Port Blair, March 14: Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency chaired an interactive session today at Raj Niwas to promote the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a premium Diving and Tourist destination in the Indian Ocean Region.

Addressing the stakeholders, the Lt. Governor said that the UT of A&N Islands comprises one third of the country’s EEZ, with 836 Islands, spanning 8250 Sq.kms., offer unparalleled and diverse marine ecosystems and underwater landscapes, which are not found anywhere else. The Lt. Governor proposed and invited suggestions for developing A&N Islands as the most premium diving destination in the entire Indian Ocean Region for under-water enthusiasts. He emphasised that collective and wholehearted efforts of all the stakeholders will be instrumental in this endeavour.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary (I/C), A&N Administration, Shri Nikhil Kumar, IAS, Senior Officers of A&N Administration, Andaman & Nicobar Police, Andaman & Nicobar Forest, Andaman & Nicobar Command, Tourism & Dive Industries Operators of A&N Islands, Dive Masters from various Diving Centres and senior functionaries of Barefoot Andaman. Experts of Scuba School International (SSI), Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Lacadives India, Dive India Scuba Pvt. Ltd. and National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), which is an autonomous organisation, established in 1990 under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India participated through Virtual Conference.