Island Economies
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands
How India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands depend on government, tourism and fishing, the strategic Great Nicobar project, and concerns about forests and indigenous tribes.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an Indian union territory in the Bay of Bengal.
Economy
- Government jobs are a large employer.
- Tourism: beaches and diving, especially around Havelock (Swaraj Dweep).
- Fishing and coconut.
Connectivity
- A submarine fibre cable from Chennai (2020) improved internet.
- Ships and flights connect to the mainland.
Great Nicobar project
- A large project planned for Great Nicobar: a transshipment port, airport, township and power plant, estimated at around 72,000 crore rupees.
- Aims: strategic position near the Malacca Strait and trade.
Concerns
- Clearing rainforests and affecting leatherback turtle nesting sites.
- Impact on indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese communities.
- Earthquake and tsunami risk; the 2004 tsunami devastated the islands.
Indigenous protection
Tribes like the Sentinelese are protected from contact.
The fibre cable
After the undersea cable arrived in 2020, a Port Blair hotel could offer guests fast internet, boosting tourism.
Thinking the islands' economy is only tourism
Government jobs and fishing matter too.
Key takeaways
- The Andaman and Nicobar economy relies on government, tourism and fishing.
- A 2020 undersea cable improved internet.
- The Great Nicobar project plans a transshipment port.
- Forests and indigenous communities raise concerns.
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