Diglipur, Oct. 7: : In a significant initiative aimed at expanding and diversifying tourism opportunities across North & Middle Andaman, the North & Middle Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NMACCI), in coordination with the Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman, Shri Sushant Padha, IAS, has initiated a comprehensive drive to identify new trekking trails, off-roading routes, waterfalls, adventure tourism locations and island destinations that could be opened for regulated tourism.
The initiative has been taken forward following the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner, with the objective of identifying potential tourism destinations across the entire district and placing the identified locations before the competent authorities for necessary examination, permissions and further action.
A field-level discussion was held in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Shri Santosh Prakash,ACF Shri Shivendra Mehta, Ranger Shri Pradeep Nair, A. F. J. Rajan, President, North & Middle Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NMACCI), representatives of IP&T and Revenue Department officials.
The discussion focused on identifying new destinations and activities that could strengthen the tourism circuit across North & Middle Andaman, while ensuring that all tourism activities remain subject to the applicable environmental, forest, wildlife and administrative regulations.
Identifying New Trekking and Adventure Tourism Destinations
Several potential trekking destinations were discussed, including the Alfred Cave Trek, Patti Level Trek, Narkel Danga Trek and Khudirampur Waterfall Trek, along with other trails and natural attractions that have the potential to be developed as guided and regulated tourism experiences.
The team also discussed potential off-roading routes, including the route from Jal Tikri towards Hathi Level and further towards the shipwreck area, subject to the necessary assessment, safety requirements and departmental permissions.
Opening and developing such routes in a regulated manner could create new opportunities for adventure tourism and provide visitors with additional experiences across North & Middle Andaman.
Exploring New Island Tourism Opportunities
The initiative also includes exploring the tourism potential of selected islands such as Excelsior Island, Dalgarno Island and Padgett Island, among others.
As these islands are part of a National Park/protected area, access could be facilitated for tourists through the prescribed permit system, subject to approval from the competent higher authorities and the Forest Department.
The objective is to explore the possibility of permitting regulated and responsible tourist visits while ensuring that all applicable conservation, environmental and wildlife guidelines are strictly followed.
A Comprehensive Tourism Vision for North & Middle Andaman
The initiative is not limited to a particular locality. It is intended to create a comprehensive tourism inventory for North & Middle Andaman, covering new destinations, adventure activities, trekking routes, nature trails, waterfalls, off-roading opportunities and suitable island destinations.
Once the potential locations are identified and documented, the consolidated proposals can be pursued through the appropriate administrative channels with the Secretary and Director, Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) and other concerned authorities for examination and necessary approvals.
The North & Middle Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NMACCI) expressed its sincere gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Shri Sushant Padha, IAS, for taking the initiative promptly and acting on the proposal soon after the matter was discussed. The Chamber appreciated the proactive approach of the District Administration in taking the discussion forward and initiating the process of identifying and exploring new tourism opportunities across the region.
The involvement of NMACCI along with the District Administration, Forest Department, IP&T and Revenue authorities represents a coordinated effort between the administration and the local business community to identify practical and sustainable opportunities for tourism development.
A. F. J. Rajan, President, NMACCI, said that the Chamber is committed to working closely with the District Administration and concerned departments to identify and promote new tourism opportunities across the entire North & Middle Andaman region, with the objective of providing visitors with more experiences while creating greater opportunities for local communities and tourism stakeholders.
The initiative represents a collaborative effort to expand the tourism map of North & Middle Andaman, while preserving the ecological character of the islands and ensuring that tourism development takes place in a responsible, regulated and sustainable manner.
The broader vision is to make North & Middle Andaman a more diverse and experience-driven tourism destination, with new trekking, adventure, nature and island experiences complementing the region’s existing tourism attractions.