The
Mount Harriet National Park is one of the closest wilderness areas to Port Blair. The Park contains some of the highest peaks in the Andaman Group of
Islands and is covered with dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of outstanding natural beauty.
This National Park is named after Col. RC Tytler’s wife Harriet, who, sometime in 1862, was primarily responsible for clearance of the area for the summer house of the Chief Commissioner.
The entire National Park forms a major chunk of the hill ranges in the eastern part of South Andaman Island and lies between 11o 42’5” and 11o51’45” N latitudes and 92o43’41” and 92o48’13”E longitudes. The general elevation of the tract varies from sea level to 459 meters. Most of the area of this National Park lies on the eastern slopes. The topography varies from steep precipitous slopes to gentle slopes with undulating terrain. Some of the principal peaks are
Mt. Koyob (459m),
Mt. Hext (425m),
Mt. Harriet (422m), Mt Goodridge (375m), and
Mt. Carpenter (346m). The Parkw as carved out of a
Reserved Forest in November 1996. The present area of the park is 46.62 sq. km and there is proposal to increase the area by 25.55 sq km by including
Mount Hariet Peak and other nearby areas.
Flora and Vegetation
The park supports all major forest types found in the Andamans namely Evergreen Forests (with five sub-types:
Giant Evergreen Forests,
Andaman Tropical Evertreen Forests, South Hilltop Tropical Evergreen, Cane Bakes and Bamboo Brakes),
Andaman Semi-Evergreen Forests,
Andaman Moist Deciduous Forests and
Littoral Forests.
Some 393 plant species have been reported from the Park which include 74 endemic and 51 introduced species. Two new species of plants have recently been described from here, viz. Cereopygie andamanica and Drypetes ellis. An ephiphytic orchid – Thrixspermum merguense is a new record for Andamans from the Park.
Fauna
This National Park is equally rich in faunal wealth. There are:
- 27 species of reptiles and the amphibians reported from the park, including 12 endemic species. A new species of frog namely – Rana charlesdrawini has been described from the Park. King Cobra, Andaman Cobra and two nesting marine turtles – Green Sea and Olive Ridley – are among the prominent reptiles reported from here.
- 12 species of mammals reported from the park including endemic Andaman pig, Shrew and Bats.
- 90 species of birds of which 11 are endemic. The Park is recognized as one of the Important Bird Areas under Important Bird Areas Programme of the Birdlife International.
Eco-Tourism Opportunities Available in the Park
- Trekking
- Bird-watching
- Photography
- Glipse of History
- Nature Viewiing
Accessibility:
The park is accessible from Port Blair via Bambooflat. From Bambooflat Jetty the park entrance is about 6 Kms. Bambooflat can be reached from Port Blair by ferry service or by road journey. The ferry services from
Chatham and
Phoenix Bay jetties take about 15 and 20 minutes respectively. The road link is via Sippighat and Chouldhari, and it takes about an hour to cover approximately 40 kms distance.
Facilities:
The Park has
Watch Towers, Children’s Park,
Deer Park, Guest House and Tourist Sheds close to
Mount Harriet peak. An Orchidarium and Butterfly House are being developed here for providing more enjoyment and learing to the tourists. A well maintained nature trail connects Kala Pathar View Point with the Guest House Complex. There is also a nature trail from Hope Town to the Park which is about 4 Km long. For the adventurists there are trek routes from Mannarghat to
Madhuban Beach (about 10 kms long), and also from
Madhuban Beach to the Guest House (about 15 kms).
Madhuban Beach, once an elephant training camp of the forest department, is now a beautiful tourist spot which can be accessed by boat from Port Blair or Bambooflats, and by trekking from Mannarghat.
Fees:
Adult: Rs.25 per person per day
Children: Rs.10 per person per day
Foreigners: Rs.250 per person per day
Camera: Rs.25
Vehicles: Rs.10 per day
For more details, please contact:
The Chief Wildlife Warden
A & N Islands, Port Blair
The Deputy Conservator of Forests
A & N Islands, Port Blair, Haddo – 744102
For accommodation in Forest Rest House, please contact:
The Conservator of Forests (Southern Circle)
Andaman and Nicorbar Isalands, Port Blair,
Haddo – 744102 (Phone: 03192 – 230152; Fax: 03192 – 236003)
