RETHINK TOURISM IN THE ANDAMANS TOWARDS BUILDING A BASE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM JUNE 2008 RETHINK TOURISM IN THE ANDAMANS TOWARDS BUILDING A BASE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Published in India, 2008 by EQUATIONS This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational, advocacy or not-for-profit purposes. We would appreciate your seeking permission from us, letting us know of the use you wish to put it to, and acknowledging us as the source. Citation: EQUATIONS, INTACH Andaman & Nicobar Islands Chapter, Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology, Kalpavriksh, Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management – TISS, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, ActionAid International India (2008) “Rethink Tourism in the Andamans – Towards Building a Base for Sustainable Tourism”, Bangalore, India. Core Group: EQUATIONS: Syed Liyakhat (Project Coordinator), Vidya Rangan, Deepa Kozhisseri and Rosemary Viswanath Field Team: Amit Biswas, Arvind Soreng, Ashok Mistry, Binata Halder, Jhantu Talukder, K. Krishna, Kuldip Kujur, Nabin Baroi, Nirmal Mondal, Pratap Dhali, Sangita Dhali, Vinod Lakra, Sangeeta Varadharajan and Malvika Tekta. Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage – Andaman & Nicobar Islands Chapter: Samir Acharya, Convener. Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology: Samir Acharya, Secretary. Kalpavriksh: Pankaj Sekhsaria and Seema Bhatt Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management – Tata Institute of Social Sciences: Prof. Janki B. Andharia, Chairperson, JTCDM ActionAid International – India, Tsunami Response Programme, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Anupama Muhuri, Harjeet Singh. Advisory Panel: Prof. Jayati Ghosh, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences Jawaharlal Nehru University Mr. Niranjan Khatri, General Manager ITC, Welcomenviron Initiatives, ITC – Hotels Mr. K T Suresh, Executive Director YUVA, General Body Member EQUATIONS EQUATIONS (Equitable Tourism Options) # 415, 2-C Cross, 4th Main, OMBR Layout, Banaswadi, Bangalore 560 043, India Ph: +91-80-25457607/25457659; Fax: +91-80-25457665 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.equitabletourism.org Editing and Layout design: CEPHA Imaging Pvt Ltd., Bangalore, India Cover Photos: Tourists at North Bay. In the background – New Wandoor Beach Pictures courtesy: EQUATIONS, Pankaj Sekhsaria and Seema Bhatt Acknowledgements n behalf of all six collaborating organisations, EQUATIONS would like to express Oour heartfelt gratitude to the people of the Andamans, especially all those commu- nity members who took time off from their daily schedules to interact with us and help build this research report. Their cooperation, perspectives and suggestions have been invaluable and to them we dedicate this report. We are very grateful to local elected rep- resentatives from all the field areas that the project covered, for interacting with the field team and putting forth their views on issues related to tourism affecting commu- nity members in their constituencies. School and College Principles who cooperated in our intervention on the debate and essay competition on Tourism in the Andamans helped us capture the views of young people on the future of tourism in the Islands deserve our thanks. Acknowledgements are also due to the Zilla Parishad, the Andaman and Nicobar Island Administration and all the officials from various departments and related bodies who gave time and shared their perspectives willingly on a range of issues this report investigates. Our thanks to members of the local hotel and tourism industry, especially members of the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry for sparing time to work with the research team on understanding and capturing the industry’s perspective on these issues. Our Advisory Panel members contributed will- ingly their time and expertise to steer the direction and perspectives of the research and recommendations. We are indeed grateful to them. Lastly, we are indebted to all those tourists, who despite being on a holiday took precious leisure time off to respond patiently to our questionnaires and make a valuable contribution to this endeavour. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements . iii Commonly Used Terms . v List of Figures, Tables, Maps . vi Abbreviations . x 1 Introduction. 1 2 Research Methodology . 3 3 Introducing the Andaman Islands . 13 4 Status of Tourism in the Andaman Islands . 25 5 Institutional, Governance and Policy Framework for Tourism Development in the Islands . 75 6 Socio-cultural Impacts of Tourism in the Andamans . 99 7 Economic Impacts of Tourism in the Andamans . 119 8 Environmental Impacts of Tourism in the Andaman Islands . 145 9 Tourism and Lack of Institutional Coordination in the Andamans . 195 10 Perspectives on Development of Tourism in the Islands . 205 11 Recommendations . 