Fisheries:
The A&N Islands have a long coast line of 1912 Kms. having rich potentials for fisheries development. It has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 6 lakh Sqn.Km which is 30% of the total Exclusive Economic Zone of India. In the waters of A&N Island over 1100 species of fish are identified of which about 30 species are commercially exploited at present. The estimated annual exploitable stock is about 1.6 lakhs tons against which the present level of exploitation is only about 26,000 tons. The territory is still virgin for exploitation of fish species to serve international markets. A&N Administration lays special emphasis for promotion of fish culture, fish processing and other allied industries like fish pickling, canning, fish meal, fish oil etc. domestic and international markets. The Admn. propose to establish a cold chain by setting up of a number of cold storages, Ice plants and Fish Processing Plants in different Islands like Neil, Havelock, Rangat and Diglipur. A 100% EOU Fish Processing unit has been commissioned in Port Blair.
Tourism:
The A&N Islands are coming up as a major tourist attraction. Tourism development has been identified as a thrust area since it generates large employment. The Administration has taken up several projects and measures for development of tourist infrastructure to attract tourists. To promote this sector and to attract investment in this sector, the Administration recognises tourism and its related activities as an industry and would extend all facilities and incentives generally made available by the Administration to industries.
Cane and Bamboo:
Out of the total exploitable cane of around 33,00,000 running meter (RM) annually, about 12,50,000 RMT is available annually for meeting the requirement of Small Scale Cane Industries
and for general consumption. A complete ban has been imposed on the export of raw cane to ensure availability of cane for industrial use. The potential areas for setting up cane based industrial units are Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay and Katchal. A total quantity of 10,00,000 bamboos is annualy available in A&N forests, which are located in South Andaman, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Katchal and Kamorta. This is sufficient for setting up of about 50 additional Bamboo based handicraft units. The Industrial Estate at Bakultala (Middle Andaman) is being developed as a cane and bamboo cluster by the Directorate of Industries, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Coir and Coconuts:
Major production and cultivation of Coconuts in the island is concentrated in South Andaman, Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar and Katchal island. It is estimated that 280 million nuts are
available annually for industrial exploitation. These nuts can be used for development of a number of industries based upon coconuts such as:
- Production of Copra
- Coconut oil manufacturing
- Production of dessicated Coconut which is widely used in the preparation of sweets, confectionery, curry preparation, scented
- Production of Coconut shell powder which can be used for making thermostat moulding powders such as phenol formaldehyde, and synthetic resin glues.
- Production of Handicrafts items, toys and bowls from coconut shell.
- Production of Activated carbon.
It is estimated that 56000 M.T. of coconut husk is available annually for exploitation for industrial use in these Islands but only a negligible quantity i.e. 120 M.T of coconut husk is being utilised presently for making coir products and the rest is wasted or used as domestic fuel. There are a few small coir rope manufacturing units in Rangachang & Burmanallah area and one curled coir unit at Hati Tapu, South Andaman. There is good potential for setting up of coir based industries for producing mattresses, door mats, sofa sets, coir carpets, cushions, rubberised coir etc. in South Andaman, Carnicobar, Katchal, Nancowrie
and Campbell Bay.
Rubber:
A&N Islands have about 1000 Hec. of rubber plantation. The Forest & Plantation Development Corporation Ltd., produces about 450-500 M.T. of rubber in its plantation at Katchal annualy but we do not have any rubber based industry. Presently rubber sheets are made and transported to mainland and hence value added products could be manufactured. Therefore there is some scope for setting up of small number of industries producing value added latex rubber products such as rubber gloves, rubber thread, seat cushion, mattresses etc. in Katchal and South Andaman.
Boat Building/Repairing:
The potential for boat building industry based on wood at present appears to be limited. But there exists good scope for fabrication of boats based upon raw materials other than wood and for repairing and servicing of boats including wooden boats. Ship breaking industry cannot be promoted in the Islands in the absence beaching facilities and adequate tidal fluctuations.
Agro Based Industries & Food Processing Industries:
The total area under agriculture is around 45,500 hectareas, (1993-94 census) the principal crops grown are paddy, coconut & arecanut. Paddy is the main food crop cultivated in Andaman group of islands, whereas cocnut and arecanut are the major cash crops of Nicobar groups of Islands. Other crops such as sugarcane, red oil palm, fruit & vegetable are also being cultivated in small quantity. Coffee, spices like Clove, Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Pepper are also grown in South Andaman & North Andaman, and Great Nicobar. These could be profitably utilised for the development of agrobased & food processing industries. Besides, small vegetable & fruits processing industries based on banana, mango, pineapple and papaya etc. can be set up in the Neil, Havelock, Hut Bay & Diglipur.
Automobile Body Building:
In order to cater to the requirements of Automobile dealers/operators/users, a number of Engg. based industries have been set up for Body Building/Repairing, Plating, Painting and Electrical works. Four Small Scale Units have already been established under this sector and a few more are in the offing. However, since the demand for Trucks, Buses and other Automobiles have increased manifold, there is further scope for establishing new units for body building/fabrication, repairing, painting, plating/tinkering etc.
Packaging Industry:
With more and more industries coming up in these islands, there is increasing demand for ancillary industries like packaging polythene packets and corrugated cartoons. The raw materials
for this industry has to be procured from mainland for which transport subsidy is available.
Units Covered Under KV1 programme:
There are various village industries programmes under the purview of KVIC out of which the schemes which are identified in priority sector include papad making, popcorn making, bakery, gur making, mat weaving, photo framing, manufacturing of bricks, and manufacturing of hollow blocks and lime shell. From 1996-97 onwards financial assistance under KVI sector woulc be made available for individual beneficiaries under Consortium Bank Credit.
Electronic Industry:
A& N Islands offer ideal dust free climatic condition for development of electronic industry. The requirement of this industry in terms of limited requirement of space, high value added product, employment to locally available electrical and electronics graduates/diploma holders makes this industry most suitable to the island territory. So far there has been no Central Government investment in this territory and efforts will be made to promote production cum assembly units in electronic sector exclusively for exports in the joint sector.
There exists ample opportunities for employing women in this sector.
Service Oriented Unit:
With the increase in the population and with the improvement in telephone network there exists good scope for promotion of industries like Xeroxing, Fax, S.T.D./I.S.D. etc.
in these Islands.
Infrastructural Development Projects:
Private participation would be welcomed for augmentation of power (including generation of power through non-conventional sources of energy) and water supply (including water desalination plants), improvement and development of transportation and port infrastructure, including shipping, hovercraft services, ports, roads & bridges etc.)
