National Parks in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands National Parks Map
Andaman & Nicobar Islands National Parks Map

Campbell Bay & Galathea National Parks (Great Nicobar)

  • Campbell Bay & Galathea National Parks are a part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. A 12-km wide forest buffer zone separates both parks.
  • Galathea National Park is the southernmost National Park of India.
  • Vegetation: tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests.
  • Major Fauna: Giant robber crabmegapode, Nicobar pigeon and turtle species (Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Malayan box and Giant Leatherback).

Mahatama Gandhi Marine National Park (South Andaman)

  • Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located near Wandoor on the Andaman Islands. It is located in South Andaman.
  • It was declared a National Park to protect mangroves, corals and nesting sea turtles. Most of the coral reefs in the park are fringing reefs.
  • There are 2 major island groups in the park: the Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands.
    • The islands belong to the Rutland Archipelago and are located between Rutland Island and South Andaman Island.

Mount Manipur National Park (Mount Harriett National Park)

  • Mount Harriett (Mount Manipur) is the third-highest peak in the A&N archipelago next to Saddle Peak in North Andaman and Mount Thullier in Great Nicobar.
  • It is located near Port Blair in South Andaman. It is renamed Mount Manipur National Park in honour of Manipur’s freedom fighters who were imprisoned there.
  • Vegetation: tropical evergreen, hilltop tropical evergreen and littoral forests. The park is also a butterfly hotspot.
  • Major Fauna: Andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, turtles and robber crabs.

Rani Jhansi Marine National Park

  • Rani Jhansi Marine National Park is located in Ritchie’s Archipelago, South Andaman. It lies in the vicinity of Button Islands.
  • Vegetation: Mangroves and evergreen forests.
  • Major Terrestrial Fauna: Spotted deer, water lizards and monitor lizards. The main attraction of the park is a fruit-eating bat. It plays a major role in the ecosystem because it pollinates plants and scatters seeds.
  • Major Marine Fauna: Dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, blue whales and corals.

Saddle Peak National Park (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

  • Saddle peak (732 m) is the highest point of A&N Islands. Saddle Peak or Saddle Hills is located on North Andaman Island.
  • The Saddle Peak National Park is surrounded by moist, tropical vegetation as well as deciduous evergreen forest.
  • Major Fauna: Andaman wild pig, Andaman imperial pigeon, dolphins, whales and saltwater crocodile.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Barren Island Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Barren Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Barren Island is home to the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia.
  • Barren Island is aptly named due to its barren landscapes. It is characterized by large barren tracts of land. However, its crystal-clear waters are a major attraction, housing populations of Manta Rays.
  • The island also features interesting basalt formations and fast-growing coral gardens.

Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Narcondam Island was declared a wildlife sanctuary to protect the globally Threatened and highly endemic Narcondam Hornbill (Aceros narcondami), which is restricted to this tiny island.
  • Narcondam Island is a dormant volcano.
  • Narcondam Island’s volcanic mountain, at 710 meters is the second tallest point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the first being Saddle Peak, North Andaman Island at 752 meters.
Andaman & Nicobar

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