Preserve the Islands Wealth

          

 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

  

          The Andaman and Nicobar group of islands have a very long coastline. Infact, the islands have one third of the entire coastline of the country. According to International law, the legal jurisdiction of the country extends upto 200 miles of territorial waters. In this region, this entire region is very rich in marine wealth, but in the absense of proper utilisation, this precious wealth, which could have injected new blood into the ailing economy of the country is in danger of being lost. This area has now become the hunting ground for some poachers from some other countries, who carry away their catch of fish, shells, sea food etc., in their fast moving mechanised boats equipped with modern fishing aids. Prior to the introduction of the coastal guard, the administration did not possess boats fast enough to catch these intruders

                According to experts, some 24 varietes of fish are found in the ocean within the jurisdiction of these islands, which include Sardine, Tuna, Mackerel, Pronje, Pomfret, Catfish etc. In the sweet water, Rohu and some other varieties are also avaliable, though in smaller quantity.

               Sharks in large numbers are found in the sea surronding Andaman And Nicobar Islands and the local people call it "Badmash Machhali" which means 'a rogue fish' as it eats human flesh. It has strange system in deep sea. It is just like a radar system, one has to be careful of them while having a swim. Sharks have a great commercial value. Oil can be extracted from them which can bring in good foreign exchange. The Tuna fish belt in the warm water of the sea around greater nicobar is considered to be one of richest belts in the world. But its exploitation is still at the planning stage.

                When the ships reach Port Blair, the visitors are greatly entertained by the Dolphins. It is beleived that during cyclones, Dolphins guide the wandering ships to safe places and in case of shipwreck save the drowning persons. There is an international ban on the killing of this mammal. The ocean houses both good and evil and visitors can see it in the presence of both sharks and dolphins in the ocean. On the one hand is the dangerous shark ever ready to attack humans with its saw like teeth and on the other we have dolphin helping people in crises.

                  A number of crocodiles are found in these islands. In middle Andaman, one can find large number of crocodile eggs just scattered on the shores.