Nicobar Islands, despite being a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and popular honeymoon destination, has 22 islands of which only 10 are inhabited - yet remains restricted to tourists.
Originally called Handuman during the Ramayana period, the islands were renamed by Ptolemy as Agadaemon Angademan before finally becoming Andaman and Nicobar.
The indigenous Sentinel tribe of North Sentinel Island lives in complete isolation from the modern world, with limited immunity to outside diseases.
The islands host 46 unique mammal species including the Andaman Wild Pig and Masked Palm Civet, along with 240 different bird species.
The geographical isolation - being 1,400 km from mainland India and 1,000 km from Thailand - creates significant logistical and infrastructure challenges.
The devastating 2004 tsunami caused widespread destruction to these islands, highlighting their vulnerability to natural disasters.
The waters around the islands are home to over 1,200 fish species, 1,000 mollusc species, and diverse marine life including sea turtles and dolphins.
Following the 1999 Kargil conflict, the islands gained strategic military importance, with a tri-service command base established in Port Blair.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956 helps preserve the ancient cultures of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes.
The islands' location near the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest trade routes, makes them crucial for monitoring shipping lanes and maritime interests.