Mint Primer | Andaman and Nicobar: Can it remain pristine?
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for biodiversity and isolated ancient tribes, is in the news as India moves to promote tourism and industry in the archipelago.
What impact might these projects have and what are the concerns raised by environmentalists and locals? In 2021, the government introduced the ‘Great Nicobar Project’ worth over ₹72,000 crore, which includes an airport, a sea cargo terminal called Galathea Bay Port, and a natural gas and solar power plant. Work on the Galathea Bay Port is expected to start first, with 11 firms having expressed interest in the project worth ₹44,000 crore.
The government also plans to promote tourism in the uninhabited islands of the archipelago, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Besides this, the Union shipping ministry reportedly wants to build an international cruise terminal, according to The Hindu. In September last year, the Union government formally notified Galathea Bay Port as a ‘major port’, although work is yet to start.
It has also allocated funds to promote tourism in heritage sites located on the islands. Per a ministry of tourism statement released this week, the Union government has allocated ₹27.57 crore since 2016-17 to develop various islands in the archipelago and the capital city Port Blair.
The island authorities are also promoting tourism by opening beaches late into the night, launching new eco-tourism resorts, and privatising the government-run Megapode Resort in Port Blair in 2023-24. Read more: This hotel chain doubles down on spiritual tourism, luxury & metro hubs Domestic tourists to the island grew 37% to over 323,000 in 2023 and then more than doubled to 710,000 in 2024, although fewer than 12,000 foreign
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