Saturday, October 7, 2023

Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC

The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The sanctuary is located in the Islands biogeographic zone, specifically in the Andaman Islands.


The best time to visit the Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is from November to April, which corresponds to the drier and more favorable weather conditions in the Andaman Islands.


Table of Contents

  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location
  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary History
  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area
  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna
    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Reptile
  • Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions


Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location

The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the South Andaman Administrative District in the Andaman Islands, India. Specifically, it is situated on Defence Island, which is positioned south of the Jirkatang village in the Andaman Islands. The sanctuary also encompasses the neighboring waters around Defence Island. 


Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to the Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the Veer Savarkar International Airport, which is located in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From Port Blair, visitors can take various modes of transportation, including ferries, to reach the sanctuary.


Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:

However, there is no railway station on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These islands are not connected to the Indian mainland by rail. 


Travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is primarily done by air or sea, with flights and ships connecting the islands to mainland India, particularly from cities like Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Chennai. Once you arrive in Port Blair by air or sea, you can proceed with further transportation to reach the Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary.




Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary History

Establishment: Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary was officially notified on 16th February 1987. 




Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area

The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 10.49 square kilometers. This sanctuary is known for its diverse ecosystems, including open sea, coral reefs, and vegetated islands. The protected area is designated to conserve the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of this region.




Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora

The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a variety of flora, including both native and unique plant species. Here are some of the flora you might encounter in this sanctuary based on the general flora of the Andaman Islands:


Andaman Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides): This is a tropical hardwood tree native to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It's known for its beautiful red or reddish-brown wood.


Andaman Bullet Wood (Mimusops andamanensis): This tree is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is valued for its durable wood.


Pandanus Species (Pandanus Spp.): Pandanus trees are commonly found in tropical regions and are known for their distinctive aerial roots and prop roots.


Cycas Species (Cycas Spp.): Cycas are primitive, cone-bearing plants that resemble palm trees. They are also known as cycads and are found in various parts of the world.




Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)

The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of fauna, including various species of animals and birds. Here are some of the notable fauna that you might encounter in this sanctuary:


Mammals:

  • Andaman Water Monitor Lizard


Birds:

  • Andaman Crake
  • White-headed Starling
  • Serpent-Eagle
  • Andaman Drongo
  • Andaman Coucal


Reptiles:

  • Andaman Water Monitor Lizard 
  • Green Sea Turtle
  • Hawksbill Turtle




Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions

Q. In which state the Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located?

A. The Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is a union territory of India.

Defence Island Wildlife Sanctuary

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