Rijiju dives at Swaraj Dweep, flags Andamans tourism potential
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju dived at Temple Garden, Swaraj Dweep on 21 June 2026, praising the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' protected coral reefs and calling the archipelago's nature-based adventure tourism potential 'largely untapped' and 'truly world-class.'
Key Takeaways
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju completed a deep-sea scuba dive at Temple Garden , Swaraj Dweep , Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 21 June 2026 .
Rijiju credited government 'strict regulations and laws' for the well-protected marine life he encountered at the site.
Swaraj Dweep was formerly called Havelock Island and was renamed in 2018 as part of a broader Indianisation of Andaman place names.
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park , established in 1983 , anchors the legal framework protecting coral reefs and marine biodiversity near the island.
The minister described the islands as possessing 'immense and largely untapped potential' for nature-based and adventure tourism.
No specific new policy announcement was made, but the high-profile endorsement is expected to amplify tourism and conservation policy discussions around the islands.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju went deep-sea scuba diving at Temple Garden, Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday, 21 June 2026, sharing his experience on X and calling the archipelago's marine heritage 'truly world-class.'
Context
Rijiju described the dive as 'an unforgettable experience,' noting that the 'crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and rich marine biodiversity offered a glimpse into the remarkable natural heritage' of the islands. He credited the government's 'strict regulations and laws' for protecting the marine life he encountered at the dive site.
Temple Garden is one of the most frequented dive sites off Swaraj Dweep — formerly known as Havelock Island before it was renamed in 2018 as part of a broader exercise to give Andaman island names an Indian identity. The minister's visit draws fresh public attention to an island chain that sits at the intersection of ecology and strategic geography in the Bay of Bengal.
Policy backdrop
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, established in 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act to conserve coral reefs and associated marine life near Wandoor. Coastal Regulation Zone rules and Marine Protected Area notifications layer additional safeguards on top of the national park framework, restricting activities that could damage reef ecosystems.
Successive central governments have pursued sustainable, nature-based tourism in the islands while maintaining these environmental safeguards — a dual mandate that seeks to generate economic returns from tourism without compromising biodiversity obligations under national law and international commitments. Rijiju's post aligns squarely with that established policy line, emphasising both the 'strict regulations' in place and the 'largely untapped potential' that remains.
Stakeholders and impact
Adventure tourism operators, local island communities, and marine conservation authorities all have a stake in how the islands' tourism potential is eventually unlocked. A senior cabinet minister publicly endorsing the dive experience at Swaraj Dweep can stimulate demand among domestic and international travellers, putting pressure on regulators to balance visitor numbers against reef health.
Local communities that depend on fishing and tourism-linked livelihoods stand to benefit from increased footfall, provided that growth remains within the carrying capacity defined by conservation authorities. Marine biologists and environmental groups, meanwhile, will watch closely to ensure that promotional momentum does not outpace enforcement of existing rules.
What's next
Rijiju's remarks about 'immense and largely untapped potential' for 'nature-based and adventure tourism' are likely to feed into ongoing policy conversations around island development. Possible near-term developments include updated eco-tourism guidelines for the Andamans, infrastructure proposals in the next Union Budget, or parliamentary questions on marine conservation enforcement.
The minister stopped short of announcing any specific policy measure, but his high-profile endorsement of the island's underwater heritage sets a visible marker for the tourism and environment ministries to respond to — particularly as India sharpens its pitch for experiential and nature tourism to global visitors.
Point of View
' he pre-empts criticism that political attention to tourism undermines conservation, threading a line the government has consistently tried to walk in the Andamans. The timing, on the cusp of a likely Budget cycle, raises the possibility that island tourism infrastructure could soon receive fresh policy or fiscal attention. For now, the post functions as a visible stake in the ground, inviting both tourism investors and environmental watchdogs to engage more actively with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' development trajectory.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Temple Garden dive site in the Andaman Islands?
Temple Garden is a popular scuba diving site located off Swaraj Dweep (formerly Havelock Island) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , known for its coral formations and diverse marine life.
Why was Havelock Island renamed Swaraj Dweep?
Havelock Island was renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018 by the central government as part of a broader exercise to replace colonial-era place names in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with names that honour Indian identity and national leaders.
What laws protect marine life in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Marine life in the Andamans is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, Coastal Regulation Zone rules, and Marine Protected Area notifications. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park , established in 1983 , is the primary protected area for coral reefs near Swaraj Dweep.
What is the tourism potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
The islands are considered to have significant, largely untapped potential for nature-based and adventure tourism, including scuba diving, snorkelling, and eco-tourism, owing to their pristine coral reefs, clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity.
What did Kiren Rijiju say about the Andaman Islands?
Minister Kiren Rijiju said the islands offer 'experiences that are truly world-class' and possess 'immense and largely untapped potential for nature-based and adventure tourism,' while also crediting the government's strict regulations for protecting the marine ecosystem he witnessed during his dive.
