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Andaman & Nicobar opens 50 sites in 15 islands to enhance tourism

Andaman & Nicobar opens 50 sites in 15 islands to enhance tourism the Andaman and Nicobar administration has decided to open 50 sites in 15 islands to set up environmentally sensitive hotels and beach resorts under the Union territory's 2006 tourism plan.

The islands open to bidders are: Neil, Havelock, Little Andaman, North Passage, Peel, Aves Island, Rutland, Baratang, Cinque, Interview, Long Island, Middle Andaman, North Andaman, Smith and Ross Island and South Andaman.

"In the first phase, tenders will be invited for five islands. Depending on the response, the other islands will be opened to bidders by 2008,' says Dharam Pal, tourism commissioner and secretary, ministry of tourism, Andamans . "We have already sought clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests and the coastal zone management,' says Pal. The government is also keen on implementing green globe standards