The Andaman Islands (10º30'-14ºN; 92-93ºE) are the emerged part of a mountain chain and lie on a ridge, which extends southward from the Irrawaddy delta area of Burma.
The Nicobar Islands (6º30'-9º30'N; 93-94ºE)
are high islands forming the southward extension of
this mountain chain.

There are about 321 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar group, with a total land area of 8293 sq. km. 38 of these islands are populated.

Coral reefs are of the fringing type, often several hundred meters wide and separated from the shore by a lagoon of similar width. A barrier reef to the west has also been reported but its precise coordinates are yet unknown. The coral diversity until a few years back was among the highest in Indian reefs, with 133 species under 57 genera. Recently, a large number of documented and visual new records have also been made, raising the total coral species numbers to 316 species under 78 genera.

These islands have a considerable stock of marine life. They have important nesting beaches for Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea, Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacoes and Green Turtle Chelonia mydea. The sea cow Dugong is also seen frequently in these islands. Several hundred estuarine crocodiles occur in densities inversely proportional to human population. Besides these, seashells of different sizes, varieties of fish like sardines, tuna, barracuda, mullets, mackerels and flying fishes are abundant. Fishing for sharks was a major industry until recently when a ban on their fishing was imposed.

Widespread and uncontrolled deforestation in the hills, resulting in massive siltation of the coastal waters, is a serious constraint to the survival of corals. Several resources like green turtles, crocodiles, sea cows and molluscan shells are overexploited by the islanders. Two sections of the Andaman reefs have been declared as Marine National Parks (Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park and Rani Jhansi National Marine Park) and enjoy protection. The Great Nicobar Island has been declared as a Biosphere Reserve.

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GULF OF KACHCHH --- GULF OF MANNAR --- LAKSHADWEEP --- ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

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