The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has launched a new initiative to promote birdwatching tourism, aiming to draw nature enthusiasts and raise public awareness about the rich avian biodiversity found across the archipelago. As part of its eco-tourism campaign, a public lecture was held on July 26 in collaboration with the Avian Club of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The event highlighted the ecological value of the islands’ wildlife and their growing appeal to both domestic and international birdwatchers.“Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to many endemic birds. The initiative has been taken to create awareness on the islands’ rich avifauna diversity, potential of different segments of tourism, and to encourage responsible travel practices,” said Tourism Secretary Jyoti Kumari. She noted that the pristine forests, wetlands, and distinct island ecosystems make the territory ideal for eco-conscious travellers and bird lovers.Also read | Top 7 national parks famous for wildlife photography in India | In pics
The lecture was delivered by ornithologist Arun Singh and President of the Avian Club. Singh has been a key figure in bird conservation efforts and promoting eco-tourism in the region. “With over 30 endemic bird species, the Andaman Islands are rapidly emerging as a new hotspot for bird tourism. The archipelago is gaining international recognition among bird lovers and wildlife photographers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of birdwatchers and professionals visiting the islands has grown steadily,” he said, according to PTI.Among the standout species that draw birders to the region are the Andaman wood pigeon, the Andaman crake, and the Andaman serpent eagle. While Singh pointed to rarer species like the ruddy kingfisher, beach thick-knee, and black-naped tern, which are mainly found in the islands or limited regions of Southeast Asia, he said that such species offer birdwatchers a chance to encounter birds that are not found anywhere else easily.However, he expressed concern over several threats to bird habitat, including wetland reclamation, land conversion, invasive species, and illegal hunting using airguns. He cited infrastructural challenges such as limited access to birdwatching spots, poorly developed trails, a shortage of trained guides, and insufficient scientific data as hurdles that need to be addressed.Also read | Vantara and Project Elephant host India’s largest caregiver training programme”Infrastructure challenges – including limited access to birding sites, lack of well-developed trails, a few trained guides, and scarce scientific data – hinder the growth of bird tourism. Despite these issues, the administration is showcasing the potential of bird-based tourism as a model for sustainable development,” Singh added.The Andaman administration expects that by nurturing this niche tourism segment, it can diversify travel experiences in the islands and enhance conservation efforts through community engagement and awareness.(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
