Galathea National Park UPSC

  • Galathea National Park is a national park located in the Nicobar Islands of Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
  • It is named after the Danish expedition ship “Galathea,” which visited the area in the 19th century.
  • In 1992, it was established as a national park.
  • In 1989, Great Nicobar Island Biosphere Reserve was declared by the Government of India.
  • Galathea National Park forms part of Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, which also includes the larger Campbell Bay National Park.
  • In 2013, the Great Nicobar Island Biosphere Reserve was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
  • Area: The national park covers an area of approximately 110 square kilometers (42 square miles).
  • Hills: The park terrain consists of undulating hills, with the highest peak being Mount Thullier, also known as Mount Galathea, which stands at an elevation of around 642 meters (2,106 feet) above sea level.
  • River: These rivers originate from Mount Thullier and flow through the park:
    • Galathea River
    • Jubilee River
    • Amrit Kaur River
    • Dak Aniang River
    • Dak Tayal River
  • Tribe: This park is home to the indigenous Shompen community.
  • Flora: Rainforest Trees (Dipterocarpus spp., Hopea spp., Shorea spp., and Garcinia spp.), Epiphytes, Mangroves (Rhizophora spp., Avicennia spp., and Sonneratia spp.), Coastal Vegetation (Casuarina tree, Pandanus spp., and Ipomoea pes-caprae) etc.
  • Fauna: Crab-eating Macaques, Nicobar Tree Shrews, Palm Civets, Wild Boar, Giant Fruit Bat, Nicobar Megapode, Nicobar Pigeon, Nicobar Scrub-fowl, Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Water Monitor Lizard, Reticulated Python, Saltwater Crocodiles, Giant Leatherback Turtles, Malayan Box Turtles etc.
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