Tourism in the Andaman Islands: An Anthropological Perspective

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As an in-depth, empiricism-based, analytical and scholarly exercise, this book highlights the reputation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as jewel of anthropology and tourism. Tourism as an amalgamated concept is not lust merely the transient movement of individuals to tourism destinations from their actual place of residences, but also it is analyzed and viewed as the organization and conduct of their activities, infrastructural facilities and services that are usually required to meet the demands for exotic locale, foods, wild and adventurous games etc. Of late, tourism has swept away the then stigma attached to the identity of these islands as "Kala Pani" literally Black Waters (Penal Settlement) and the unfriendly tribal communities. These islands have earned an immaculate concept of being referred to as "Mini-India" or "Miniature India" that accommodate a very rich assembly of diverse social melting pot of heterogeneous host communities coupled with six different tribal people. With the background of the splendid aspect of major natural attractions, graphical position in relative isolation, floating just like necklace on jasper sea led a charm existence being nurtured with elemental beauty, wrath of natural phenomena, the turbulent Indian Ocean in the Bay of Bengal, occupying the seismic zone experiencing recurrent of natural disasters, the changing fine mosaic of population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- a glorious amicable co-existence of the people belonging to diverse backgrounds, colours, faiths etc portray the cultural facet tribal and other host communities that has added the most fabulous: dimension of tourism. Now the charm existence of these islands and the friendliness of tribal communities have added more feathers in the cap of tourism activities as discernible. Meaning of tourist is poles apart. The study focuses on identifying the places of tourist interest, natural magnetios and significance, simultaneously dishes the type of tits, relatable motivation and purposes, roles of Gener officials and vested tour operators, prevalence of infrastructure facilities transport, and communication system besides her supporting helping hands for travellen. Attempt has also been made to understand the etic (outsiders-tours) and emic views (people-host communties) vis-a-vis tourism in the islands and finally to evaluate the emergence, growth and impact of tourism on local cultures and ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago Tourism in Andaman Islands has been imposed on the tourists; rather than improving the existing facilities Historians advocate preservation of certain runs like the jail and gallows at Viper Island as historical site. Host communities feared sex tourism as elsewhere in the world. Snorkelling and scuba diving have caused enough damage to the coral life in the continental shelves. In the wake of tourism, wood industries are doing escalating brisk business; this can cause devastation to forests wealth, if not nip in the bud. The mounting alien menace of foreign poachers to extract forests and marine wealth that dilates the gravity of the isolation of these islands on the lap of nature have added serious anxiety to the multifaceted problem, thereby irked the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. But the attraction of making trip to these islands seem unavoidable, peace seekers and travellers seek to stroll on the fine white sand and experience a feeling of joy, seeing the wet-sand melts beneath their own feet and eyes, which most tourists recall the Andaman Islands in their memories lane as paradise dream destination Thereby, the title of this book has suitably been chosen as such, because these islands host jaunt to tourists from all walks of life.

Just like elsewhere on earth, the Andaman Islands are gaining popularity as paradise dream destination. These Islands are blessed with glimmering sea beaches, crystal clear lagoons, dense evergreen forests, undulating awe-inspiring landscape and endless variety of rare flora and fauna etc are rarest gifts of nature; all would pave the way in future for the remarkable scope for development of up market international tourism in this Union Territory. The pristine silvery beaches on the edge of meandering coastlines are fringed with coconut trees, which swing to the rhythm of the mighty surfing sea seem like waving at travellers on board ships cruising along these islands. The azure sea around the islands offers excellent scope for feral and adventurous water sports. Certain isolated unspoiled virgin beaches provide privacy to overseas tourists- foreigner and domestic; where such travellers would love to spend their holiday times in sun-bathing or walking on the wet glistening beaches, yet few enjoy swimming on the crest waves of glee and others immersed in ogling at the sunset as if they are sitting in the lap of gods and goddesses. New every morning is the love and no one would like to miss witnessing the sun rising on the horizon and the purple deep sea assumes a new hue. The effect of the blue sky, the green forest and the wind on the seawater is actually a sight that no words can describe. Strong elements of tourism prevail that travellers are bound to reminisce their trips to these islands; as paradise dream destination.

Anthropological approach to study the places of tourist interest in any places, as an element of civilization, has become an important and independent discipline of research all over the world. The Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago have splendid enlightening element of tourism to 'pull and push' effect jaunt to tourists from all walks of life. This study focuses on identifying the places of tourist interest, natural magnetism, their significance and simultaneously distinguish the kind of tourists, relatable motivation and purposes, to assess the roles of Government officials and vested tour operators, prevalence of infrastructure facilities, transport and communication system and other supporting helping hand for tourists, last but not least to understand the etic and emic view and finally to evaluate the emergence, growth and impact of tourism on local cultures and ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago.

During the course of anthropological investigation in different places of tourist interest in south Andaman data were collected with the help of formulated guidelines and schedules designed for the present study. The interview method of various types such as structured interview, focus interview, personal interview and to a lesser extent unstructured interview whenever necessary were applied in order to obtain the chosen data. Besides interview, observation techniques of different types were also employed in this context. Data were also gathered from secondary source of information such as the ethnic profile of host communities, flora and fauna and other related parameters for this purpose. However, the present study have relied primarily on original first-hand observations on the identity of tourists, their motivations and purposes, roles of Government officials and vested interests of tour operators and agents in managing the resources, etic and emic view of appreciating each other's cultures and of course on the emergence and growth of tourism coupled with its impact on the local cultures and ecology of these archipelagoes as well, which are of course the main objectives of this study as spelled out before.

**Contents and Sample Pages**