Shoal Bay (South Andaman), Nov. 9: The emerald corridors of Shoal Bay came alive today as residents, tourists, and nature lovers stepped into the island’s thriving mangrove world during a special Mangrove Walk organized by the Department of Tourism, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Environment & Forests and the Gram Panchayat, Shoal Bay.
The event, part of the Tourism Department’s calendar for nature-based tourism promotion, saw enthusiastic participation from villagers, tour operators, naturalists, and environmentalists. A dedicated bus service arranged with support from the Transport Department ferried participants to the site, offering them a rare and refreshing excursion through Shoal Bay’s dense mangrove trails.
A.R. Kumar, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, Shoal Bay, joined the walk and expressed delight over the initiative, lauding it as a meaningful step toward promoting eco-tourism in the area.
Officials from the Forest Department — L. Moses, Forest Ranger, and D. Sekhar, Forester from Range Office Mannarghat — guided participants through the mangrove expanse, explaining the ecosystem’s biodiversity, ecological value, and the urgent need for conservation amid growing environmental threats.
More than just an educational outing, the Mangrove Walk also served as an inspiring platform to encourage locals, especially youth, to take up eco-guiding as a sustainable livelihood option. Traversing the lush mangrove network — the very lungs of the island — participants gained not only a deeper appreciation of nature but also a vision for responsible tourism that preserves and prospers.
