Why to visit Mount Harriet National Park
It is 20 kilometres from Port Blair, the main city of the state. Several of the highest summits in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands may be found in the park. The area's overall elevation ranges from sea level to 459 metres. The landscape contains steep, precipitous cliffs as well as mild, rolling slopes. It is known for its lush evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, which are breathtaking in their natural beauty. The national park encompasses a large portion of the hill ranges in the eastern region of the Andaman Islands.
Let's look at the history of Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet was named after Robert Christopher Tytler's wife, Harriet. From 1862 to 1864, Tytler, a British soldier, served as the presiding Superintendent of the Convict Settlement in the Port Blair district. He was well-versed in the natural world and had a keen interest in photography. In 1979, Mount Harriet National Park was established. During the British era, it served as the headquarters for the British Chief Commissioner.
The Flora and Fauna of Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet National Park is home to a diverse range of species and flora, making it a popular tourist destination for nature enthusiasts. It is home to 90 bird species, 11 of which are endemic. There are 27 reptile and amphibian species reported here, including 12 endemic species. King Cobra, Andaman Cobra, two nesting marine turtles-green seas, and Olive Ridley are among the noteworthy reptiles documented from the park. The park is home to roughly 12 different animal species, including the endemic Andaman Pig, bats, and shrews. It also has 120 species of moths, many of which are new.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mount Harriet Marine National Park supports all major forest types, including Evergreen Forests, Andaman Moist Deciduous Forests, Andaman Semi-evergreen Forests, and Littoral Forests. There are 393 plant species in the park, including 74 endemics and 51 imported species. Ceropygie andamanica and Drypetes Ellis are two new plant species that have just been discovered in this area.