Maine Protected Areas & Marine Tourism:An Overview of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India

The present tourism scenario concerning recreational diving activities in Andamans has generated an increased demand for the development of diving tourism in the Andaman seas. The present report draws upon experiences regarding the promotion of sub-aquatic activities found in Andamans, analyses the steps required for cementing diving tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Marine Protected Areas, and describes what an adequate management plan should ideally encompass, in order to ensure the conservation of the marine environment and subsequently the long term viability of this highly profitable form of ecotourism.