Andaman and Nicobar administration is working to promote bird watching, as a means to attract tourists and raise awareness among the locals about the avian species in the archipelago, an official said on Saturday. Regarding the same, a public lecture was organised by the administration authorities with Avian Club Andaman and Nicobar.
"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 the Tourism Secretary Jyoti Kumari while speaking on this new initiative.
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The lecture was delivered by Arun Singh, an ornithologist and President of the Avian Club, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who has been at the forefront of bird conservation and eco-tourism advocacy in the region.
Singh said, "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."
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Notable endemic species, such as Andaman wood pigeon (state bird of Andaman), Andaman crake, and serpent eagle, attract global enthusiasts. meanwhile, the other birds like the ruddy kingfisher, beach thick-knee, and black-naped tern are rare and primarily found in the Andamans or parts of Southeast Asia, giving every visiting bird watcher a chance to tick something special off their list.
“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,” he added.
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