar.[5] In the middle ages (500-1500 AD), Nicobar was known as Lankhabatus in Arabia, probably a mis-transcription of the name Nakkavaram. An 11th-century CE work Kathasaritsagar indicates the name as Narikel Dweep.[5] Marco Polo termed the island as Necuverann, while the islands were known as Lo-Jan Kuo in China, a translation of Nakkavar with the same meaning.[5]

History

[edit]
Main article: History of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Early history

[edit]

Genetic and cultural studies suggest that the indigenous Andamanese people may have been isolated from other populations during the Middle Paleolithic era, which ended 30,000 years ago.[6] Archeological evidence obtained from middens have been dated the earliest civilisations back to 200-300 BCE.[7] The islands have been mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE.[4][5]

Middle ages

[edit]
The Cholas used the islands as a naval base in 11th century CE to launch attacks in South East Asia

The Nicobar islands existed on a major trade route connecting India to the South East Asia and had much contact with the outside world for centuries. But there are very few accounts of information as there was no written language with the indigenous people to document their history.[8] The islands have been mentioned in the accounts of travellers like Faxian in the 6th century CE and I-T’sing in 7th century CE.[5]

In the 11th century CE, Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty of Tamilakam invaded parts of South East Asia using the Nicobar islands as an intermediate naval base.[9][10] It was part of an established Chola trade route connecting India and South East Asia, with the practice continuing in the subsequent years during the reigns of Rajendra II and Kulothunga I.[11][12] Chola inscriptions from Thanjavur, dated to 1050 CE, describe the islands as Ma-Nakkavaram meaning "great open/naked land" in Tamil.[13][14] The islands are later mentioned by Marco Polo in the 13th century CE and Friar Oderic in early 14th century CE.[5][15]

European colonisation

[edit]

The European colonisation on the islands began when settlers from the Danish East India Company arrived on the Nicobar Islands on 12 December 1755.[16] On 1 January 1756, the Nicobar Islands were made into a Danish colony, first named Nye Danmark (New Denmark) and later Frederiksøerne (Frederick's Islands).[17] The islands were managed from the Danish colony of Tranquebar in the Indian mainland. However, various attempts to settle on the islands were unsuccessful due to repeated outbreaks of malaria, which led to the death of the colonists.[8]

Andamanese fishing (c. 1870)

Between 1778 and 1783, William Bolts tried to establish an Austrian colony on the Nicobar islands, mistakenly assuming that the Danish had abandoned the claims to the islands, renaming them Theresa Islands.[18] In 1789, the British colonised the Andaman islands to set up a naval base and establish a penal colony.[19] In 1794, a first batch of 100 prisoners were sent to the island but the settlement was abandoned in 1796.[19]

In 1858, the British established a colony near Port Blair.[20] Between 1864 and 1868, Italy tried to buy the island from the Danish. On 16 October 1868, the Danish sold the rights to the Nicobar islands to the British, which was made part of the British India in 1869.[8] In 1872, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were united under a single command and administered by a chief commissioner based out of Port Blair. The construction of the Cellular Jail started in 1896 and was completed in 1906. The jail was used to house political prisoners and independence activists away from the Indian mainland.[21][22]

World War II

[edit]
Further information: Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Surrender of the Japanese to Lt.Col. Nathu Singh, commander of the Rajput Regiment in 1945

During the Second World War, the islands were invaded by the Japanese as a part of their attack on the allies in 1942. Port Blair was captured by the Japanese on 23 March 1942 and established control over the island.[23] The provisional control was passed on to the Azad Hind of Subhash Chandra Bose on 29 December 1943, based on the understanding with the Japanese with the islands renamed as Shaheed-Dweep (Martyr Island) and Swaraj-dweep (Self-rule Island).[24] Bose appointed General A. D. Loganathan as the governor of the islands, who had limited power while the real control of the islands remained with the Japanese.[24] In the years under Japanese occupation, there have been reports of widespread looting, arson, rape and extra judicial killings.[24][25]

