Beaches vested with government: Andaman administration

With the huge tourist interest that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands attract and growing number of hotels all vying for a bite into that pie, the administration is faced with a unique problem. Many hotels are putting up signboards claming exclusive access to the beaches which actually belong to the government.

This has led to the Environment and Forest Department to release a statement on Tuesday stating that all the beach in the islands falling between the high tide and the low tide line vests with the government of India.

"The ownership of all the beach in the islands falling between the high tide and the low tide line vests with the government of India and putting up of sign boards by private hotels claiming exclusive access to the beaches is strictly prohibited," Environment and Forest department sources said.

It also said that appropriate action would be taken if hotels put up sign boards claiming ownership of the beaches and for unauthorised occupation of the beaches.