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Andaman & Nicobar rides the eco wave

Opens 15 islands to bidders to set up environmentally sensitive hotels

Preeti Kannan - Chennai

In an endeavour to retain the pristine charm of its eco-heritage, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is to open up 15 islands for the development of environmentally sensitive hotels and beach resorts. By the year-end, tenders will be invited for five islands, while by 2008 the remaining 10 islands will be open to bidders.

Speaking exclusively to Express Hospitality, Dharam Pal, tourism commissioner and secretary, ministry of tourism, said, "We have selected 50 sites on the 15 islands, and our strong focus is to set up eco-friendly hotels and resorts in the high-end category instead of budget hotels."

In the first phase, the government would introduce tenders from both the Indian and international hospitality players keen in developing hotels and resorts in Andaman & Nicobar, following which investors would put in their related proposals. In the second phase, the investors would revert back to the department with its projects, which would then be approved by the government for investment and development. The islands open to the bidders are Neil, Havelock, Little Andaman, North Passage, Peel, Aves Island, Rutland, Baratang, Cinque, Interview, Long Island, Middle Andaman, North Andaman, Smith and Ross Island and South Andaman.

Further deliberating on the new development, Pal, said that the government is keen on implementing the Green Globe standards - a global benchmarking, certification and improvement system for environmentally sensitive projects in all hotel projects in the selected islands.