Local people were often killed on trivial matters with the largest being the Homfreyganj massacre on 30 January 1944, where 44 local civilians were shot by the Japanese on suspicion of spying.[25] Japanese Vice Admiral Teizo Hara and Major-General Tamenori Sato surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Nathu Singh, the commanding officer of the Rajput Regiment on 15 August 1945, on board the Royal Navy warship HMS Sandbar and the territory was officially handed back over to the British to Brigadier J. A. Salomons, commander of 116th Indian Infantry Brigade, and Chief Administrator Noel Patterson, in a ceremony performed at the Gymkhana Ground in Port Blair on 7 October 1945.[26]

Post independence

[edit]

During the Partition of India, the British announced their intention to retain possession of the islands and use them to resettle Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on these islands. The islands were claimed by the Indian National Congress for India and the Muslim League for Pakistan during the partition negotiations.[27][28] After the Indian Independence in 1947, the islands became part of the Dominion of India. As per the Constitution of India, the Islands were designated as the only part D territory in 1950, to be administered by a lieutenant governor appointed by the Government of India.[29] The islands were later used to resettle people displaced during the partition with a substantial number of displaced immigrants establishing agricultural colonies.[30] The islands became a separate union territory administered by the Government of India, following the re-organization in 1956.[31] The islands have been developed into a key defence establishment since the 1980 due to its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal across the Strait of Malacca.[32][33]

On 26 December 2004, the coasts of the Andaman and Nicobar islands experienced 10 m (33 ft) high tsunami waves following an undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean which resulted in more than 2,000 casualties, 46,000 injuries and rendering at least 40,000 homeless.[34] The locals and tourists on the islands suffered the greatest casualties while the indigenous people largely survived unscathed due to movement to high grounds following the oral traditions passed down over generations that warned them to evacuate following earthquakes.[35]

Geography

[edit]
Map of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

There territory consists of 836 islands and islets occupying an area of 8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi), of which only 31 are permanently inhabited.[36] The islands extend from 6° to 14° North latitudes and from 92° to 94° East longitudes.[37] The islands are grouped into the north Andaman islands and south Nicobar islands, separated by the 150 km (93 mi) wide Ten Degree Channel.[36] The Andamans cover an area of 6,408 km2 (2,474 sq mi) while the Nicobar group covers an area of 1,841 km2 (711 sq mi).[36] The highest point is the Saddle Peak at 737 m (2,418 ft), located in North Andaman Island.[38]

Barren Island, the only active volcano in India

The northernmost point of the islands is 901 km (560 mi) away from the mouth of the Hooghly River in the Indian mainland. The territory shares maritime borders with Indonesia located about 165 km (103 mi) to the south, Myanmar located 280 km (170 mi) to the north-east and Thailand located 650 km (400 mi) to the south-east.[39] Indira Point, the southernmost point of India, is located at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E at the southern tip of Great Nicobar.[40] The capital and largest city is Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram[41]), located 1,190 km (740 mi) from Chennai and 1,255 km (780 mi) from Kolkata on the Indian mainland.[31] Barren Island, the only active volcano in India, is located in the Andaman Sea.[42][43][44]

The islands have a 1,962 km (1,219 mi) long coast-line.[45] The topography of the territory varies significantly across various islands. The islands may have sandy, rocky sandstone or marshy beaches on the coastlines and might be surrounded by shoals and coral reefs.[46] The altitude varies significantly from completely flat islands to gradually raising topography from the coast to the interior in larger islands.[46] The islands are generally surrounded by shallow seas of varying depths in the vicinity with some deep natural bays occurring along certain coasts.[46] The islands have a moderate temperature around the year with the average ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C.[47] The islands have a tropical climate with warm summers and not so chill winters.[47] The rainfall is dependent on the monsoons and tropical cyclones are common in late summer.[47]

Flora and fauna

[edit]
Further information: List of endemic birds of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Tropical evergreen forests in the interior of the islands

