Galathea National Park

The Galathea National Park is located in the Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This park is extended to a total of 110 square kilometres. It was designated as an Indian National Park in 1992. The Galathea National Park is situated in the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, which also includes a portion of the Campbell Bay National Park. The latter is separated from Galathea by a 12-kilometre forest buffer zone. The Galathea National Park is located in the southern section of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and is made up of lowland forests with the highest concentration of indigenous avifauna. 

The geographical location of the park

This park is located on the Great Nicobar Island, the largest island in the Nicobar Islands, which is located in the southernmost part of the Andaman archipelago. This park, which covers 110 square kilometres, is recognised for its rich foliage and unusual species.

The climate of Galathea National Park

Galathea National Park has an extreme tropical climate along with high levels of humidity. During the summer, the temperature remains very high but during the monsoon, it drastically drops, providing relief to the ecosystem. During the monsoons, the Galathea National Park receives heavy rainfalls, which cause inconvenience to the local people as well as the tourists. 

The yearly rainfall is between 300 and 380 centimetres. Great Nicobar Island does not have a winter season. As a result, the temperature remains hot and humid throughout the year. Occasionally, the area is affected by severe storms. 

Despite this extremely warm weather, a large number of tourists have been flocking to the Galathea National Park in the last few years as it has turned into a popular picnic destination. As the island is gifted with natural splendour, it has become a tourist attraction.

Flora and fauna

Galathea National Park is natural heaven with each species standing out more than the others. The national park’s thick, colourful and serene foliage lends it an unusual appeal. This National Park is home to a diverse range of animals, including the following species that are unique to this area:

• Animals: Crab-eating macaques, giant leatherback turtles, Nicobar tree shrews, saltwater crocodiles, monitor lizards, palm civets, Malayan box turtles and pythons. Due to the illegal poaching, many species have become endangered in the Galathea National Park.

• Birds: Megapode, green imperial pigeon, Nicobar pigeon, Nicobar scrub-fowl, edible nest swiftlet, fruit bat, etc.

• Plants: Dendrocalamus, Calophyllum Inophyllum, Guettarda Speciosa, Albizia Lebbeck, Mesua Ferrea and  Pterocarpus Indicus. The majority of the vegetation has moist broadleaf species of flora.

Recent developments

The Indian prime minister had announced in 2020 that a “Maritime and Startup hotspot” will be developed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Under the plan, a 166 square kilometre township complex, an international container trans-shipment facility, a greenfield international airport and a power plant will be developed. The total cost of the project is estimated at around Rs 75,000 crore. 

It is estimated that the proposed project can disturb the ecosystem of the Galathea National Park, as one of the major ports will be developed at Galathea Bay. Galathea Bay is a well-known breeding place for the mysterious giant leatherback, the world’s largest marine turtle, as evidenced by surveys. Also, it includes the critically endangered Great Nicobar crake, the Nicobar frog, the Nicobar shrew, the Nicobar cat snake, and a new lizard.

Conclusion

Galathea National Park is one of the most important national parks in southern India which is located in the vast stretches of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. It is made up of lowland forests with the highest concentration of indigenous avifauna. It is the Nicobar Megapode’s primary breeding site, and it is also home to other endemic species. The original tribe of this region is the Shompens, one of the world’s oldest tribes. The park is undoubtedly a nature lover’s dream, with a dense blanket of tropical woods and rich, multicoloured vegetation giving it a remarkable beauty that cannot be overlooked particularly by tourists.