Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 14 March 2024
Today, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, led an interactive session at Raj Niwas with a vision to position the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a premium diving and tourist destination within the Indian Ocean Region.
In his address to stakeholders, Lt. Governor Joshi highlighted the unique features of the Union Territory, comprising one-third of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and encompassing 836 islands over 8250 square kilometres. He emphasised the unparalleled marine ecosystems and underwater landscapes found in the region, distinguishing it as an exceptional destination for diving enthusiasts. Lt. Governor Joshi proposed collaborative efforts to develop the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as the most premium diving destination across the entire Indian Ocean Region.
The meeting witnessed the presence of key figures including Mr. Nikhil Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary (I/C) of the A&N Administration, along with senior officers from various administrative departments including Andaman & Nicobar Police, Andaman & Nicobar Forest, and Andaman & Nicobar Command. Additionally, representatives from the tourism and dive industries of the A&N Islands, dive masters from different diving centres, and senior functionaries from Barefoot Andaman were in attendance.
Notably, experts from renowned organisations such as Scuba School International (SSI), Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Lacadives India, Dive India Scuba Pvt. Ltd., and the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) participated in the session through virtual conferencing. The NIWS, an autonomous organisation established under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 1990, lent its expertise to the discussions aimed at advancing the diving tourism sector in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The session underscored the collective determination of stakeholders to harness the region’s vast potential and foster sustainable development, ultimately establishing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a premier destination for underwater enthusiasts within the Indian Ocean Region.