Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report
General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :
What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?
On arrival at Port Blair :
1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).
2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.
3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.
What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?
If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.
If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:
a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.
Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.
While sun-kissed beaches with gleaming waters seem like the idea of a perfect retreat, in Andamans, there is a longing for more. The archipelago floating in the Indian Ocean offers a tropical oasis with an exotic landscape with its cluster of islands, extraordinary biodiversity, and a plethora of natural marvels. Wondering what natural wonder we are exploring in this article today? Well, behold, a comprehensive know-it-all guide for travellers about 'Turtle Nesting' in Diglipur.
Turtle Nesting - What is it?
Turtle Nesting is a term collectively used to describe the process of sea turtles laying eggs on sandy beaches and the hatching of those eggs. The location and season of nesting entirely depend on the species of sea turtles. Andamans is a popular nesting site in the South Asian region— and the only one in India. During the nesting season, female turtles make their way to the beaches and dig a hole in the sand where they further lay their eggs. These sea turtles manage to place around 100 eggs in each nest and make 3–7 nests during the nesting season. Female turtles lay their eggs late at night and leave them unattended; ordinarily, the eggs take 45 – 90 days to hatch. They break open the shell with their temporary tooth, after which a plethora of hatchlings begin crawling through the soft sand towards the ocean for the first time.
Types of Sea Turtles Found in Diglipur
Diglipur relishes the geographical advantage that ensures the annual visits by four kinds of the turtles, namely Olive Ridley ?(Lepidochelys olivacea)?, Leather Back (Dermochelys coriacea) , Hawksbill ?(Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green Turtles ?(Chelonia mydas)?. The Olive Ridley turtles are well-known in the Andamans. They produce about 100 eggs on each occasion with an incubation period of approximately 60 days. The leatherbacks are an unusual species in the Andaman archipelago for their population is among the significant territories in Indi-Pacific region. They produce about 85 eggs in each nest with an incubation period of almost 80 days. Hawksbill turtles are deemed vital for they are the most abundant species in India. They lay around 150-200 eggs in each nest with an incubation period of 60 days. Green Turtle is the most prevalent species in the Andamans. The eggs of green turtles hatch in almost 50 days with a success rate of 90% on a natural nest. If the nest is artificially relocated or caused any disturbance, the success rate may drop to 65%.
Where in Diglipur?
To witness turtle nesting in Andamans, one can visit Rangat and get to the Aamkunj beach, the Dhaninallah beach or head to Karmatang, also known as ‘Turtle Paradise’ of India. When in Diglipur, Kalipur beach is one of the few beaches in the world, where four magnificent and rare species of sea turtles, as named above, arrive annually to nest their eggs. There are amenities rendered by the Forest department for turtle nesting at Kalipur beach. In fact, it is one of the few beaches where the government has built a hatchery for solely this purpose. Ross and Smith Islands are home to Olive Ridley turtles that are widely popular for turtle nesting. Being at the right time at the right place, travellers might get to witness this natural wonder. Ramnagar Beach also relishes the topographical advantage that ensures the annual visits by Olive Ridley turtles and is also a nesting ground for these magnificent creatures. There is an artificial hatchery set up here, and visitors can witness the female sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand, and after they hatch, watching them make their way to the vast ocean.
Getting there
The remote beaches of Diglipur Island attract uncounted numbers of sea turtles to nest along the island's shore. On the populated and popular nesting sites, the hidden nests are located, unearthed and relocated to guard these endangered species. ?Diglipur Island lies roughly 298 kilometres via road and 100 nautical miles (180 kilometres) via sea from Port Blair. Via road, Diglipur from Port Blair is a journey of almost 13 hours traversing through the Andaman Trunk road. Daily buses between Port Blair and Diglipur run in the morning. Travellers also have the alternative of private AC buses that offer more convenience and are more expensive. One can also hire a private cab from Port Blair to Diglipur to make the journey comfortable. While planning a getaway to Diglipur, one can also take the journey of almost 8-9 hours sailing via ferry from Port Blair to Diglipur.
Nesting Season
Turtle nesting takes place during the winter season, and visitors can witness this must-see occurrence between October and March. A sight to watch, if lucky, people can witness both phenomenons, the nesting and the hatching. The phenomenon is hugely influenced by weather conditions. The nesting season of Olive Ridley turtles starts in October and ends in April. The nesting season of leatherbacks starts from March and ends in July. The nesting period of Hawksbill starts in September and ends in October. The nesting season of green turtles starts in June and ends in November.
If you are a traveller
Turtle nesting is usually witnessed at night, and it is advised to hire a local guide. They know the region well, and would be the best bet at educating you about the process.
Remember, you must be quiet as a mouse during this time.
Remember, to not try and touch the turtles or the eggs or go near them. They might feel threatened and go back into the ocean.
Remember, to not feed the turtles.
Remember, to not litter on the beach. Especially with plastic as turtles often mistake it for jellyfish.
While you plan your vacation to Andamans, remember to keep the nesting season in mind, if you too would like to observe turtle nesting live in action. Andamans, with its idyllic beaches, awaits your arrival and Diglipur, with its concealed natural marvels. What are you waiting for?
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