The islands have mangroves interspersed with marshes, coconut trees or dispersed bushy vegetation along the coast.[46] There are twelve types of forests that occur in the islands including evergreen, deciduous, mangrove, littoral, bamboo, sub-montane and brackish water forests.[48] North Andaman is characterised by wet evergreen forests with climbing plants, Middle Andaman has moist deciduous forests and South Andaman islands have epiphytic vegetation, mostly ferns and orchids.[48] The North Nicobar islands are mostly barren with grasslands while evergreen forests form the dominant vegetation in the central and southern islands of the Nicobar group.[48] The forest coverage is estimated to be 86.2% of the total land area with about 2,200 varieties of plants of which 200 are endemic and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India.[48] There are more than 200 species used for timber.[48]

Indian elephants were introduced in the 19th century to move timber

There are more than 8300 species of fauna of which 1117 are endemic to the islands.[49][50] There are about 64 species of reptiles of which half of them are endemic to the islands.[49] Most of the larger species were introduced by colonists and travellers, some of which became endemic due to their prolonged isolation. There are about 55 mammal species of which 32 are endemic with 26 species of rats and 14 species of bats, the most among the mammals.[48][45] The endangered Indian elephant can be found in forested or mountainous areas of the islands, which were originally introduced from the mainland to help with the timber extraction in 1883.[51] Endangered and critically endangered species endemic to the islands include the Andaman white-toothed shrew, Andaman spiny shrew, Jenkin's shrew, Nicobar spiny shrew, Nicobar tree shrew, Miller's Nicobar rat, Palm rat, Andaman teal, Nicobar scops owl, Andaman boobook and Darwin's eastern frog.[49] Other large fauna include Wild boar, Spotted deer, Barking deer and Sambar deer.[48]

Nicobar pigeon, the closest living relative to the extinct Dodo

There are about 270 species of birds in the islands of which 90 are endemic.[49] The islands' caves are nesting grounds for the Edible-nest swiftlet, whose nests are prized for bird's nest soup.[52] The islands serve as an intermediate resting site for birds such as Horsfield's bronze cuckoo, Zappey's flycatcher and Javan pond heron during long distance migrations.[53] The Nicobar pigeon found in the islands is the closest living relative to the extinct Dodo.[54] The territory is home for about 896 species of winged insects including 225 butterflies species.[49][48]

There are more than 1350 species of echinoderms and molluscs and 200 species of corals in the seas surrounding the islands.[45] Larger marine species include salt water crocodiles, dugongs, turtles, dolphins and whales.[45] There are more than 1350 species of fishes including 13 fresh water species.[49] The islands are well known for prized shellfish, the commercial exploitation of which began in the early 20th century.[48] There are about nine national parks, 96 wildlife sanctuaries and one biosphere reserve in the islands.[55][45]

Official symbols of Andaman and Nicobar[56]
Animal Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Bird Andaman wood pigeon (Columba palumboides)
Tree Andaman padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides)
Flower Pyinma (Lagerstroemia hypoleuca)

Demographics

[edit]

As per the 2011 census, the population was 380,581, of which 202,871 (53.3%) were males and 177,710 (46.7%) were females.[2] The sex ratio was 878 females per 1,000 males.[58] There were a total of 94,551 households and about 143,488 (37.7%) of the population lived in urban areas.[2] Hinduism (69.5%) is the major religion of people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands followed by Christianity (21.7%) and Islam (8.5%).[59]

Religion in Andaman and Nicobar (2011)[59]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 69.45%
Christianity
 
 21.28%
Islam
 
 8.52%
Others
 
 0.75%

The Andaman islands were populated by the indigenous people (the Great Andamanese, the Onge, the Jarawa and the Sentinelese) who were isolated and spoke Andamanese languages for thousands of years.[60] The Nicobar islands, which was part of trade routes and was frequented by travellers, were populated by Shompen people before the islands were settled by Nicobarese people, who spoke Austroasiatic languages.[8] The islands include the North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese people, among the only known uncontacted tribe in India.[61] When the islands were first colonised, the population of the natives were estimated to be around 5,000 and while the population of islands temporarily increased during colonisation, the population saw a massive spike post-1960s due to the policies of the Union Government that encouraged settlers from other parts of the country.[62] In the early 21st century, the population of indigenous people has drastically dropped and As of 2016, it was estimated to consist of 44 Great Andamanese, 380 Jarawas, 101 Onges, 15 Sentinelese and 229 Shompens.[63] The Government of India is trying to protect the remnant population by providing access to healthcare facilities, communication and social engagement.[64][63]

