Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 6: A heritage walk tracing key colonial-era sites in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural awareness and tourism engagement, officials said.
The ‘Kala Pani Trail’ was organised by the Art and Culture Department in collaboration with the INTACH Andaman and Nicobar Chapter. The initiative aims to provide participants with an immersive understanding of the islands’ historical and cultural legacy.
The walk commenced from Mazar Pahad and covered a series of historically significant sites, including the Ladies Convict Barrack, Blessington, Government Press, Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, before concluding at the Battle of Aberdeen Memorial.
Participants included students from the BBA programme of JNRM, members of tourism industry bodies such as the Andaman Association of Tour Operators and the Andaman Nicobar Tour Operators Association, personnel from the Indian Navy, and teachers from Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Officials stated that the walk was designed to offer first-hand exposure to the architectural features, historical narratives, and cultural significance of various landmarks in Sri Vijaya Puram. It also served as a learning platform for aspiring local guides and tourism students to understand heritage interpretation and storytelling.
The programme incorporated guided narration at each location, with Samhita Veda Acharya, Convenor of the INTACH Andaman and Nicobar Chapter, leading the session. Through storytelling, she explained the historical context of each site, enabling participants to connect with the events and structures associated with the colonial past of the islands.
The walk also featured participation from national award-winning teacher Chanchal Singha Roy, who narrated a short story titled “The Keeper of Silver Braid,” focusing on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and passing historical narratives to future generations.
Officials noted that such initiatives are intended to promote awareness of heritage conservation while encouraging public engagement with the islands’ historical assets. The programme also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen cultural tourism by creating experiential learning opportunities for visitors and residents.
The ‘Kala Pani Trail’ forms part of a series of heritage walks being organised to highlight the historical landscape of the islands and foster greater appreciation of their cultural identity.
