Sri Vijaya Puram, June 17: A seminar on the development of water sports activities and tourism around the famous Ross and Smith Islands was held at Subhashgram Panchayat Hall, Diglipur, in North Andaman on June 16. The programme was organized to explore the potential of water-based tourism in the region and was attended by representatives of local bodies, tourism stakeholders and residents.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Block Development Officer (BDO), Diglipur, Mr. M. Rajendra Kumar, who attended as the chief guest. Among the prominent participants were Zilla Parishad Member Mr. Pradeep Das and Gram Panchayat Ramnagar Pradhan Mr. Mithun Das.
During the seminar, Mr. Pratap Chakroborthy of Blue Sea Cooperative Society Pvt. Ltd. presented a detailed report highlighting the tourism and water sports potential of Ross and Smith Islands. He identified several suitable locations for introducing water sports activities and informed participants that a survey report proposing such activities had already been submitted to the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T) on September 24, 2025.
Following detailed discussions, the participants unanimously resolved to establish an association dedicated to promoting water sports and tourism development in North Andaman. The newly formed body has been named the North Andaman Water Sports Association.
Mr. Pratap Chakroborthy was elected President of the Association, while Mr. Mithun Das and Miss R. Valli were chosen as Vice Presidents. Mr. Uttam Roy was elected General Secretary, Mrs. Sulata Baroi and Mr. Gopal Mallick as Treasurers, and Mr. Susen Halder, Mr. Deepandu Biswas and Mr. Pradeep Das as Secretaries. Mr. Sunity Halder, Mr. Bipash Biswas and Mr. Prashit Chakroborty were elected Joint Secretaries. The executive committee includes Mr. Bidyut Roy, Mr. Abhijit Roy, Mr. Rakesh Das, Mr. Biswajit Das, Mr. Rohit Roy, Mr. Sudey Mondal, Mr. Sajal Ch. Das, Mrs. Mallika Devi and Mr. Uttam Mondal.
Participants expressed confidence that the formation of the Association would provide a structured platform for promoting sustainable tourism, generating livelihood opportunities and enhancing the tourism profile of North Andaman, particularly around the picturesque Ross and Smith Islands. The organisers appealed for public support and cooperation to take forward the initiative aimed at boosting tourism and economic development in the region.
