Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Marine national park in South Andaman, India
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a marine national park of 281.5 km2 near Wandoor, about 20 km southwest of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. It takes in 17 islands plus the sea channels between them, grouped as the Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands. Tarmugli, the largest island, has thick mangrove vegetation, sand-covered beaches, uprooted trees and sheet rocks; most reefs are fringing reefs.
The park was created on 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, covering 281.5 km2 of sea, channels and 17 islands in the Labyrinth and Twin groups. It was placed under the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands forest department, with the open creeks running through the area noted as a special attraction.
The park is named after Mahatma Gandhi, and its 1983 designation placed the Labyrinth and Twin island groups under the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Andaman and Nicobar forest department. The islands are uninhabited, so the only people a visitor meets there are boat operators and day-trippers from Wandoor and Port Blair. Jolly Buoy and Red Skin are the two islands with ecotourism operations.
Boats take guests to accessible islands where swimming and snorkeling in clear water are possible. Weather conditions change during monsoon season, so checking which areas remain open before visiting helps.
Twin Islands serve as nesting grounds for sea turtles, which biologists monitor regularly. Tarmugli, the largest island in the reserve, is covered with dense mangrove forest visible when approaching by boat.
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