The $3.75 \text{ Km}^2$ Enigma: 5 Shocking Facts About Bennett Island In Andaman And Nicobar
As of December 24, 2025, Bennett Island remains one of the most obscure and ecologically vital landmasses in the entire Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. This tiny, teardrop-shaped island, often overshadowed by popular destinations like Havelock and Neil Island, holds a secret status: it is an untouched, $3.75 \text{ km}^2$ ecological sanctuary. Its low profile is a direct result of strict conservation policies, positioning it not as a tourist hotspot, but as a critical stronghold for the region’s globally significant biodiversity.
Located deep within the North and Middle Andaman administrative district, Bennett Island is a pristine example of the archipelago's nearly 836 islands, most of which are uninhabited and heavily protected. The island’s remote position and lack of permanent settlement have allowed its tropical rainforests and surrounding coral reefs to flourish, offering a rare glimpse into the untouched natural history of the Bay of Bengal. Understanding Bennett Island requires looking beyond the tourist maps and into the heart of India's conservation efforts.
The Unveiled Profile of Bennett Island: A Geographical Biography
Bennett Island is not just a dot on the map; it is a precisely defined geographical entity with a specific role in the Andaman chain. Its official profile reveals a small, yet significant, piece of land that is central to the region's administrative and ecological framework.
- Geographical Coordinates: $12^\circ 53' N, 92^\circ 42' E$.
- Total Area: $3.75 \text{ km}^2$ (1.45 sq mi).
- Administrative District: North and Middle Andaman District.
- Geographical Context: Part of the Andaman Islands group, located in the Indian Ocean at the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal.
- Proximity: It lies relatively close to the larger islands of North Andaman and Middle Andaman, which are the main administrative centres of the district.
- Inhabitation Status: The island is widely understood to be uninhabited, falling into the category of the vast majority of Andaman islands that serve as protected wildlife reserves.
The island’s diminutive size of $3.75 \text{ km}^2$ is a key factor in its preservation. Unlike the major inhabited islands such as South Andaman, which includes the capital Port Blair, Bennett Island has largely escaped the pressures of human development. This is consistent with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory, which comprises 836 islands, yet only 31 are inhabited. Its location within the North and Middle Andaman district, which recently saw 16 of its uninhabited islands named by the Central Government, further highlights its status as a protected, unexplored domain.
A Sanctuary of Endemic Life: Bennett's Ecological Role
The true value of Bennett Island lies in its role as a pristine laboratory for endemic biodiversity. Islands in the North and Middle Andaman district are recognized globally as a biodiversity hotspot, home to species found nowhere else on Earth. The island’s undisturbed tropical rainforests and coastal ecosystems likely shelter a significant portion of this unique flora and fauna.
The Astonishing Entity Count
Bennett Island's surrounding region boasts an extraordinary level of endemism, a fact that underpins its conservation importance:
- Angiospermic Species: The islands are home to approximately 2500 species of flowering plants, with a staggering 223 of these being endemic to the archipelago.
- Mammals: There are 55 recorded species of mammals, of which 32 are endemic.
- Birds: The region hosts 244 bird species, with 96 being endemic, making it a critical area for ornithology.
- Reptiles: A total of 76 reptile species thrive here, and 24 of them are endemic.
Key Endemic Species Likely Found Near Bennett Island
Due to its undisturbed nature, Bennett Island provides an ideal habitat for several critically important and endemic animal species. These creatures are the primary reason for the island's restricted status:
- Andaman Shrew (*Crocidura andamanensis*): A critically endangered mammal, this small shrew is endemic to the Andaman Islands. Its presence on smaller, untouched islands like Bennett is vital for its survival.
- Andaman Spiny Shrew (*Crocidura hispida*): Another endemic shrew species, highlighting the unique evolutionary pathways on these isolated landmasses.
- Andaman Teal (*Anas albogularis*): This vulnerable duck species is endemic to the Andaman archipelago. Its wetland dependency means pristine coastal habitats, like those surrounding Bennett Island, are crucial for its continued existence.
- Andaman Drongo (*Dicrurus andamanensis*): Classified as Near Threatened, this bird is primarily found in the Andaman Islands and relies on the undisturbed forest canopy.
Furthermore, the surrounding Indian Ocean waters are a haven for marine life, including extensive coral reef systems and the occasional sighting of larger pelagic species, such as the Blue Whale.
Navigating the Restrictions: Tourism Status and Future
For an island like Bennett, its current status as a likely uninhabited, protected reserve dictates its role in the future of Andaman and Nicobar tourism. The government's overall strategy for the archipelago is shifting toward high-value, low-impact eco-tourism, a policy that directly affects islands like Bennett.
While the Andaman Administration's official tourism website promotes the general beauty of the islands, Bennett Island is notably absent from common tourist itineraries. This is a deliberate measure to protect its fragile ecosystem. The focus on developing eco-tourism resorts across the territory, as seen in recent news, is often concentrated on larger, already popular islands to divert pressure from the smaller, more sensitive landmasses.
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification and other environmental laws are stringently applied across the Andaman Islands to control development. For a small, ecologically rich island like Bennett, these regulations mean that large-scale tourism development is virtually impossible. Any potential future access would be highly restricted, likely limited to scientific research, conservation monitoring, or extremely controlled, permit-based eco-expeditions, similar to policies for other sensitive areas in the region.
Bennett Island, therefore, represents the future of responsible island management in the Indian Ocean. Its $3.75 \text{ km}^2$ area is not a space for mass tourism, but a living museum of endemic evolution. Its continued protection ensures the survival of species like the Andaman Shrew and the Andaman Teal, safeguarding the genetic heritage of the entire archipelago.
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