Andaman and Nicobar to establish wildlife sanctuaries
Kartavya Desk Staff
#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Andaman and Nicobar administration’s plan to establish wildlife sanctuaries on islands traditionally managed and inhabited by the indigenous southern Nicobarese people ignores their rights and disregards the ecological and social impacts.
Proposed Sanctuary | Description
Coral Sanctuary on Meroë Island | The government plans to establish a coral sanctuary
Megapode Sanctuary on Menchal Island | The proposed sanctuary aims to protect endemic Megapode birds
Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary on Little Nicobar Island | The administration seeks to create a sanctuary for leatherback turtles without consulting indigenous Nicobarese people, who traditionally use the island.
The Andaman Islands consist of 572 islands, with key ones including North Andaman, South Andaman, Little Andaman, and Middle Andaman. It boasts the highest number of wildlife sanctuaries in India, totalling 96, along with 9 national parks.
National Park/Sanctuary | Location | Features | Major Fauna
Campbell Bay & Galathea National Parks | Great Nicobar | Part of Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve – Separated by a 12-km wide forest buffer zone. Galathea National Park is India’s southernmost | Giant robber crab, megapode, Nicobar pigeon, turtle species
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park | South Andaman | Protects mangroves, corals, and nesting sea turtles. Mostly fringing reefs | Mangroves, corals, nesting sea turtles
Mount Harriett National Park (Mount Manipur National Park) | South Andaman | The third-highest peak in the A&N archipelago. Renamed to honour Manipur’s freedom fighters | Andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, turtles, robber crabs
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park | Ritchie’s Archipelago, South Andaman | Located near Button Islands. Vegetation includes mangroves and evergreen forests | Spotted deer, water lizards, monitor lizards, fruit-eating bats, dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, blue whales, corals
Saddle Peak National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | The highest point of the A&N Islands. Features varied fauna and flora | Andaman wild pig, Andaman imperial pigeon, dolphins, whales, saltwater crocodile
Other National Park | North Button Island NP, Middle Button Island NP, South Button Island NP