Distribution of languages in Andaman and Nicobar (2011)[65]
Language Percent
Bengali
 
 28.49%
Tamil
 
 15.20%
Telugu
 
 13.24%
Hindi
 
 12.91%
Nicobarese
 
 7.60%
Malayalam
 
 7.22%
Others
 
 15.33%

Languages

[edit]

The Andamanese people speak about a dozen endangered Andamanese languages, which belong to two families, Great Andamanese and Ongan that are unrelated to each other or to any other language group.[66] There are two unattested languages: Sentinelese, spoken by Sentinelese people, who refuse contact with outsiders, which might be related to Ongan as per Anvita Abbi and Jangil, which became extinct in the 1920s.[67][68] Indigenous to the Nicobar Islands are the Shompen language, spoken by Shompen people and the five Nicobarese languages, which form part of the Austroasiatic language family and are spoken by about 29,000 people or 7.6% of the population.[69][65]

The majority of the population, however, are speakers of immigrant languages which include Bengali (28.5%), Tamil (15.2%), Telugu (13.2%), Hindi (12.9%), Malayalam (7.2%). Sadri (5.5%), and Kurukh (4%).[65] Hindi is the official language of the region, while English is declared an additional official language for communication purposes.[70]

Administration and politics

[edit]

The islands form a part of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is administered by a Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Government of India.[71] The union territory was established in 1956 with a chief commissioner as the head of the administration.[72] In 1982, the Lieutenant Governor replaced the Chief Commissioner as the head of administration. In 1981, a "Pradesh council" with councillors as representatives of the people was constituted to advise the Lieutenant Governor.[73] The territory sends one representative to Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament from its Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lok Sabha constituency.[74] The territory is divided into three districts, each headed by a deputy commissioner.[75] The Calcutta High Court has jurisdiction over the islands with a permanent seat at Port Blair.[76]

Districts of Andaman and Nicobar[75]
Name Capital Area
(km2)[77] 		Population
(2011)[78] 		Taluks[78]
North and Middle Andaman Mayabunder 3,302 105,597 Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat
South Andaman Port Blair 3,106 238,142 Port Blair, Ferrargunj, Little Andaman
Nicobar Car Nicobar 1,841 36,842 Car Nicobar, Nancowrie, Great Nicobar

The indigenous communities have their own system of administration. There are long term settlements known as baraij and short-term settlements known as chang. The coast-dwellers (aryoto) have semi-permanent settlements and the interior groups (eremtaga) dwell on temporary settlements, which enable them to migrate during dry seasons.[7]

Economy

[edit]

As of 2022, the GSDP was ₹103 billion (US$1.2 billion).[79] Agriculture is a major occupation with nearly 50% of the population engaged in the sector.[80] Only about 48,675 hectares (120,280 acres) of land, which is about 6% of the total land area, can be used for agriculture.[80] Paddy is the main food crop, grown in about 20% of the arable land.[81] Most of the food for consumption is imported from mainland India.[80] Coconut and arecanut are the cash crops grown in the Nicobar islands.[80] Other crops include pulses, oilseeds, vegetables like okra, brinjal, cucurbit and radish; spices and fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, guava and pineapple.[82] Rubber, red oil, palm and cashew are grown on a limited scale in plantations.[82] The territory has an exclusive economic zone of more than 0.6 million sq. km, which contributes to the fishing industry. As of 2017, the region produced 27,526 tonnes of fish, mostly from marine sector with minor contribution from inland fisheries.[82]

As of 2008, there were 1,833 registered small-scale industries with majority being involved in engineering, woodworking and textiles apart from 21 factories.[83] District Industries Centre (DIC) is the body responsible for the development of small and medium industries in the islands.[83] Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO), established in 1988, is responsible for the development and economic growth of the islands.[83]

