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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Coordinates: 11°32′N 92°36′E / 11.53°N 92.60°E / 11.53; 92.60
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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (M.G.M.N.P)
This is the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Port Blair, Andaman Islands. Its popularly known as "Jolly buoy" islands.
Map
LocationAndaman Islands, India
Nearest cityWandur
Area281.5 km2 (108.7 sq mi)
Established1983
Labyrinth Islands
Nickname: North Mahatma Gandhi Islands
Labyrinth Islands is located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Labyrinth Islands
Labyrinth Islands
Location of Labyrinth Islands
Geography
LocationBay of Bengal
Coordinates11°32′N 92°36′E / 11.53°N 92.60°E / 11.53; 92.60
ArchipelagoAndaman Islands
Adjacent toIndian Ocean
Total islands17
Major islands
  • Boat
  • Red Skin    
Area29.043 km2 (11.214 sq mi)land area
Highest elevation78 m (256 ft)[1]
Highest pointTarmugli Island
Administration
DistrictSouth Andaman
Island groupAndaman Islands
Island sub-groupRutland Archipelago
TehsilPort Blair Tehsil
Largest settlementJolly Buoy Beach
Demographics
Population0 (2011)
Additional information
Time zone
PIN744103[2]
Telephone code031927 [3]
Official websitewww.andamans.gov.in/Brochures/ef/MGMNP.pdf
Census Code35.639.0004
Official LanguagesHindi, English

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a national park in India, near Wandoor on the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[4]

History

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The park was created on 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea turtles prevalent in the area. It was placed under the protection of the Chief Wildlife Warden of the forest department of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and it is open creeks running through the park area were a special attraction.[5]

[edit]
  • Island dock
    Island dock
  • Jolly bouy beach
    Jolly bouy beach
  • Sea of glass in the island
    Sea of glass in the island
  • Beachside view
    Beachside view
  • White sand beach in the island
    White sand beach in the island

Geography

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There are 2 major island groups in the park: the Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands. The islands are situated 16 km (10 mi) south from Port Blair. The marine park covers 281.5 km2 made up of 17 islands and the open sea creeks running through the area. There is a chance for ecotourism on the islands of Jolly Buoy and Red Skin.[6][7][8] The islands belong to the Rutland Archipelago and are located between Rutland Island and South Andaman Island.

Ecosystems of the Island

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Most of the coral reefs in the park are fringing reefs. The type and composition of vegetation vary from island to island. Most notably there you can see a difference between the tourist islands which suffer more anthropocentric change and others which do not. There are also some islands more isolated or protected from the effects of weather in the Bay of Bengal. Tarmugli, the largest island, is covered with thick mangrove vegetation, sand covered beaches, uprooted trees and sheet rocks.[9] Twin Islands are an important breeding ground for turtles within the park.

List of Islands

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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has some 20 islands and rocks.

  Island Sobriquet type Location Area
(hectares)		 Coastline (km) Length (km) Width (km) elevation (m)
1 Alexandra island 11°34′36″N 92°36′38″E / 11.57667°N 92.61056°E / 11.57667; 92.61056 408.8 9.3 2.5 2.00 0.00
2 Bell island 11°34′08″N 92°33′57″E / 11.56889°N 92.56583°E / 11.56889; 92.56583 6.7 1 0.38 0.21 0.00
3 Boat island 11°31′35″N 92°33′38″E / 11.52639°N 92.56056°E / 11.52639; 92.56056 247.6 7.71 2.7 1.3 27.00
4 Chester island 11°33′06″N 92°35′10″E / 11.55167°N 92.58611°E / 11.55167; 92.58611 6.6 1.00 0.33 0.33 0.00
5 Grub island 11°33′06″N 92°35′10″E / 11.55167°N 92.58611°E / 11.55167; 92.58611 2.3 0.7 0.13 0.25 24.00
6 Hobday island 11°32′40″N 92°36′42″E / 11.54444°N 92.61167°E / 11.54444; 92.61167 367.80 10.50 3.23 1.91 0.00
7 Jolly Buoy island 11°30′26″N 92°36′41″E / 11.50722°N 92.61139°E / 11.50722; 92.61139 18.80 2.50 1.10 0.20 45.00
8 Malay island 11°31′48″N 92°36′12″E / 11.53000°N 92.60333°E / 11.53000; 92.60333 80.20 4.25 1.71 0.61 68.00
9 Pluto island 11°33′06″N 92°35′10″E / 11.55167°N 92.58611°E / 11.55167; 92.58611 13.3 1.81 0.75 0.22 49.00
10 Red Skin island 11°33′00″N 92°35′30″E / 11.55000°N 92.59167°E / 11.55000; 92.59167 428.20 12.39 4.9 1.4 46.00
11 Riflemen island 11°30′50″N 92°38′40″E / 11.51389°N 92.64444°E / 11.51389; 92.64444 2.40 0.70 0.27 0.15 0.00
12 Snob island 11°35′55″N 92°34′27″E / 11.59861°N 92.57417°E / 11.59861; 92.57417 17.65 2.18 0.96 0.26 75.00
13 Tarmugli island 11°34′30″N 92°33′00″E / 11.57500°N 92.55000°E / 11.57500; 92.55000 1216.70 20.00 5.5 3.8 78.00
14 West Twin island 11°33′06″N 92°35′10″E / 11.55167°N 92.58611°E / 11.55167; 92.58611 38.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 48.00
15 East Twin island 11°33′06″N 92°35′10″E / 11.55167°N 92.58611°E / 11.55167; 92.58611 20.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 44.00
16 North Hobday island 11°33′30″N 92°36′30″E / 11.55833°N 92.60833°E / 11.55833; 92.60833 17.80 1.93 0.00 0.00 0.00
17 Rutland island 11°33′38″N 92°35′55″E / 11.56056°N 92.59861°E / 11.56056; 92.59861 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
18 ? island 11°32′22″N 92°35′02″E / 11.53944°N 92.58389°E / 11.53944; 92.58389 10.10 1.77 0.00 0.00 0.00
  Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Islands Archipelago 11°32′22″N 92°35′02″E / 11.53944°N 92.58389°E / 11.53944; 92.58389 2904.5       0.00

Administration

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Politically, all islands are part of Port Blair Taluk.[10]

Demographics

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The islands are on uninhabited land, but there is a population of 6237 living in 6 adjacent villages (mainly Manglutan and Wandoor)

[edit]
  • Jolly Buoy Island, one of the 20 islands in the national park.
    Jolly Buoy Island, one of the 20 islands in the national park.
  • Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Port Blair, Andaman Islands
    Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Port Blair, Andaman Islands
  • Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park during sunset .
    Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park during sunset .

References

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  1. ^ Sailing Directions (Enroute), Pub. 173: India and the Bay of Bengal (PDF). Sailing Directions. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2017. p. 278.
  2. ^ "A&N Islands - Pincodes". 22 September 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "STD Codes of Andaman and Nicobar". allcodesindia.in. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Village Code Directory: Andaman & Nicobar Islands" (PDF). Census of India. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  5. ^ "Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park". www.indiatravelnext.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Red Skin Island in Andaman and Nicobar, About Red Skin Island in Andaman". www.indiatravelnext.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  7. ^ Jolly Buoy Island, More information, Reaching there, and boat schedules
  8. ^ red skin island
  9. ^ Tarmugli
  10. ^ "DEMOGRAPHIC – A&N ISLANDS" (PDF). andssw1.and.nic.in. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
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