In a major boost to geotourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Geological Survey of India (GSI), in collaboration with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, has identified four locations across the archipelago as Geoheritage Sites. The initiative aims to place the islands firmly on India’s geological tourism map by highlighting sites of unique geological importance that offer insights into the earth’s ancient past. The Department of Art and Culture, A&N Administration, has been designated as the nodal agency for the implementation of this project.
A team of senior GSI officers led by Dr. Santanu Bhattacharjee, Deputy Director General, West Bengal and Andaman Nicobar Islands, recently visited the Union Territory to assess these sites. During the visit, the team also inspected the Science Centre at Sri Vijaya Puram, where they installed educational signage highlighting key facts about the selected Geoheritage sites. The move is part of a broader campaign to make geological science more accessible to the general public and foster appreciation for the natural history embedded in the region’s terrain.
The four sites identified by GSI include the Mud Volcanoes at Baratang Island in Middle Andaman, the Natural Coral Bridge at Shaheed Dweep in South Andaman, Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, and Narcondam Island, an extinct volcanic island of both geological and ecological importance. These locations have now been officially recognised for their scientific value and natural wonder, and steps are being taken to raise awareness among both tourists and locals.
At Baratang, the mud volcanoes continue to attract interest for their sporadic eruptions and dramatic conical structures formed by the ejection of mud, clay, and methane gas. These features are the result of subsurface tectonic activity and overpressure, with the largest of these formations spanning 100 metres in diameter and rising up to 30 metres in height. The presence of such geological phenomena is also considered indicative of underlying hydrocarbon reserves. In addition to the mud volcanoes, Baratang is home to other natural attractions including limestone caves, Parrot Island, and Baludera Beach.
The Natural Coral Bridge at Shaheed Dweep (formerly Neil Island) is another striking feature. Sculpted over centuries by oceanic forces, the twin bridge-like formations made from living corals are best viewed during low tide. Composed of calcareous limestone deposits known as the Neil Formation, these natural bridges are rich in coralline algae, corals, and foraminifera, microfossils that provide valuable data for understanding past marine environments.
Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea, is part of a chain of volcanoes that extends from Sumatra to Myanmar and is the only site in India where volcanic activity continues to this day. The island, which is uninhabited, covers about 3 km in width and contains a 2-km-wide caldera created by a massive eruption in the late Pleistocene. The volcano is composed of basaltic lava flows and volcaniclastic deposits, and its active status continues to make it a subject of scientific study.
Narcondam Island, another volcanic formation, lies further north and is now extinct. Formed from volcanic rocks and last active during the Holocene period, Narcondam rises 710 metres above sea level and spans approximately 6.8 square kilometres. It is part of the inner arc of the Andaman–Java Subduction Complex. Apart from its geological interest, the island also holds ecological significance as the sole habitat of the endangered Narcondam Hornbill.
The GSI team carried out detailed documentation, photography, and videography of the locations, which will be used for scientific outreach and tourism promotion. Informational signboards have been installed at these sites to educate visitors about their geological relevance. According to officials, the A&N Administration is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the GSI to facilitate long-term research, conservation, and promotion of these and other potential Geoheritage sites in the islands.
With the formal recognition of these four sites, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to attract increased attention from geologists, students, and eco-tourists, adding a valuable new dimension to the region’s tourism offerings.