Tourism

[edit]
Further information: Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in 2004

Tourism is one of the major contributors to the economy of the islands. The islands had more than 400,000 visitors in 2016 with a 94% contribution from domestic tourists.[80] In 2018, plans to develop facilities in various islands under the National Institute of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was initiated by Government of India, with the aim of increasing tourist inflows.[84][80] Foreign tourists are issued Restricted Area Permits (RAP) which gives access to specific areas with conditions.[85] While domestic tourists do not require a permit to visit the accessible parts of the islands, the tribal reserves are forbidden and requires special permission for access.[86] The islands have many beaches due to its long coastline and various water sports are practised including kayaking, scuba diving and parasailing.[87]

Major attractions include the Cellular Jail, Chatham Saw Mill, Forest Museum, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Aquarium, Science Center and Carbyn's cove in Port Blair; Bharatpur, Lakshmanpur and Sitapur beaches in Shaheed Dweep; Elephant and Radhanagar beaches in Swaraj Dweep; Hudi tikri, Red, Bird and Bat islands, Amkunj beach near Rangat; Dhaninallah mangroves and Karmatang beach near Mayabunder; limestone caves and mud volcanoes near Diglipur; Craggy island and Ross & Smith islands and various national parks and protected sanctuaries.[88]

Transportation

[edit]
Veer Savarkar International Airport is the only major airport in the islands

The islands are served by Veer Savarkar International Airport near Port Blair which has regular flights to major cities in India.[89] The airport operates as a civil enclave, sharing airside facilities with INS Utkrosh of the Indian Navy.[90] The airport has a single runway of 3,290 m (10,794 ft) in length, with the civilian terminal operated by the Airports Authority of India with air traffic operations managed by the Indian Navy.[91] Andaman and Nicobar Command of Indian Armed Forces operates air bases of Car Nicobar AFS, INS Kohassa, INS Utkrosh and INS Baaz.[92]

There are 23 ports along the islands with a major port at Port Blair and eight other significant ports including Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Katchal and Campbell Bay.[93][94] In 2022, the Government of India proposed the development of a new container ship terminal and an airport at Great Nicobar.[95] There are 39 light houses situated across the islands.[96]

As of 2018, there are 422 km (262 mi) long national highways in the state with the major highway being the 230.7 km (143.4 mi) long NH 4 connecting Port Blair and Diglipur.[97][98]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Power

[edit]

There is no single power grid connecting all the islands and independent power houses caters to the power requirements of individual islands.[99] The islands have an installed power capacity of 68.46 MW with majority of the power generated from diesel power plants and a single hydroelectric powerplant of 5.25 MW on Kalpong river.[100] In 2016, a new 15 MW diesel power plant was established in South Andaman with Japanese assistance.[101][102] Commissioned in June 2020, a 10 MW photovoltaic power station is operated by NLC India in Port Blair.[103][104] In 2022, the government proposed additional power plants and infrastructure to be developed in Great Nicobar.[105]

Telecommunication

[edit]

4G mobile service is provided by various telecom operators in the islands.[106] Till 2020, Internet was provided through satellite links and access was limited. Bharat Broadband Network started work on laying fiber optic submarine cables connecting the islands with Chennai in December 2018.[107][108] On 10 August 2020, the undersea optical fibre cable went live, which enabled high-speed broadband connections in the islands.[109][110][111]

Education

[edit]

The first primary school in the islands was established in 1881.[112] During Independence, 12 schools were functioning on the islands including one high school.[112] As of 2023, there are 428 schools functioning in the islands with a total enrolment of 86,081 students.[112] Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya was the first institute of higher education, established in 1967.[113] Mahatma Gandhi Government College was established in 1990 and is affiliated to Pondicherry University.[114] Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Government Polytechnic was established in 1984 and the affiliated engineering college, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology was established in 1989.[115] Andaman Law College is the only law college in the state, established in 2016.[116] The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences was established in 1963.[117]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Projected

