GREAT NICOBAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Flora & Fauna

Pressures & Threats

Management Strategy

    INTRODUCTORY DETAILS :

            The Great Nicobar Island is the southern most island of Andaman & Nicobar archipelago and also the southernmost part of  India. It lies between 6°45’ and 7°15’N latitudes and 93°38’ and 93°55’E longitudes and is about 482 kms south of Port Blair. The area is the home of one of the most primitive tribes of India viz., shompens. This area also inhabits one of the most endangered species viz., Megapode as well as the edible-nest swiftlet(Collocalia fuciphaga). Total geographic area of this island is about 1044 sq.km. The island presents varied natural panorama covered with virgin lush evergreen dense tropical forests extending from seacoast to the tip of the hills.

         An area of 885 sq.km. of this island is constituted as the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve in January 1989 for preserving biological diversity with the following broad objectives :

• conservation of the representative samples of ecosystem;

•  provision of long-term conservation of genetic diversity in situ;

•  promotion of basic and applied research work and its monitoring; and

• dissemination of experience for education and training.

        Flora :

            The Great Nicobar represent the tropical rain forests in Andaman & Nicobar Islands biogeographic region. About 85% of the forest in this Biosphere Reserve is still in its virgin state and rich in species composition. Important species include Ficus (5 species), Terminallia (2 species),    Pandanus    tanctoria,    Pynanga coastata, Sterculia alata, Ipomea spp., Casaurina sp., Nipa Palm,  Albizia procera, Canarium euphyllum, Callophyllum spp., Syzizium Cuminii, Eliocarpus gangestrus(Rudraksha tree), Malinkara litoris, Rhizophora spp., Brugeria spp., Ceriops tagal, Canes etc. The characteristic tree fern (Cyathea albosetacea) as well as the beautiful ornamental ground orchid (Phalaenopsis speciosa) are not only endemic but are only found in this southern most island.

       Fauna :

            Unique fauna of this Biosphere Reserve include     Crab    Eating    Macaque    (Macaca fascicularis), Salt water crocodile(Crocodylus porosus), Giant leather back turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Malayan box turtle, Nocobar tree shrew, Nicobar Megapode, Reticulated  python   and   the   Giant   Robber Crab(Birgus lactro). Other important species include Andaman Wild pig, Palm Civet, Fruit Bat, Nicobar Pigeon, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Parakeets, Nicobar Parakeets, Water monitor lizard etc.

Pressures and Threats :

            One of the major threats to this Biosphere Reserve is from foreign poachers from neighboring countries. These poachers frequently visit this island and also the nearby islands mainly for collection of sea cucumber, collection of nests of edible-nest swiftlet bird and also for poaching of Crocodiles, Turtles and other Wildlife. These poachers use high-speed boats and are armed with modern weapons. The protection staff of the Department of Environment and Forests is not  fully equipped with proper arms and communication facility to match these poachers. Their mobility in the sea is also affected to a great extent due to lack of high-speed sea-worthy vessels.

         Increase in human population is also an important threat to the fragile ecosystem of this island. Main reason of increase in population is influx of people from outside mainly from mainland. Increase in population has resulted in clearing areas for development activities in past and has affected the biodiversity adversely. Some of the local population is also reported to be involved in megapode hunting and illegal collection of forest/wildlife produce. Influx of population has also resulted in introduction of exotics like Lantana weeds and domestic animals like dogs which have become a big menace to the nesting of leatherback turtle in the southern-east part of Great Nicobar.

Increase in human population has led to man-animal conflict as well. The crab-eating macaque (commonly known as Nicobar monkey) which is a Schedule-I animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is reported to be causing a lot of damage to the horticulture crops of the settlers along the south-east road. 

Management Strategy :

            The management strategy for the development and improvements in this National Park aims at:

(a)        Providing effective protection to the natural habitat of this area against poachers and other miscreants by equipping the forest protection personnel with better communication facilities and improved mobility.

(b)        Conserving the natural habitat and protecting it against over exploitation by involving local people in protection of the wildlife resources and by providing them alternate means of livelihood.

(c)        Improving the habitat through suitable habitat improvement measures.

(d)        Promoting research to facilitate involvement of new scientific and improved management practices.

(e)        Generating awareness in the minds of people and young children about the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation.

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