Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory of India. The sanctuary encompasses a variety of habitats, including open sea, coral reefs, vegetated islands, Andaman evergreen forests, and tidal mangroves.
Visitors can reach Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary by air, with the nearest airport being Port Blair. Alternatively, there are frequent ship services available for passengers traveling to Port Blair from Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Chennai. Ferries also connect this island to Mayabunder, Gandhighat Jetty, Uttara Jetty, as well as Port Blair.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is from November to April.
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Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Arial Bay, which is part of the Andaman Islands in India. Specifically, it is located in the North and Middle Andaman Administrative District, and it includes various islands within the Arial Bay Group of Islands, such as Smith Island, Chatham Island, Ross Island, and Ox Island. The largest and only inhabited island among them is Smith Island.
Visitors can access this sanctuary by air through the nearest airport in Port Blair or by sea via ship services from Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Chennai, Mayabunder, Gandhighat Jetty, Uttara Jetty, and Port Blair.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport to Arial Island, Andaman Islands, is Veer Savarkar International Airport, located in Port Blair. This airport serves as the primary gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From Port Blair, visitors can take further transportation, including ferries, to reach Arial Island.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:
There is no railway network in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including Arial Island. The islands are primarily accessible by air and sea.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary History
Establishment: Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary was officially notified on 16 February 1987. This date marks the official recognition and establishment of the sanctuary for the protection and conservation of its unique biodiversity and natural habitats.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area
The Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 0.05 square kilometers (50,000 square meters). This relatively small area is designated to protect and conserve the diverse wildlife and habitats found on the island and in the surrounding waters, including coral reefs, vegetated islands, mangroves, and more.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
The flora of the Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary is diverse and consists of various plant species that are adapted to the island's tropical climate and unique ecosystems. Here are some common types of flora that you can find in such a tropical island sanctuary:
Andaman Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides): This is a valuable timber tree found in the Andaman Islands known for its redwood.
Andaman Bullet Wood (Mimusops andamanica): A tree species native to the Andaman Islands, known for its hard and durable wood.
Pandanus Species (Pandanus spp.): Pandanus trees are common in tropical coastal areas and are known for their distinctive prop roots and spiky leaves.
Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)
The Arial Island Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of fauna, including various species of birds, reptiles, and marine life. Here are some of the notable wildlife species that can be found in and around the sanctuary:
Mammals:
- Andaman Horseshoe Bat
- Andaman Rat
- Andaman Shrew
- Crab-eating Macaque
- Wild Boar
- Fruit Bats
Birds:
- Nicobar Pigeon
- Andaman Crake
- White-headed Starling
- Serpent-eagle
- Andaman Drongo
- Andaman Coucal
Reptiles:
- Andaman Water Monitor Lizard
- Green Sea Turtle
- Hawksbill Turtle
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