217 Bibliography . 233 Annexures . 241 Brief Profile of Collaborating Organisations . 313 Colour Plates. 315 iv Commonly Used Terms Bally a young tree Bigha unit of land measurement equivalent to about 1/3 acre. It was stan- dardized under British colonial rule at 1600 square yards (0.1338 hectare or 0.3306 acre) Donghie small-sized country boat with an outboard diesel engine used for fishing, transportation of people, material in Andaman Islands Gram village Gram Sabha the general body of the gram panchayat Gram Swaraj local self government Gram Panchayat village level local self government institution Panchayat local self government institution, comprising of one or more than one village Sarpanch head of five, head of the Nyaya Panchayat or local level dispute set- tlement body Up-Sarpanch deputy to the Sarpanch Pradhan head of gram panchayat Up-Pradhan deputy to the Pradhan Panchayat Samiti block level self government institution Pramukh head of the Panchayat Samiti Up-Pramukh deputy to the Pramukh Zilla Parishad district level self government institution Adhyaksh chairperson of the Zilla Parishad Up-Adhyaksh deputy chairperson of the Zilla Parishad v List of Figures, Tables, Maps Figure 3.1 Growth of Population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (1951–2001) Figure 4.1 Tourist Arrivals to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (1980–2006) Figure 4.2 Intra-year Seasonality in Domestic Tourist Arrivals to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2000–2006) Figure 4.3 Intra-year Seasonality in Foreign Tourist Arrivals to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2000–2006) Figure 4.4 Visitation of Tourist Spots in and around Port Blair by Domestic and Foreign Tourists Figure 4.5 Walkway Created in Mangrove Forest at Baratang, Leading to Limestone Caves Figure 4.6 The Beautiful Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island Figure 4.7 Laxmanpur Beach, Neil Island Figure 4.8 Redskin Island Beach Figure 4.9 Destinations in the Andamans Visited by Domestic Tourists Figure 4.10 Gender and Age Profile of Tourists Visiting the A&NI Figure 4.11 Nationality of Foreign Tourists Visiting the Islands Figure 4.12 Reasons for Domestic Tourists to Visit the Andaman Islands Figure 4.13 Reasons for Foreign and Domestic Tourists Choosing the Andamans as a Holiday Destination Figure 4.14 Attractions for Tourists Visiting the Andaman Islands Figure 4.15 Reasons that Make the Andamans Different from Other Island/Beach Destinations Figure 4.16 Main Activities Tourists Spent Time on During their Holiday in the Andamans Figure 4.17 Cellular Jail, Port Blair Figure 4.18 Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Port Blair Figure 4.19 Islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Figure 4.20 Tourists on a Glass Bottom Boat, Near Red Skin Island Figure 4.21 Means of Making Booking for Accommodation in the Andaman Islands Figure 4.22 Sources of Information to Tourists about Place of Stay in the Islands vi List of Figures,Tables, Maps vii Figure 4.23 Factors that Influence the Tourists’ Choice of Place of Stay in the Islands Figure 4.24 Satisfaction Levels of Tourists with Accommodation Facilities Figure 4.25 Improvement of Restaurants in the Andamans: Response from Tourists Figure 4.26 Rating of Tour Operators’ Services by Domestic Tourists Visiting the Islands Figure 4.27 Increase in Number of Daily Flights into Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&NI) in Comparison to Increase in Tourist Arrivals Figure 4.28 Airlines Used by Domestic and Foreign Tourists to Arrive at the Islands Figure 4.29 Tourist Responses on how Air Connectivity to the Islands Should Improve Figure 4.30 Rating of Potential Cruise Circuits by Domestic Tourists According to MoTC Cruise Tourism Study Figure 4.31 Rating of Potential Cruise Circuits by Foreign Tourists as from MoTC Cruise Tourism Study Figure 4.32 Radhanagar Beach Where ANIIDCO’s Property is Being Leased to Taj Group of Hotels for Development Figure 4.33 Baludera Beach, Baratang Figure 4.34 Grub Island, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Figure 6.1 Hypothetical Evolution of a Tourist Area Figure 6.2 Host Attitudinal/Behavioural Responses to Tourist Activity Figure 6.3 Queue for Tickets at Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair Figure 6.4 Woman Selling Fruits Near Havelock Island Jetty, Beach no. 1 Figure 7.1 Contribution of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Economy Figure 7.2 Ownership Pattern in Accommodation Establishments: Form of Ownership (a) Establishments in Port Blair (b) Establishments Outside of Port Blair Figure 7.3 Ownership Pattern in Accommodation Establishments: Place of Origin of Owner (a) Establishments in Port Blair Only (b) Establishments in Other Islands Figures 7.4, Donghie Owners Take Domestic Tourists from Nilambur Jetty to Limestone 7.5 Caves, Baratang Figure 7.6 Tea Stall Owner, Beach No. 3 Bazaar, Havelock Island Figure