Andaman Area

	Andaman Islands: The Andaman Islands contain the most well preserved mangrove ecosystem in India. Mangroves occur in luxuriant formations, where the soil is covered with seawater at high tides. The dominant mangrove species are Rhizophora mucronata and R. stylosa. The other species include Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhisa, Xylocarpus mollusccensis etc. Fig: Map of Andaman Islands The total area of mangroves in India is 4827 km2 as per the estimate of the Forest Survey of India (1999). Out of this, 966 km2 area of mangrove vegetation occur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the Andaman district alone, area under mangroves is 929 km2. The mangrove of these islands constitutes 9.4% of the land area or 10.85% of the total forest area. Mangroves occurring in these islands are mostly fringing the creeks, backwaters and muddy shores. Luxuriant mangroves can be seen in Shoal Bay (South Andaman), Yeratta (Middle Andaman), Austin Creek (Mayabunder), Kalighat Creek and Cadell Bay (Diglipur). Fig:    Fringe mangroves of the Andaman Island with evergreen forest           on the background The mangrove forests are highly developed along the mudflats, estuaries, and borders of lagoons where, at high tide, the brackish water covers the region. They are protected against strong wind and wave action. The group of islands are separated from each other by a narrow but deep mangrove fringed creeks through which steep, often fast tidal currents flow. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their natural beauty, sandy beaches and rich marine biodiversity. Most of the islands are surrounded by fringing reefs on their eastern side and barrier reefs on the western side. The area covered by the reefs is about 2000 km2 i.e., 6% of the total continental shelf of these islands. They harbour rich population of corals, mollusks, fishes etc., and most of them have luxuriant mangrove closely associated with them. Coral reefs of Andaman Most of the Andaman Islands are surrounded by fringing reefs on the eastern side and barrier reefs on their western side. The area covered by the reefs is 2000 km2 i.e. 6% if the total continental shelf of these islands. They harbor a rich population of corals, mollusks, fishes etc, and most of them have luxuriant mangrove vegetation closely associated with them.
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