The state has no dearth of adventure attractions. From the dense mangroves of Sunderbans
for waterway rides to spot a staggering variety of flora and fauna including the famed Royal
Bengal Tiger, trek the Himalayan Mountains; or enjoy a safari in the misty forests of Jaldapara,
Chilapata.
Relevant Website: www.westbengal.gov.in
Government
Governor : Keshari Nath Chief Secretary : Malay Kumar De
Tripathi
Chief Minister : Mamata Banerjee Jurisdiction of High : Calcutta High Court
Court
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Area : 8,249 sq km Population : 3,79,944 (2001
census)
Capital : Port Blair Principal : Hindi, Nicobarese,
Languages Bengali, Tamil,
Malayalam, Telugu
History and Geography
The union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated between 6° and 14°
latitude and 92° and 94° longitude. The Islands located north of 10° north latitude are known as
Andaman Group of Islands while islands located south of 10° north latitude are called Nicobar
Group of Islands. The climate of the Islands can be defined as humid, tropical coastal climate.
The Islands receive rainfall from both the south-west and north-east monsoons and maximum
precipitation is between May and December.
The original inhabitants of Islands lived in the forests on hunting and fishing. There are four
Negrito tribes, viz., Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese in the Andaman Group of
Islands and two Mongoloid tribes, viz., Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar Group of
Islands.
Agriculture
Out of the geographical area of 8249 sq.km only 6 per cent i.e., around 50,000 ha which has
been reduced to 47,000 ha (of the Tsunami 2004) is at present under agriculture. Paddy, the main
food crop, is mostly cultivated in Andaman Group of Islands, whereas coconut and arecanut are
the cash crops of Nicobar Group of Islands. Field crops, namely, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables
are grown followed by paddy during rabi season. Different kinds of fruits such as mango, sapota,
orange, banana, papaya, pineapple and root crops are grown on hilly land. Spices, viz. pepper,
clove, nutmeg and cinnamon are grown under multi-tier cropping system. Rubber, red oil, palm
and cashew are grown on a limited scale in these Islands.