# Neil Island > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Neil_Island > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Neil_Island.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Island > Source revision: 1356922216 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Island in the Andaman Islands of India Shaheed Dweep Neil Island Shaheed Dweep within Ritchie's Archipelago Shaheed Dweep Show map of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Shaheed Dweep Show map of India Geography Location Bay of Bengal Coordinates 11°50′N 93°02′E / 11.83°N 93.04°E / 11.83; 93.04 Archipelago Andaman Islands Adjacent to Indian Ocean Area 13.7 km2 (5.3 sq mi)[1] Length 3.7 km (2.3 mi) Width 6.3 km (3.91 mi) Coastline 19.4 km (12.05 mi) Highest elevation 101 m (331 ft)[2] Highest point Nipple Hill Administration India District South Andaman Island group Andaman Islands Island sub-group Ritchie's Archipelago Tehsil Port Blair Tehsil Largest settlement Neil Kendra (pop. 1000) Demographics Population 3040 (in 2011) Pop. density 222.00/km2 (574.98/sq mi) Ethnic groups Tamil, Andamanese Additional information Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) PIN 744104[3] Telephone code 031927[4] ISO code IN-AN-00[5] Official website www.and.nic.in Literacy 84.4% Avg. summer temperature 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) Avg. winter temperature 23.0 °C (73.4 °F) Sex ratio 1.2♂/♀ Census code 35.639.0004 Official languages Hindi, English **Neil Island**, officially known as **Shaheed Dweep** (transl. Martyr's Island), is an island of the [Andaman Islands](/source/Andaman_Islands), located in [Ritchie's Archipelago](/source/Ritchie's_Archipelago). It belongs to the [South Andaman](/source/South_Andaman_district) administrative [district](/source/Districts_of_India), part of the [Indian](/source/India) [union territory](/source/Union_territory) of [Andaman and Nicobar Islands](/source/Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands).[6] The island is located 36 km (22 mi) northeast from [Port Blair](/source/Port_Blair). ## Etymology Neil Island was named after British [Brigadier general](/source/Brigadier_general) [James Neill](/source/James_George_Smith_Neill), who had fought on the side of the British East Indian company in the [Sepoy Mutiny](/source/Sepoy_Mutiny) of 1857. In December 2018, it was renamed as Shaheed Dweep as a tribute to [Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose](/source/Netaji_Subhas_Chandra_Bose). Bose had hoisted the Indian flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943 and proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as territories liberated from British rule. He had subsequently named Andaman Island as Shaheed and Nicobar Island as Swaraj.[7] ## History Shaheed Dweep, then Neil Island, was uninhabited until the arrival of settlers in the late 1960s. Like Swaraj Dweep, then Havelock, the vast majority of settlers at Shaheed Dweep were [refugees](/source/List_of_massacres_in_Bangladesh) from erstwhile [East Pakistan](/source/East_Pakistan), following the [genocide](/source/Bangladesh_genocide) and exodus of Hindu Bangladeshis prior to that country's war of independence in 1971. ## Geography The island belongs to the [Ritchie's Archipelago](/source/Ritchie's_Archipelago) and is located between [Swaraj Dweep](/source/Swaraj_Dweep) and [Rose Island](/source/Rose_Island_(Andaman)). It is a comparatively flat island, and much of the landmass was deemed suitable for paddy cultivation. Unfortunately, as a result of this, very little forest cover remains at Shaheed, and almost all of it is concentrated in the reserve forest on Shaheed's north-western side. Shaheed Dweep tends to remain a degree or two warmer than Havelock as a result of the lack of forest cover.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Administration Politically, Shaheed Dweep is part of Neil Kendra [panchayat](/source/Panchayati_raj), of [Port Blair](/source/Port_Blair) [Taluk](/source/Tehsils_of_India).