Govt planning to open up 5 restricted Andaman & Nicobar islands to tourists

The Centre is considering a proposal to open up five islands of Andaman and Nicobar to tourists to promote them as eco-tourism destinations, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Monday.

The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago comprises more than 500 islands, many of which are uninhabited and restricted.

Javadekar said during his recent trip to Andaman and Nicobar he explored the potential for developing five islands from tourism perspective.

"I went to the place recently to meet people. It is 94 per cent forest and rest is Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The place is so beautiful it can easily beat Thailand and Phuket... But due to our policies we could not open it for public. We have prepared a plan and we are working on it to develop five islands of the place for eco-tourism without disturbing their forests," he said while taking part in a budget programme of AajTak.

The minister said a group of five ministries is collectively working on the concept of island development to make them tourism destinations.