Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 March 2025
The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), in collaboration with the Andaman Science Association, organized a one-day workshop titled “Harnessing the Potential of Agro-Ecotourism in the A & N Islands” at its Garacharma campus. The workshop witnessed the participation of 96 attendees, including officials from the Directorate of Agriculture, A & N Administration, representatives from tour and travel associations, hotel industry members, progressive farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Chandrakasan Sivaperuman, Scientist E and Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, graced the event as the Chief Guest. He applauded the agro-ecotourism efforts undertaken by ICAR-CIARI and emphasized the need to promote additional agro-ecotourism sites beyond Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island), the region’s primary tourist destinations.
Highlighting the potential of agro-ecotourism in creating educational and entertaining experiences for visitors, Dr. Sivaperuman stressed that such initiatives could also boost the market for local spices and products, generating additional income for farmers. He further underscored the importance of integrating bird watching and butterfly observation into agro-ecotourism offerings, considering the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ rich biodiversity, home to many endemic bird species. Additionally, he urged for leveraging social media platforms to promote these agro-ecotourism sites effectively.
Presiding over the event, Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, elaborated on the Agro-Ecotourism Model developed by the institute at its Garacharma and Sippighat farms. He highlighted the workshop’s objective of exploring agro-ecotourism’s potential to boost farm incomes, diversify the rural economy, and preserve the islands’ cultural heritage. Dr. Chakurkar announced that the newly developed agro-ecotourism site is ready to welcome visitors, with entry ticket pricing in the final stages of approval.
Mr. M. Vinod, President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators, lauded the region’s rich biodiversity, encompassing both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. He expressed optimism about agro-ecotourism’s potential to provide sustainable livelihoods for island residents. Mr. Vinod also called upon the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) to collaborate with ICAR-CIARI to include bird and butterfly watching in their future initiatives, adding value to agro-ecotourism offerings.
Following the inaugural session, a technical session was conducted where leading experts provided insights into various aspects of agro-ecotourism. Dr. E. B. Chakurkar presented an overview of ecotourism models, while Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CIARI, discussed horticulture-based agro-ecotourism models. Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist and Head at ICAR-CIARI, highlighted the role of aquatic life and animals in enhancing the ecotourism experience.
The plenary session featured valuable perspectives from key stakeholders, including Mr. Ankit Tripathy, General Secretary of the Tourist Vehicle Owners’ Association, Mr. T.K. Jijith Rekh, Owner of Junglee Mirchi Hotel & Resort, Mrs. Bhanumathi, a progressive farmer and agri-entrepreneur, and Mrs. Rani, another progressive farmer. They collectively emphasized the importance of increasing awareness about agro-ecotourism through social media platforms to attract a wider audience. The speakers advocated for policies that facilitate ease of doing business for agro-ecotourism operators and called for the identification and promotion of potential agro-ecotourism sites through an online platform. Additionally, they recommended providing subsidies to encourage participation and investment in agro-ecotourism ventures, particularly in rural areas.
The workshop concluded with an Agro-Eco Walk at the Garacharma and Sippighat farms, offering participants an immersive experience of ICAR-CIARI’s agro-ecotourism models. Dr. Pooja Bohra, Senior Scientist, and Dr. Ajit Arun Waman coordinated the walk, while Dr. Arun Kumar De, Senior Scientist, facilitated the technical event. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. T. Sujatha, the Organizing Secretary.
The workshop underscored the immense potential of agro-ecotourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, setting the stage for future initiatives that could drive sustainable development and create livelihood opportunities for the local population.