Page 2 - Andaman And Nicobar Islands

Andaman's clean environment, ecology must be preserved: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday stressed on the need for preserving the clean environment and ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Murmu, while addressing a gathering during a civic reception here, called for maintaining a balance between development and environmental protection. It is very important to preserve the ecology and environment of this island. We have to maintain a balance between developmental work and preservation of the environment while moving forward, she said. The president also underscored the increase in tourist arrivals from 2014 to 2022, owing to improved digital and physical communication in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This not only helped in generation of revenue, but also employment in this island. It accounts for 30 per cent of the country's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and needless to say that this place will play an important role in nation-building when it comes to the blue economy, she said. Murmu lauded the local ..

6 Myanmarese poachers die of 'starvation' inside Andaman forest: Report

Bodies of six suspected Myanmarese poachers were found in remote Narcondam island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an officer said on Sunday. It appears that the poachers died of starvation and dehydration on the small volcanic island after they ran out of ration, the official said. The small boat they used to reach the island had developed some snag and they could not return. The bodies were found lying a few metres from the shore in a forest on the small Narcondam island on Saturday. Located in the easternmost part of India, Narcondam in North and Middle Andaman district is only 126 km from Myanmar's Coco Island. It is formed of andesite, a volcanic rock. The island is classified as a dormant volcano by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The island covering an area of approximately 7.6 square kilometres is a hunting ground for the poachers from Myanmar. On February 14, the Andaman police during a search operation apprehended two Myanmarese poachers from Narcondam Island. They

Lakshadweep to Digha: India's best beach holiday destinations beyond Goa

Dotted across India's vast coastline, these places are less crowded and culturally vibrant

The realities of terra incognita

Adam Goodheart's book on the Andamans and its inhabitants sheds light on the cost, merits, and the necessity of civilisation

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti: Date, celebration, importance, wishes

On the occasion of the 127th birthday anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the model for a planned Netaji memorial in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was introduced by PM Narendra Modi

Andamans recognised as 'aspiring leader' in states' startup ranking: DPIIT

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an Aspiring Leader' in the latest States' Startup Ranking of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), officials said. There are 53 recognised startups, including 22 ventures led by women, in the entire archipelago, they said. The key sectors include construction and engineering, travel and tourism and IT. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have stood out among its counterparts, showcasing the potential to become a prominent hub for emerging businesses and startups among the B' category states (population of less than 1 crore), a senior official said. We are delighted to receive the prestigious title of Aspiring leader' (in the 4th edition of the States' Startup Ranking). The recognition fits very well with our consistent and persistent efforts to establish Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a thriving hub for startups across various domains and sectors, Nikhil Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Industries),

Various initiatives taken to boost tourism in Andaman & Nicobar: Chief secy

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has taken numerous initiatives to attract more tourists to the archipelago, including granting access to uninhabited islands, allowing beaches to remain open till late night and reaching out to more airline operators, a top official said. Speaking to PTI, Chief Secretary Keshav Chandra said that there will also be eco-friendly tourism infrastructure in four islands and 11 tourist sites. "The administration has taken various initiatives towards promotion of tourism... like development of a five-star property at Megapode in Port Blair in PPP mode, leasing out land at Radha Nagar Beach in Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)," he said. "Beaches are now being opened during late night hours for tourists to enjoy the heavenly sight of the landscape as well as the bio-luminescence. Efforts are being made to reach out to more airline operators that will lead to competitive and affordable pricing of tickets for tourists," he added. The administration is also

11 firms expressed interest in port project in Great Nicobar Island: Govt

The government has received expressions of interest (EOIs) from 11 players for the Rs 41,000-crore international transhipment port project at Great Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. Last year, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a statement said the project is expected to be completed with an investment of Rs 41,000 crore (USD 5 billion), including investment from both government and public-private partnership (PPP) concessionaires. "11 players have submitted expressions of interest for the international transhipment port project at Great Nicobar Island," the ports, shipping and waterways minister said. The EOI was sought on January 28, 2022. The proposed port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will have the ultimate capacity to handle 16 million containers per year, and in the first phase, to be commissioned by 2028 at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore, it will handle more than 4 million containers. Other projects plann

