Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 October 2025
The Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T), Andaman and Nicobar Administration, has prepared draft Beach Tourism Policy-2025 and Beach Tourism Guidelines-2025 to promote sustainable and regulated tourism while safeguarding the archipelago’s fragile ecosystems.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for exceptional biodiversity, comprise 836 islands of which only 31 are inhabited. With a 1,962-kilometre coastline, the archipelago features tropical rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows — and some of the world’s most ecologically sensitive beaches.
Tourism, particularly beach tourism, has risen sharply in recent years, bringing economic benefits but also increasing pressure on local environments and communities. Unregulated growth risks degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems, the Administration said, underlining the need for proactive management.
The draft policy provides a framework for sustainable, inclusive and responsible tourism, with an emphasis on conservation, community empowerment and responsible practices — especially important because many beaches lie in reserve forests and protected areas.
The Directorate has placed the draft Policy and Guidelines in the public domain on its official website (www.andamantourism.gov.in/Ann_all.php) for viewing and stakeholder review. All valuable comments, suggestions and inputs may be submitted in writing to the Director (IP&T), Directorate of IP&T, A&N Administration, Kamaraj Road, Sri Vijaya Puram, or by email to thedirectortourism@gmail.com. Submissions will be accepted within a period of 30 days — from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30.
