Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The island has no permanent human habitation, except for a police outpost on the West Coast and a forest labor shed on the East Coast.

The terrain of Interview Island is almost flat, with steep, rugged hills towards the southeast. The major vegetation types on the island include Andaman Tropical Evergreen, Andaman Semi-Evergreen, Littoral, and Mangrove forests. The semi-evergreen forest is dominated by various tree species.

Interview Island is known for its rich biodiversity. It serves as an important refuge for the endemic and endangered Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons albogularis), a subspecies of Grey Teal. 

The best time to visit Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is from November to April when the weather is favorable for exploration and wildlife sightings.

Table of Contents Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary History Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna Mammals Birds Reptile Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the North and Middle Andaman administrative district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. It is situated in the southwest of North Andaman. 

It is separated by approximately 20 kilometers of sea from Mayabunder, a township in North Andaman. The sanctuary covers a significant portion of Interview Island, making it a vital conservation area for the island's unique biodiversity.

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the Veer Savarkar International Airport, also known as the Port Blair Airport, located in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:

As for the nearest railway station, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands do not have a railway network, so there are no railway stations on the islands. 

Visitors typically reach the islands by air or sea, with the Port Blair Airport and the Port Blair Harbour being the primary entry points. From there, they can use local transportation options to access various destinations, including Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary History

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary has a history tied to its conservation and the protection of its unique biodiversity. Here is a brief overview of the history of the sanctuary:

Establishment: Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary was officially declared as a wildlife sanctuary on February 16, 1987.

Purpose of Declaration: The primary purpose of declaring Interview Island as a wildlife sanctuary was to protect the island's natural environment and its wildlife. Specifically, the sanctuary was established to protect the feral population of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) that had been brought to the island in the early 1960s for timber operations. These elephants were abandoned on the island when the timber company went bankrupt, and their presence on the island raised concerns about their impact on the natural habitat.

Conservation Significance: Over the years, Interview Island has gained recognition for its rich biodiversity, including its importance as a habitat for the endemic and endangered Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons albogularis). The sanctuary is also known for its diverse bird species, coral formations, and various other wildlife.

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 133.87 square kilometers (51.74 square miles). This sanctuary is a significant expanse of land that plays a crucial role in conserving the unique biodiversity and ecosystems found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly on Interview Island itself.

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of flora, with different vegetation types found across the island. Here are some of the notable plant species and vegetation types in the sanctuary:

(1) Andaman Tropical Evergreen Forest:

This type of forest is characterized by tall trees with dense canopies. It includes species such as Dipterocarpus alatus, Artocarpus lakoocha, A. chaplasha, and Pterocarpus dalbergioides.

(2) Andaman Semi-Evergreen Forest:

Semi-evergreen forests have a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. In Interview Island, this forest type is dominated by species like Sterculia campanulata, Dipterocarpus alatus, Artocarpus lakoocha, A. chaplasha, and Pterocarpus dalbergioides.

(3) Littoral Forest:

Littoral forests are found near the coast and are adapted to saltwater conditions. These forests may include species like Pandanus spp., which are well-suited to coastal environments.

(4) Mangrove Forest:

Mangrove forests are found in coastal areas and are essential for coastal protection and as nurseries for various marine species. 

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)

What animals are in the Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary?

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse fauna, including various bird species, mammals, and marine life. Here are some of the notable species of fauna found in the sanctuary:

Mammals:

• Asian Elephant
• Spotted Deer
• Wild Boar
• Three-striped Palm Squirrel
• Palm Civet
• Andaman Masked Palm Civet
• Andaman Wild Pig

Birds:

• White-headed Starling
• Serpent-eagle
• Andaman Drongo
• Andaman Coucal
• Andaman Teal
• White-bellied Swiftlets
• Edible-nest Swiftlets
• Andaman Crake
• Andaman Hawk Owl

Reptiles:

• Snakes
• Lizards

Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions

Q. Which state is Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary in?

A. Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 

Q. When was Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary established?

A. Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary was officially declared as a wildlife sanctuary on February 16, 1987.

Q. What is the interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary famous for?

A. Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is famous for several reasons:

(i) Endemic and Endangered Species: The sanctuary is renowned for its role in the conservation of the endemic and endangered Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons albogularis), which is a subspecies of the Grey Teal. This bird species is of great conservation concern in India.

(ii) Important Bird Area (IBA): Interview Island is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its significance in the conservation of various bird species, including the Andaman Teal. It is considered one of the last refuges for this subspecies.

(iii) Swiftlet Conservation: The sanctuary is home to White-bellied Swiftlets (Collocalia esculenta) and Edible-nest Swiftlets (Collocalia fuciphaga), which nest in the cave complexes on the island. It is considered the most important cave complex for swiftlet conservation in the Andaman Islands.

(iv) Unique Ecosystems: Interview Island offers diverse habitats, including tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, littoral forests, mangroves, and coastal areas, making it an ecologically valuable site.