Page 2 - Andaman And Nicobar Islands

Andaman to get 5-star resorts, yacht marina in tourism overhaul: Chief secy

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar has said that a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to transform the archipelago into a world-class tourism destination. Talking to PTI, Kumar said the ambitious plan focuses on infrastructure development, heritage promotion, eco-tourism, and sustainable growth. Emphasising the strategic importance and unique appeal of the islands, he added, "The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, comprising 836 islands, is a rare blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and adventure tourism. We aim to elevate it to international tourism standards." Kumar said that under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, approvals have been given for the construction of four five-star resorts on select islands, marking a key step towards premium tourism infrastructure. Additionally, a dedicated yacht marina is in the pipeline, with an Expression of Interest (EoI) already floated. "The marina will be instrumental in attracting

Andaman LG discontinues 'No Dues Certificate' for property registration

The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Vice Chairman of Islands Development Agency (IDA), Admiral D K Joshi (Retired) has approved major reforms in the Revenue department by discontinuing 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate' while registering a property. A statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor's office on Friday claimed that the decision was taken to promote ease of doing business. "The discontinuation of 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate' will be effective from June 9," it said. While elaborating more, a senior Raj Niwas official, said, "Earlier, these certificates were mandatory while registration of any property to ascertain any revenue due. The administration under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor felt that since the Sub-Registrar verifies revenue receipts during property registration, there is no need to get separate 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate'. This will bring a huge relief for the

Great Nicobar project: Ministry reviewing tribal concerns, says Jual Oram

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Monday said his ministry is examining objections raised by tribal communities regarding a mega infrastructure project proposed on Great Nicobar Island. The project, titled 'Holistic Development of Great Nicobar', involves building a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 sq km of land. This includes about 130 sq km of pristine forest, home to the indigenous Nicobarese and Shompen communities, classified as 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups' (PVTGs). When asked if the ministry was investigating complaints from tribal communities regarding the project, the minister told reporters, "Yes, it is under examination. I had also answered a question (in this regard) in Parliament. We are currently examining the documents they have submitted. After that, we will decide the course of action." On further questioning about what the ministry seeks to ascertain, Oram said, "First, we need to ...

Airspace over Andaman closed for 3 hours for high altitude weapon test

The airspace over Andaman and Nicobar Islands was closed for three hours from 7 am on Friday for high altitude weapon test by the tri-services command, an official said. A senior Andaman and Nicobar Command official said, "Like today, the airspace over and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be closed tomorrow for three hours (7 am to 10 am). We have already issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 16 and instructed that no civilian aircraft will be allowed to fly over Andaman on May 23 and May 24." "Airspace over and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with maximum corridor length of around 500 km will be restricted between 01:30 and 04:30 Universal Time Coordinated UTC (7 am and 10 am IST) on May 23 and 24," the excerpts of the NOTAM said. In the context of airspace closure, the official said, "We have successfully done a high-altitude weapon test today and tomorrow a similar test will be done. This is a routine practice here in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as we have done ...

Southwest monsoon reaches south Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands: IMD

The southwest monsoon advanced into parts of the south Bay of Bengal, south Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and some areas of the north Andaman Sea on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department said moderate to heavy rainfall lashed Nicobar Islands over the past two days. The strength and depth of westerly winds over the south Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and Andaman Sea increased in this period, with wind speeds exceeding 20 knots at 1.5 km above sea level and extending up to 4.5 km in some areas. The Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), an indicator of cloudiness, also decreased over the region. These conditions met the criteria for the monsoon's onset over the region, it said. The weather office said conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into more parts of the south Arabian Sea, Maldives and Comorin area; more areas of the south Bay of Bengal; the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands; remaining parts of the Andaman Sea; and parts

Who are the Sentinelese? US man arrested for entering Andaman’s forbidden island

Who are the Sentinelese, and why is contact with them strictly forbidden? A 24-year-old American tourist names Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested for secretly venturing

US citizen arrested for entering Andaman's forbidden North Sentinel island

A 24-year-old US citizen has been arrested for illegally entering North Sentinel Island of Andaman, home to one of the world's last uncontacted tribes

US man arrested for entering restricted North Sentinel Island in Andamans

A US national was arrested in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island, police said on Wednesday. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov (24), arrested by the CID on March 31, had allegedly entered the North Sentinel Island without any authorisation, they said. He arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and ventured to North Sentinel Island from the Kurma Dera beach, they said. He launched his boat from Kurma Dera beach around 1 am on March 29, carrying a coconut and a can of cola as "offerings for the Sentinelese", police said. Polyakov reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island by 10 am. Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants, they said. He remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle to attract attention, but received no response. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat, p

Upstream oil companies return to Andaman Sea, dig offshore wells

Oil India, ONGC hope to strike it big this time

No tribal will be displaced due to Great Nicobar project, govt tells House

There will be no environmental impact and no tribal will be displaced due to the Great Nicobar project, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said in the Rajya Sabha while asserting that the project is important for the country owing to its strategic location. Oram said this while replying to supplementaries during the question hour after several opposition members raised objections to the minister not giving a written reply to the question on tribals who are expected to be relocated as part of the project. He said China is sitting in Hambantota (Sri Lanka) while noting that "why should India leave our land". "This project is very important socio-economically and commercially in the interest of the country. We are merely 40 kms away from the sea route. That is why we cannot leave this," the minister said. TMC member Saket Gokhale and Congress' Jairam Ramesh asked why the minister has not replied to the question. Gokhale had asked on the action taken on concerns raised by the National .