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Socio-economic statistics (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c State-wise population (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "History of South Andaman". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b "History of North Andaman". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "History of Nicobar". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ^ Palanichamy, Malliya G.; Agrawal, Suraksha; Yao, Yong-Gang; Kong, Qing-Peng; Sun, Chang; Khan, Faisal; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar; Zhang, Ya-Ping (2006). "Comment on 'Reconstructing the Origin of Andaman Islanders'". Science. 311 (5760): 470. doi:10.1126/science.1120176. PMID 16439647.
  7. ^ a b Cooper, Zarine (1996). "The Salient Features of Site Location in the Andaman Islands, Indian Ocean" (PDF). Asian Perspectives. 36: 222. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Williams, Victoria R. (2020). Indigenous Peoples: An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 979-8-216-10219-9.
  9. ^ Hultzsch, E. (1991). "Inscriptions on the walls of the central shrine". South Indian Inscriptions: Tamil Inscriptions of Rajaraja, Rajendra Chola and Others in the Rajarajesvara Temple at Tanjavur (in Tamil). Vol. 2. Chennai: Superintendent, Government Press. p. 109. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  10. ^ Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1955). "Rajendra- (A.D. 1012-1044)". The Cholas (2nd ed.). Chennai: G. S. Press. pp. 211–213.
  11. ^ Murfett, Malcolm H. Between 2 Oceans (2nd Edn): A Military History of Singapore from 1275 to 1971. p. 16.
  12. ^ Cotterell, Arthur. Asia: A Concise History. p. 190.
  13. ^ The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Local Gazetteer. Government of India. 1908. p. 57.
  14. ^ Cœdès, George (1918). "Le Royaume De Srivijaya" [The Kingdom of Srivijaya]. Bulletin de l'École Française d'Extrême-Orient (in French). 18 (6): 6. doi:10.3406/befeo.1918.5894. JSTOR 43729861. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022 – via JSTOR.
  15. ^ Yule, Henry; Burnell, Arthur Coke (1903). "Nicobar Islands". Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive. Vol. 1. London: J. Murray. pp. 624–625. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  16. ^ Danish National Archives; C. Rise Hansen (18 October 2011). Sources of the History of North Africa, Asia and Oceania in Denmark. Walter de Gruyter. p. 19. ISBN 978-3-11-097036-4.
  17. ^ Haensel, John Gottfried (1812). Christian Ignatius Latrobe (ed.). Letters on the Nicobar islands, their natural productions, and the manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives with an account of an attempt made by the Church of the United Brethren, to convert them to Christianity. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  18. ^ von Scherzer, Karl Ritter. Narrative of the Circumnavigation of the Globe by the Austrian Frigate Novara. Vol. II. p. 63. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  19. ^ a b Vaidik, A. (2010). Imperial Andamans: Colonial Encounter and Island History. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-230-27488-4.
  20. ^ MATHUR, L. P. (1967). "A Historical Study of Euro-Asian Interest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 29: 60. JSTOR 44137988. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  21. ^ Murthy, R.V.R. (2006). "Cellular Jail:a Century of Sacrifices". The Indian Journal of Political Science. 67 (4): 879–888. JSTOR 41856271. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  22. ^ "How India's Cellular Jail was integral in the country's fight for freedom". The Independent. 14 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020.
  23. ^ L, Klemen (1999–2000). "The capture of Andaman Islands, March 1942". Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941–1942. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "The forgotten story of the Japanese ruling over (a part of) India". Indian Express. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b Dasgupta, Jayant (2002). Japanese in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Red Sun over black Water. Manas Publications. pp. 67, 87, 91–95. ISBN 978-8-170-49138-5.
  26. ^ Wynn, Stephen (2020). The Rise and Fall of Imperial Japan. Pen & Sword Books Limited. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-473-86551-8.
  27. ^ Murthy, R. V. R. (2007). Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Geo-political and Strategic Perspective. Northern Book Centre. p. 117. ISBN 978-8-172-11219-6. Muslim league pleaded with the British that Andaman and Nicobar should go to the proposed Pakistan
  28. ^ "Jinnah's bid for Andaman Islands". Friday Times. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Parliament of India". Constitution of India (PDF). Government of India. 1950. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Bengali settlers in the Andaman Islands: the performance of homeland". IIAS Asia. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  31. ^ a b Planning Commission of India (2008). Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Report. State Development Report series (illustrated ed.). Academic Foundation. ISBN 978-81-7188-652-4. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  32. ^ David Brewster. India's Defense Strategy and the India-ASEAN Relationship, RSIS Monograph No.28. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  33. ^ Sawhney, Pravin (30 January 2019). "A watchtower on the high seas". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  34. ^ Carl Strand and John Masek, ed. (2007). Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake and Tsunami of December 6, 2004: Lifeline Performance. Reston, VA: ASCE, Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering. ISBN 9780784409510. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013.
