Great Nicobar Island of India

Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost and the largest island of the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It was also recorded as “Cui Lan Island“. It covers 921 km sq. of area and population of 8067.

Overview
Location: Southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands Another Name: Cui Lan Island Area: 921 sq. Km Jurisdiction: India Protected: Majority designated as Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve

About Great Nicobar Island

• It is the southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the Largest of the Nicobar Islands of India.
• Recorded as “Cui Lan island” during the voyages of Zheng He in the Mao Kun map of the Wu Bei Zhi.
• Covers 921 km2 area with population of 8067.
• Many rivers flow through the island such as Alexandra, Amrit Kaur, Dogmar and Galathea.
• Mount Thullier has the highest elevation of any point in the Nicobars (642 m above sea level).
• This island is home to mainly the Shompen People.
• It has group of 836 islands.
• Great Nicobar Island was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami with many deaths, and was cut off from all outside contact for over a day.
• Indira Point is the southernmost point of the Great Nicobar Island and India itself. This Point subsided 4.25 m in the 26 December 2004 tsunami and the lighthouse there was damaged, which made functional after that.

Flora and Fauna

Great Nicobar Island

It is home to many endemic species that include – Nicobar scrubfowl (Megapodius nicobariensis), the edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus), the Nicobar long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Giant leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Malayan box turtle, Nicobar tree shrew, Reticulated python (Python reticulatus) and the giant robber crab (or coconut crab, Birgus latro).

• Majority of the island is designated as the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
• Protected Sites –
  • Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
  • Campbell Bay National Park
  • Galathea National Park

Major Infrastructures

• International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) – The International Container Transshipment Terminal, Great Nicobar Island is a proposed mega trans-shipment deep water port.
• International Transshipment Port (ITP) – A deep-sea port at Campbell Bay to serve as a major hub for global maritime trade.
• Greenfield International Airport – Development of a modern airport to boost connectivity and support tourism.
• Naval Air Station – Under the joint-services Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) of the Indian Armed Forces, a naval air base station was setup near the Campbell Bay named as INS Baaz Naval air station.

Great Nicobar Island - INS BAAZ

Ecological Significance

• High biodiversity with unique flora and fauna, including endangered species.
• Important for marine life and coral reefs.
• Plays a crucial role in climate regulation.
• Designated a World Network of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2013.

Map of the Island

Great Nicobar Island Map

References

1. News Sources
2. Wikipedia
3. Britannica