Boat carrying 142 suspected Rohingyas refugees intercepted in Andaman

A boat carrying at least 142 suspected Rohingya refugees, including women and children, was intercepted by coastal security agencies near Shaheed Dweep in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday, police said. The boat left from Bangladesh around 14-15 days ago and was on its way to Indonesia, they said. On Sunday morning, the Port Blair police control room received a call from the local intelligence about suspicious boat movement near Shaheed Dweep (previously known as Neil Island), and multiple coastal security agencies (including the navy, coast guard and marine police) swung into action and located it, officials said. Those onboard include 47 women and 59 minors. The boat was towed to Shaheed Dweep by the marine police, as it developed some technical snag and was unfit for further journey, police said. All of them were taken to Port Blair and kept in a temporary shelter by the local administration for further instruction from the central government, they said. Earlier, on Februa

Low pressure area over Andaman becomes well marked, likely to intensify

The low pressure area over Andaman Sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal has become 'well marked' and is likely to intensify into a depression on Thursday, the Met department said. With the system set to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the first week of December, the Odisha government on Wednesday asked the agriculture department to take precautionary measures to prevent crop damage in the event of rain and the fisheries department to ensure that fishermen do not venture into the sea from Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its morning bulletin, said, "The low pressure area over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal now lies as a well marked low pressure area at 5.30 am on November 29." "It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal around November 30. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal

Low pressure area formed near Andamans, may intensify into cyclone: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that a low pressure area has been formed near Andaman and Nicobar Islands and it may intensify into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal over the next few days. The Met department, in a special message based on data received till 8.30 am on Monday, said that the low pressure area has been formed over south Andaman Sea and adjoining Strait of Malacca. "It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over southeastern Bay of Bengal around November 29. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal in the subsequent 48 hours," the IMD said. The weather agency, however, is yet to make any prediction on its likely movement towards the coast and landfall.

130 mn rural households get tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission

Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have reported 100 per cent coverage

Andaman admin to complete granting financial benefits to daily labourers

The Andaman and Nicobar administration is expediting the process of granting financial benefits to 4,000 left-out daily rated mazdoors (DRMs) by November 30 as per directions of the Supreme Court, a senior official said. After being snubbed by Calcutta High Court for non-compliance of its order in releasing benefits to the DRMs, Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Retd.), in an order on August 11, granted financial benefits of 1/30th pay plus Dearness Allowances (DA) to nearly 4,000 DRMs from 2017. The senior administrative official told PTI, "We are taking care of the DRM issue as we have to complete the task by November 30 this year. We are working on expediting the process of granting financial benefits to nearly 4,000 left-out DRMs." Andaman Sarvajanik Nirman Vibhag Mazdoor Sangh, an association of DRMs, moved the Calcutta High Court, accusing the island administration of not granting them financial benefits despite a 2017 high court order. On August

Calcutta HC Port Blair bench fines Lt Guv of Andamans, suspends chief secy

In a significant development, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary Keshav Chandra was suspended while Lt. Governor DK Joshi fined Rs 5 lakh (which he has to bear from his own fund) on Thursday for not complying with an earlier order by the Port Blair bench of the Calcutta High Court on releasing benefits to workers. The earlier order passed on December 19 last year had awarded higher pay and DA to nearly 4,000 Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) employed by the island administration. Speaking to PTI, Advocate Gopala Binnu Kumar, who appeared on behalf of the Andaman Sarvajanik Nirman Vibhag Mazdoor Sangh, welcomed the court's decision. "I welcome the court's decision. The administration headed by the chief secretary and the lieutenant governor were found guilty by the court for non-compliance of its order to release the benefit of 1/30th pay plus dearness allowances for DRMs which is pending since 2017," he said. While elaborating about the case, he said, "There are nearly 4,000 DRM