  35. ^ "Tsunami folklore 'saved islanders'". BBC News. 20 January 2005. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  36. ^ a b c d "UT Profile". Government of India. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Brief Industrial Profile of Andaman and Nicobar Islands" (PDF). Government of India Ministry of M.S.M.E. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  38. ^ "Saddle peak". Britannica. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  39. ^ Maritime Boundaries of India - A Case Study (PDF) (Report). University of Rhode Island. 1990. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Indira Point". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Government has decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Barren Island". Smithsonian. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Barren Island". Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  44. ^ "Did You Know India Has an Active Volcano? It's Located in Andaman's Barren Island". News18. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d e Biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  46. ^ a b c d Maricultural potential Andaman and Nicobar (PDF) (Report). Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. 1983. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  47. ^ a b c "About Andamans". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Flora and Fauna". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  49. ^ a b c d e f Endemic Fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Bay of Bengal (PDF) (Report). Zoological Survey of India. 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  50. ^ Rao, Kailash Chandra; Devi, Kamala (2013). Endemic Animals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ISBN 978-81-8171-351-3.
  51. ^ Thomas, Maria (4 August 2016). "The incredible life of India's iconic swimming elephant". qz.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  52. ^ Sankaran, R. (1999). The impact of nest collection on the Edible-nest Swiftlet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (PDF) (Report). Coimbatore: Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  53. ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (21 April 2019). "In a first, east Asian birds make Andaman stopover". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  54. ^ Shapiro, B.; Sibthorpe, D.; Rambaut, A.; Austin, J.; Wragg, G. M.; Bininda-Emonds, O. R. P.; Lee, P. L. M.; Cooper, A. (2002). "Flight of the Dodo" (PDF). Science. 295 (5560): 1683. doi:10.1126/science.295.5560.1683. PMID 11872833.
  55. ^ "Andaman and Nicobar Islands". ENVIS, Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  56. ^ "State Symbols of India". Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  57. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901. Census of India : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (Report). Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  58. ^ Census of India (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  59. ^ a b Population by religion community – 2011 (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  60. ^ "Tribes of Andaman". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  61. ^ Pandit, T. N. (1990). The Sentinelese. Kolkata: Seagull Books. pp. 17–20. ISBN 978-81-7046-081-7.
  62. ^ Sekhsaria, Pankaj (3 April 2017). "How a statist vision of development has brought Andaman's tribals close to extinction". Scroll. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  63. ^ a b "Tribals in A & N Islands" (Press release). Government of India. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  64. ^ "Tribal Communities of Andaman and Nicobar celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav week of Tribal Affairs with fanfare in their inimitable style" (Press release). Government of India. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  65. ^ a b c C-16: Population by mother tongue, India - 2011. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (Report). Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  66. ^ Manoharan, S (1983). "Subgrouping Andamanese group of languages". International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics. 12: 82–95.
  67. ^ Abbi, Anvita (20 April 2020). "The Pandemic Also Threatens Endangered Languages". Scientific American. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  68. ^ Webber, George (20 May 2013). George Webber's Lonely Islands, Chapter 8: The Tribes. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  69. ^ Lal, Parmanand (1977). Great Nicobar Island: study in human ecology. Anthropological Survey of India.
  70. ^ Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015) (PDF) (Report). Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. pp. 49–53. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  71. ^ "Lt Governors and Administrators". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  72. ^ States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (PDF). Parliament of India. 14 September 1953. Retrieved 1 December 2023.[permanent dead link]