[8] ## Demographics The population of 3040 lives in five villages, listed below, with population at 2011 census in parentheses:[9] - Sitapur (274) - Bharatpur (629) - Neil Kendra (1000) - Lakshmanpur (382) - Ram Nagar (755) ## Economy Agriculture is the primary occupation of the villagers, and the island supplies vegetables to the rest of [Andaman](/source/Andaman_Islands). Neil Island is known for its organic cultivation and provides much of the organic produce to remaining part of the islands. ## Tourism Tourism on Shaheed Dweep is characterized by a relaxed, slower-paced eco-centric atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the bustling commercial crowds of neighboring Swaraj Dweep. Its primary natural attractions include the serene, sunset-facing Laxmanpur Beach, the shallow, swimming-friendly waters of **Bharatpur Beach**, and a unique, naturally formed limestone rock archway commonly referred to as the **Natural Bridge**. The island is highly popular for low-tide reef walking, where tourists can observe live coral ecosystems, sea cucumbers, and vibrant marine biodiversity without deep-sea diving. ## Transport - Air - [Pawan Hans](/source/Pawan_Hans) helicopter service: Port Blair to Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island): Flight duration is about 15–20 minutes, with a subsidized tourist fare of approximately ₹3,500 one-way.Port Blair to Long Island: Flight duration is roughly 30 minutes, with a tourist fare of approximately ₹2,850 one-way - Seaport: There is a jetty at Neil Kendra, which serves as the only access point of the island. There are regular Government ferry from Port Blair to Shaheed Dweep. Maritime transport to the island is serviced via daily passenger ferries from Sri Vijaya Puram and Swaraj Dweep, with all arrivals and cargo logistics handled exclusively at the centrally located Neil Island Jetty. There are private cruise ships such as Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika and ITT Majestic. - [Water aerodrome](/source/Water_aerodrome) terminal: India has 4 water aerodrome terminals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the civilian seaplane services under the government’s regional connectivity scheme ([UDAN](/source/UDAN)), at (listed north to south) [Long Island](/source/Long_Island_(Andaman_Islands)), [Swaraj Dweep](/source/Swaraj_Dweep) (formerly Havelock Island), Shaheed Dweep (formerly Neil Island), and [Hutbay](/source/Hutbay) (Little Andaman). - Local transport: Due to its exceptionally flat terrain and compact geographic footprint, local commuting is highly conducive to sustainable transit, relying heavily on rented mopeds, bicycles, and hired auto-rickshaws navigating the island's narrow, interconnected village roads. ## Image gallery - Natural Bridge, Neil Island. - Mangrove trees - Tropical beach - Bharatpur beach as seen from jetty - Interior forest - Forest by the sea at night - Entry to Neil Island from Bharatpur Jetty. - Bharathpur Jetty - Ritchie's Archipelago within the Andaman Islands - Neil Island on 26 December 2004, after earthquake and tsunami ## See also - [Tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands](/source/Tourism_in_the_Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands) - [Tourism in India](/source/Tourism_in_India) ## References Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Neil Island](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Neil_Island#Q6988773)***. - [India portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:India) - [Islands portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Islands) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-cit_1-0)** ["Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170828015509/http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf) (PDF). Government of Andaman. Archived from [the original](http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf) (PDF) on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-nga_2-0)** [*Sailing Directions (Enroute),*Pub. 173:*India and the Bay of Bengal*](https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16694491/SFH00000/Pub173bk.pdf&type=view) (PDF). *[Sailing Directions](/source/Sailing_Directions)*. [United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency](/source/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency). 