Amazon Pharmacy expands medicine access from Andaman to Arunachal Pradesh

Using Amazon's nationwide logistics network, customers can now access a wide range of medicines, with same-day delivery available in 23 cities, including top metros and Tier-II cities

Exploring the beauty and dark past of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A lavishly produced coffee table book contrasts the ethereal beauty of the Andaman's with its sordid colonial history

Offshore mineral auction: Polymetallic nodule resource gaps pose challenges

Construction sand is a crucial component for infrastructure development, used in making concrete, mortar, and other building materials

Andaman police to question Starlink on device used in smuggled drugs haul

Starlink, which says it provides coverage in international waters, has plans to launch in India, but says its coverage in territorial waters is contingent on government approval

Coast Guard seizes vessel with 6,000 kg methamphetamine near Andaman Island

In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a vessel with six Myanmarese crew carrying 6,000 kg of contraband Methamphetamine near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an official said on Monday. The drugs were found packed in around 3,000 packets of 2 kg each, which are worth several crores of rupees in the international market. On November 23, the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft while on routine patrolling noticed a suspicious movement of a fishing trawler near Barren Island which is nearly 150 km from Port Blair, the Defence official said. "The trawler was warned and asked to lower its speed and in the meantime, the pilot alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Immediately, our nearby fast patrolling vessels rushed towards Barren Island and towed the fishing trawler to Port Blair on November 24 for further investigation," the official said. "We have arrested six Myanmarese nationals from the fishing trawler and it is believed that the Methamphetamin

Govt asks investors to invest in Andaman & Nicobar's fishery sector

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Thursday urged investors to turn to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which has the potential to emerge as a hub for fisheries exports. Inaugurating an investors' meet here, the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister stressed on creating modern fishing infrastructure to utilise the untapped resources in the Union Territory, an official statement said. Calling upon investors to seize the opportunities in the region, the minister said the Centre is also working to strengthen trade with Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, he outlined efforts to promote deep-sea fishing and develop post-harvest processing facilities to help achieve the export target of Rs 1 lakh crore. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a prime opportunity for fisheries development, with about six lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly tuna and tuna-like high-valued species, estimated at 60,000 tonnes. I

Circulation over Andaman Sea may intensify into low-pressure area: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a cyclonic circulation has formed over Andaman Sea and it is likely to intensify into a low-pressure area by Monday. It may have an impact on coastal areas of north Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh next week. In a bulletin, IMD said, "The cyclonic circulation is formed over central Andaman Sea. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea around October 21. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a depression around October 23." Amid speculations on the formation of a cyclone this month as forecast by certain international models, IMD Director General Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra said that a clearer picture will emerge only after formation of the low-pressure area. "The IMD has made no prediction on whether the system will develop into a cyclonic storm. October is known as the month of cyclones and some weather models are

Integration of Andaman tribals into mainstream sparks mixed reactions

The gradual integration of tribals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands into mainstream society has sparked mixed reactions with some experts expressing concern that it could lead to their exploitation by outsiders, while others believe it is essential for their survival, advocating for education to help them adapt to societal changes. This trend is primarily noticed among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as Shompens, Jarawas (Ang), Onges, and the Great Andamanese who live in their respective reserved dense forests where non-tribals are barred. A watershed moment took place on April 19, 2024, when Nauaaw and six other Shompens, including Jetuwai, Thuwaee, and Chemai, voted in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, marking a significant milestone for their community. Shompens are predominantly uncontacted nomadic hunters, with a population of 244 on Nicobar Island. Nicobar Island is currently in the news due to the Rs 72,000-crore international transshipment project

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

The project could also effect a potential genocide of the Shompen tribe, Ramesh had alleged, echoing concerns of various activists over the past year

BJP sets target to add 20,000 members in Andamans and Nicobar Islands

The BJP has set a target to increase its membership in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by 20,000 during a drive from September, a senior leader said on Friday. BJP national secretary and spokesperson Anil Antony asserted that the target is "ambitious but achievable". "BJP had only 8,126 members in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2014. The number increased to 55,000 in 2019," Antony said at a press conference here. "The membership drive would be held in phases from September 1 to November 10. Individuals can sign up through a missed call, via digital platforms or through a manual membership drive," he said. Antony said a series of events would be held in the coming months, including workshops at morcha, mandal and booth levels on August 31, to achieve the target. The membership campaign will be held in two phases from September 1 to September 25 and from October 1 to October 31. "On September 25, we will conduct a door-to-door membership drive and on October 1, a special meeting with .