  73. ^ Andaman and Nicobar Bill (PDF) (Report). Parliament of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  74. ^ State/UT wise Lok Sabha seats (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  75. ^ a b "Districts of Andaman and Nicobar". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  76. ^ "About, Calcutta High Court". Calcutta High Court. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  77. ^ Area and Population (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  78. ^ a b Demography (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  79. ^ GDP of states/UTs (Report). Reserve Bank of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  80. ^ a b c d e f Eco-tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (PDF) (Report). Government of India. p. 50. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  81. ^ "History of agriculture". Government of India. p. 50. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  82. ^ a b c "Objectives of Agriculture". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  83. ^ a b c Economic survey (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  84. ^ Holistic Development of Islands. Niti Aayog (Report). Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  85. ^ Protected and Restricted Areas (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  86. ^ "For Foreigners". Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  87. ^ "Water sports". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  88. ^ "Andaman tour". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  89. ^ List of Aerodromes Licensed in Public Use Category (PDF) (Report). Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  90. ^ "New Terminal Building at Port Blair Airport by March 2018" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  91. ^ "Andaman & Nicobar Command: Saga of Synergy". Sainik Samachar. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  92. ^ "Headquarters Andaman Nicobar Command ANC to enhance its operational capability with the upcoming commissioning of INS Kohassa" (Press release). Government of India. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  93. ^ "History of Ports". Port Management Board, Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  94. ^ "India plans Rs 10,000 cr transshipment port at Great Nicobar Island: PM". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  95. ^ "Development of Great Nicobar: strategic imperative and ecological concerns". The Indian Express. 22 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  96. ^ "Light houses". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  97. ^ State-wise length of National Highways in India (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 30 November 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  98. ^ Andaman, Road development (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  99. ^ "Electricity in Andaman". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  100. ^ "Electricity department of Andaman". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  101. ^ "India collaborates with Japan on Andamans project". The Hindu. 13 March 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  102. ^ "These 8 narrow choke-points are critical to the world's oil trade". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  103. ^ Kala, Rishi Ranjan (18 June 2024). "The solar way of providing power to eco-sensitive zones". Business Line. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  104. ^ "Power plant profile: NLC Dolly Gunj Solar PV Park, India". Power Technology. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  105. ^ Ramakrishna, Ishika (20 October 2022). "Massive infrastructure project threatens Great Nicobar Island". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  106. ^ "Airtel becomes the first mobile operator to launch 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar". The Indian Express. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  107. ^ "PM Modi inaugurates 2,312-kilometre undersea optical fiber cable link between Andaman-Chennai". The Indian Express. 10 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  108. ^ Sridhar, Lalitha (17 February 2018). "It's 2018, but still tough to get online in the Andamans". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  109. ^ "Andaman and Nicobar islands' fast-speed internet will depend on a 2,300 kilometer-long fiber optic cable". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  110. ^ "BSNL to enhance bandwidth 400 times in Andaman and Nicobar island in 2 years". Financial Express. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  111. ^ "PM Modi inaugurates Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar submarine optical cable project". The Times of India. 10 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  112. ^ a b c "History of education". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  113. ^ "About us". Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  114. ^ "About us". Mahatma Gandhi Government College. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  115. ^ "About us". Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  116. ^ About us (PDF) (Report). Andaman Law college. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  117. ^ "About us". Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  118. ^ Hill, David (31 March 2012). "The 'wild' people as tourist stops". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  119. ^ Adese, Jennifer; Innes, Robert Alexander (9 April 2021). Indigenous Celebrity: Entanglements with Fame. University of Manitoba Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-88755-922-8. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  120. ^ Mortuza, Shamsad (21 January 2019). "On Black Water and the Bengali Fear of Seafaring". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  121. ^ "Kalapani movie, 25 years". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  122. ^ Khurana, Ankur (18 October 2023). "Kaala Paani Season 1 Review : A well-acted and intriguing survival drama". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands&oldid=1255203796"