2017. p. 284. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["A&N Islands - Pincodes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140323224041/http://www.india-codes.com/pincodes/a-n-islands-pin-code). 22 September 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2016.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-allcodesindia_4-0)** ["STD Codes of Andaman and Nicobar"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191017043815/http://allcodesindia.in/stdcode/andaman%2Band%2Bnicobar.php). allcodesindia.in. Archived from [the original](http://allcodesindia.in/stdcode/andaman+and+nicobar.php) on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code 1. **[^](#cite_ref-census_6-0)** ["Village Code Directory: Andaman & Nicobar Islands"](http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-VillageDirectory/Directory/short_code_rural_35.pdf) (PDF). Census of India. Retrieved 16 January 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2018RenameHT_7-0)** Ananya Bhardwaj (25 December 2018). ["Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit"](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-andaman-islands-to-get-new-names/story-NC3sWdg8oHAP6sLyXDBEeI.html). *Hindustan Times*. Retrieved 31 December 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-and_8-0)** ["DEMOGRAPHIC – A&N ISLANDS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170828015509/http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf) (PDF). andssw1.and.nic.in. Archived from [the original](http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf) (PDF) on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Census of India: Sub-District Details"](http://www.censusindia.gov.in/PopulationFinder/Sub_Districts_Master.aspx?state_code=35&district_code=01). ## External links Media related to [Neil Island](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Neil_Island) at Wikimedia Commons - [Neill Island brochure at Andaman Tourism](https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/Brochures/Neil_Brochure.pdf) v t e South Andaman district Cities and towns Bombooflat Garacharma Port Blair Prothrapur Tehsils and villages Ferrargunj Alipur Aniket Badmash Pahar Balughat Beach Dera (EFA) Between Middle Strait (JPPC) & Jirkatang (JA) Bindraban Caddlegunj (incl. Sona Pahar & Hazari Bagh (JPPC) Chouldari Coffee Plot Colinpur Craikabad Dhanikhari Dundas Point Ferrargunj Flat Bay Govindapuram Guptapara Hashmatabad (EFA) Hashmatabad Herbertabad Hobdipur Homfreygunj Hope Town Jhinga Nallaha (JPPC & APWDC) Jirkatang No.2 (EFA) Kadakachang Kalatang Knapuram Malapuram Manglutan (EFA) Manglutan Manjeri & Line Dera (FC) Mannarghat Manpur Mathura Maymyo (EFA) Maymyo Middle Strait (JPPC) Mile Tilek (ARF) Mile Tilek (JPPC) Mile Tilek & Mile Tilek (EFA) Mithakhari Mohwa Dera Muslim Basti Namunaghar Nayashahar (EFA) Nayashahar North Bay Ograbraij Pongi Balu (FC) & Bada Balu (EFA) Port Mouat Shoal Bay Shore Point Stewartgunj Temple Myo Tirur (JA) Tirur Tushnabad Wandoor Wimberlygunj Wright Myo Little Andaman Butler Bay Forest Camp 4-I (FDCA) Butler Bay Forest Camp 4-II (FDCA) Butler Bay Forest Camp 4-III (FDCA) Butler Bay Forest Camp 4-IV (FDCA) Dugong Creek (OS) Forest Camp at 14 km. 5-II (FDCA) Forest Camp at 14 km. 5-III (FDCA) Forest Camp at 19 km. (FDCA) Harmender Bay (NS) Hut Bay Little Andaman M/s Asia & Company (Asia Timber Product) Netaji Nagar Rabindra Nagar Ramakrishnapur Red Oil Palm (Nursery Camp) Vivekanandapuram Port Blair Bada Khari (FC) Bamboo Nallaha(EFA) incl. Kichad Nallaha(EFA) Beadnabad Bejoy Nagar Bharatpur Bimilitan & Kodiyaghat Brichgunj Brookshabad part Calicut Chidiyatapu Chidiyatapu (WLS) Dollygunj Govinda Nagar Krishna Nagar Lakshmanpur, South Andaman Minnie Bay part Munda Pahar (EFA) Neil Kendra North Sentinel Island Prothrapur R.M.Point (FC) Radha Nagar Ram Nagar Rangachang Rutland School Line part Shyam Nagar Sippighat Sitapur Teylorabad --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Neil Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Island) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Island?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.