Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has proposed opening a new transparent kayaking zone at Swaraj Dweep, a move aimed at expanding eco-tourism opportunities while reducing congestion on one of the island’s most popular water sports routes.
According to a notification issued by the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T), the proposed operational area lies between Neem-o-Reef and the jetty at Swaraj Dweep and has been identified as a suitable location for transparent kayaking activities following a risk assessment conducted under the provisions of the A&N Islands Watersports Guidelines, 2015.
Tourism officials said the proposal is intended to diversify kayaking operations on the island and provide additional opportunities for tourism stakeholders while ensuring effective monitoring and regulation of water sports activities.
At present, kayaking activities are concentrated primarily along the Jetty–Lighthouse stretch, which attracts a significant number of tourists. Authorities believe that introducing an additional kayaking corridor will help distribute visitor traffic more evenly and improve the overall experience for tourists.
The proposed kayaking route extends across a section of coastal waters known for its rich marine biodiversity and scenic underwater environment.
Officials noted that the Neem-o-Reef stretch contains diverse marine flora and fauna, making it particularly suitable for transparent kayaking, a form of recreational activity that allows participants to observe underwater ecosystems through clear-bottomed kayaks.
The Administration has proposed restricting operations in the new zone exclusively to transparent kayaks.
According to tourism authorities, the restriction has been designed to enhance visitor experiences while promoting environmental awareness and appreciation of the marine ecosystem.
By allowing tourists to view coral formations, marine vegetation and aquatic life from the kayak itself, officials hope to encourage responsible tourism and strengthen understanding of the Islands’ ecological resources.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to promote eco-friendly tourism experiences that minimise environmental impact while generating livelihood opportunities for local stakeholders.
Transparent kayaking has emerged as a popular attraction in several coastal tourism destinations because it combines recreational adventure with opportunities for nature interpretation and marine observation.
Tourism officials said the proposed expansion is expected to benefit operators by creating new business opportunities while reducing operational pressure on existing kayaking routes.
To regulate activity levels and maintain safety standards, the Directorate has proposed limiting operations to a maximum of two transparent kayaks per approved applicant.
Interested kayak operators, water sports centres and tourism stakeholders have been invited to submit applications to the Adventure Watersports Section of the Directorate of IP&T.
The department has stated that detailed eligibility criteria, operational guidelines, application procedures and other conditions can be obtained from the Adventure Watersports Section.
Authorities have indicated that permissions will be granted in accordance with applicable regulations and safety requirements under the Islands’ water sports framework.
The proposal reflects the Administration’s continuing efforts to diversify tourism offerings across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands while balancing recreational activities with environmental conservation.
Water-based tourism remains a major component of the Islands’ tourism economy, attracting visitors through activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, sea walking, kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides.
However, tourism planners have increasingly emphasized the importance of managing visitor pressure at popular locations and expanding tourism activities to alternative sites where environmental carrying capacity permits.
Officials said the risk assessment process undertaken before identifying the proposed kayaking zone was intended to ensure that operations can be conducted safely and sustainably.
The assessment examined navigational conditions, environmental considerations and operational feasibility before recommending the area for kayaking activities.
The proposed introduction of transparent kayaking at the Neem-o-Reef–Jetty stretch is also expected to complement ongoing efforts to promote nature-based tourism experiences that highlight the unique marine biodiversity of Swaraj Dweep.
If implemented, the new kayaking corridor would provide tourists with an additional opportunity to explore the island’s coastal environment while supporting sustainable tourism development and local entrepreneurship.
The Directorate is currently inviting applications and stakeholder participation as it moves forward with plans to operationalise the proposed transparent kayaking zone in one of the Islands’ most ecologically significant marine areas.
