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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Wandoor National Park

Also known as the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park, this is India's best marine park. Established in 1983 to protect corals and sea turtles, the park consists of 15 islands off the southwestern coast of southern Andaman, 30km from Port Blair.

The marine ecosystems of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are unique for their biodiversity and the endemic fauna and flora they have to offer. Most of the islands are forested with dense vegetation coming down to the very shore. Some of these are nestling grounds for sea turtles. Find hundreds of estuarine crocodiles, myriad fishes and a fascinating world of corals. The reefs are one of the richest in the Indian sub-continent, and not only protect the coastline against sea erosions but are also home to a fascinating population of marine life like fishes, molluscs, sponges, echinoderms and other organisms.

The island of Jollybuoy, which lies in the centre of the park, is the most famous of them all. Its northern beach is encircled by a reef, which is visible above water in low tide. Watch the multi-coloured sea cucumbers, anemones, starfish, cowries, turbots and spider conch.

The island of Tarmugli is great for diving. Spot deer (brought here by the British) on the Redskin Island. Or take a walk round the picturesque Grub Island. The Andamans are home to about 242 birds of which 39 are unique to the island.

Area: 281.5 sq km

Animals: leatherback, hawksbill, olive ridley and green turtles, estuarine crocodiles, coconut crab and an incredibly beautiful marine life.

Birds: tern (Roseate tern, Scooty tern and black-naped tern), gull, osprey, serpent crested eagle, wood pigeon, swift, olive-backed sunbird, the Andaman swallow and the white-rumped shama.

Best time to visit: December-April. The park sees medium to heavy rain from May-September and November-December.

How to get there:

Fly from Kolkata or Chennai to Port Blair, and then make a road trip to Wandoor. The Forest Department runs a launch service inside the park that will take you to two or three islands daily. You can hire a motorised canoe from local fishermen and let them take you on a more exclusive trip.

Permits: Foreigners will need to obtain a permit valid for 15 days from Port Blair. This does not cover Nicobar and the other southern islands. They can also write to Deputy Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden

Or General Manager, ANIIDCO, P.B. No.180, Vikas Bhawan, Port Blair, Ph: 03192 - 232098, 232207, 232380, E-mail : aniidco@vsnl.com

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