Andaman & Nicobar Islands Set Guinness World Records:
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently hosted two unique underwater world records at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) to promote eco-tourism and establish the islands as a prime adventure destination.
- The events included the “Largest Flag Unfurled Underwater” near Radha Nagar Beach, where a 60m x 40m Indian flag was unfurled, and the “Tallest Human Stack Underwater” near the lighthouse area, where divers formed a 10-meter-high stack, both aiming to set new world records.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands - The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a Union Territory of India comprising 836 islands, islets, and rocks located in the Bay of Bengal, with Port Blair as its capital.
- Swaraj Dweep, formerly known as Havelock Island, is part of the Ritchie’s Archipelago in the Andaman Islands.
- It was renamed in 2018 to honour India’s freedom struggle and national identity.
- The Ten Degree Channel, located near the 10° north latitude, separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
- Great Nicobar Island is the largest island in the Nicobar group, covering about 910 sq km, while Indira Point on this island marks the southernmost point of India.
- The islands are home to five Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): Great Andamanese, Jarwa, Onge, Shompen, and Sentinelese.
- The region is known for its rich biodiversity, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and endemic flora and fauna species, and is also important for tourism activities such as eco-tourism and scuba diving.
- The islands hold major strategic significance due to their proximity to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, and host India’s only integrated tri-service command.