Earthquake of magnitude 5 jolts Andaman and Nicobar Islands, no casualties

An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 on the Richter scale has jolted Nicobar Islands on Wednesday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported.The quake occured at around 5:40 am in the morning hours with its depth registered at 10 km.According to NCS, its epicentre was found at Latitude: 9.32 and Longitude: 94.03, rfespectively."Earthquake of Magnitude:5.0, Occurred on 02-08-2023, 05:40:11 IST, Lat: 9.32 & Long: 94.03, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: Nicobar islands," the NCS tweeted.No reports of casualties or material damage are known yet.Further details are awaited.

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Earthquake of 5.8 magnitude jolts Andaman and Nicobar Islands, says NCS

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 jolted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported.The quake hit the islands at 12:53 am on Saturday.Further, according to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 69 kms."Earthquake of Magnitude:5.8, Occurred on 29-07-2023, 00:53:47 IST, Lat: 10.75 & Long: 93.47, Depth: 69 Km, Location: Andaman Islands," read a post on the official Twitter handle of National Centre for Seismology (NCS).Earlier, on July 9, an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 hit the Southeast of Campbell Bay in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to the NCS.The earthquake hit Campbell Bay at 7:39 pm, at a depth of 70 kms."Earthquake of Magnitude:5.3, Occurred on 09-07-2023, 19:39:09 IST, Lat: 5.87 & Long: 94.83, Depth: 70 Km, Location: 162km SE of Campbell Bay, Andaman and Nicobar island, India," the NCS had tweeted on its official handle.

Tourism will increase manifold in Andamans due to development of infra: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that tourist inflows to Andaman and Nicobar Islands have doubled since 2014 and will increase manifold in the coming years due to the development of infrastructure in the archipelago. Inaugurating the new integrated terminal building of the Veer Savarkar Airport here, he said that the expansion of the airport was a long-pending demand of locals and tourists alike. "The new terminal will be able to handle 11,000 passengers and 10 aircraft can be parked at the airport at any given time. More flights and tourists will bring more jobs to the area. The new terminal building will increase ease of travel and doing business, and connectivity," the PM said. Alleging that the islands were devoid of development for a long time, he said that in the last nine years, the current government has not only rectified the mistakes of past governments with utmost sensitivity but also brought a new model of inclusive development. "We brought submarine optical

Opposition parties mantra is 'of, by and for family', says PM Modi

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday alleged that their mantra is "of, by and for the family". Virtually inaugurating the new integrated terminal building of the Veer Savarkar Airport here, he said that the facility will boost tourism and strengthen the economy of the archipelago. Taking a dig at the opposition meeting in Bengaluru, he said, "People are saying that this gathering is to promote corruption. The opposition parties have given a clean chit to the DMK despite corruption cases in Tamil Nadu. The Left and the Congress are also mum on panchayat poll violence in West Bengal despite attacks on their cadre." "They (opposition parties) are not concerned about the development of the children of the country's poor. Their common minimum programme is to increase corruption for their family. Democracy means 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. But these dynastic parties have the mantra of 'of the family, by the ...

Andaman & Nicobar tribal body against Schedule Tribe hirings from outside

A tribal organisation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has objected to the local administration's decision to allow Schedule Tribe (ST) people from other states to apply for government jobs in the archipelago, asserting that it goes against the norms. Chairman of the Tribal Council of Car Nicobar, Lionald Nicomed, claimed that as per the Scheduled Tribe Gazette notification of the Government of India, people belonging to only six local tribes are eligible for applying for recruitment under the ST category in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A senior Congress leader also said that allowing ST people from outside violates a Supreme Court order. Many candidates from outside have applied for government posts. This is highly objectionable, Chairman of the Tribal Council of Car Nicobar, Lionald Nicomed, told PTI. Car Nicobar is the northernmost part of the Nicobar group of islands. Nicomed also wrote a letter to Governor Devendra Kumar Joshi, requesting him to intervene in the matter. The Tr