The Government is considering a proposal to open up five islands of Andaman & Nicobar to tourists to promote them as eco-tourism destinations, said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday, following his return from Andaman Islands.
The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago comprises more than 500 islands, many of which are uninhabited and restricted. Javadekar said, adding he explored the potential for developing five islands from tourism perspective.
“I went to the place recently to meet people. It is 94 per cent forest and rest is Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The place is so beautiful it can easily beat Thailand and Phuket... But due to our policies we could not open it for public,” said Javadekar, adding a group of five Ministries is collectively working on the concept of island development to make them tourism destinations.
In another development, the Environment Ministry held the ninth meeting of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change on Monday.