Baratang Island

Baratang Island is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the North and Middle Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[5] The island lies 150 km (93 miles) north of Port Blair. Ranchiwalas Island is another name for Baratang Island. Towards the close of the nineteenth century, the city of Ranchi experienced political upheaval. Many locals sought refuge by converting to Christianity with the help of the missionaries there. The British, realizing the future prospects of the forests of Andaman and Nicobar islands, sent the converts to Baratang Island to cultivate crops. The laborers from Ranchi settled there and made new lives for themselves. A lighthouse was commissioned in 1985 at the eastern entrance to the Andaman strait. The island belongs to the Great Andaman Chain, and with an area of 242.6 square kilometres (93.7 sq mi) it is one of the main islands of the group, a closely set archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, adjoining the Andaman Sea. Middle Andaman is to its north, and South Andaman to the south. Beaches, mangrove creeks, limestone caves, and mud volcanoes are some of the physical features. The islands of Ritchie's Archipelago lie 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) to the east. Port Blair, the capital of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is located approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the southern tip of Baratang. Baratang contains the only known examples of mud volcanoes in India. These mud volcanoes have erupted sporadically, with recent eruptions in 2005 believed to have been associated with the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The previous major eruption recorded was on 18 February 2003. The locals call this mud volcano jalki. There are other volcanoes in the area, the Barren Island volcano which is the only active volcano in South Asia, and the Narcondum volcano which is considered to be a potentially active volcano. Politically, Baratang Island is part of Rangat Taluk. There are a twelve villages on Baratang, most noted are Adazig, Sunderghar, Nayaghar and Nilambur(HQ). According to the 2011 census of India, the Island has 5691 inhabitants. The effective literacy rate (i.e. the literacy rate of population excluding children aged 6 and below) is 100%. Baratang has very few private accommodations. Panchayat, Forest and PWD guest houses are also available. Visitors should book well in advance for a confirmed reservation.Its a budding destination, Most tourist visit on a same day trip to this Island due to lack of proper accommodation. The major attractions are the limestone caves, the Mud volcano, Parrot Island, and Baludera Beach. The Jarawas, also allure many tourists each year. While driving through the dense forests on the Andaman Trunk Road, it is possible to encounter a Jarawa. Until 1998 the Jarawas managed to keep their distance from the outside world for thousands of years. But a highway running through their homeland which draws several hundred tourists each year. Location of Baratang Ferry at Middle Strait jetty, Baratang Baratang Island Middle Strait jetty Baratang Island Middle Strait jetty Mud Volcano of Baratang Island Mud Volcano of Baratang Island