ANET - ANDAMAN NICOBAR ENVIRONMENT TEAM

Sri Vijaya Puram and the surrounding Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to some of India's most extraordinary ecosystems, and the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET) is the organization that has been at the forefront of understanding and protecting them for decades. Located in the quiet coastal village of Wandoor, ANET operates as a hub for ecological research, conservation science, and environmental education, blending deep local knowledge with rigorous scientific inquiry. The campus itself sits on the edge of lush tropical forest and mangrove creeks, just a short distance from the stunning Wandoor Beach, making it an ideal base for explorers, students, and scientists who are drawn to the rich biodiversity of the islands.

Visitors quickly discover that ANET is far more than a typical research station. It is a collaborative community where environmentalists, academic researchers, and curious travelers come together to share knowledge and work toward a common goal. The team has built an impressive reputation grounded in decades of fieldwork, from pioneering surveys of sea turtles and monitoring coral reef health to mapping the unique flora of these remote archipelagos. With a near-perfect rating from guests on Google Maps, the organization is consistently praised for its serene jungle setting, excellent library, and the warm, knowledgeable people who bring it to life.

Research, Conservation & Monitoring Programs

The core mission of the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team revolves around long-term ecological monitoring and applied conservation science. The organization has played an instrumental role in documenting the life cycles of endangered sea turtles that nest on the islands' beaches, tracking leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtle populations through dedicated night patrols and tagging programs. In parallel, the team conducts ongoing assessments of mangrove forests, which are critical nurseries for fish and natural buffers against coastal erosion, studying their regeneration patterns and the impacts of climate change on these delicate intertidal systems.

Marine biology initiatives are equally central to the work here. Researchers affiliated with ANET have been surveying the coral reefs surrounding the Andaman archipelago, generating vital data on bleaching events, reef fish diversity, and the recovery of ecosystems after natural disturbances. The integration of field expertise with modern scientific methods produces results that inform both government policy and community-led conservation strategies, ensuring that the islands' incredible underwater worlds are safeguarded for future generations.

Field Station & Campus Facilities

The Wandoor campus is designed to support immersive, field-based learning without sacrificing essential comforts. The station provides basic but well-maintained accommodation for visiting researchers, student groups, and eco-conscious travelers who want to be close to nature. Living quarters are simple and elegant in their practicality, reflecting a design philosophy that values sustainability and a low environmental footprint. Solar power supplements energy needs, rainwater harvesting is practiced, and waste management systems are aligned with the team's ecological principles.

One of the most celebrated features of the facility is its extraordinary library. Stocked with an extensive collection of scientific journals, field guides, regional natural history publications, and decades of research reports specific to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the library is a vital resource that attracts scholars from around the world. Beyond the library, communal spaces are arranged to encourage discussion and knowledge exchange. Covered verandas, open-air meeting areas, and shaded garden spots serve as informal classrooms where ideas flow freely between visiting researchers and permanent staff.

Educational Outreach & Training Workshops

ANET has long recognized that conservation cannot succeed in isolation; it requires an informed and engaged public. The team organizes a wide range of educational programs tailored to local schools, community groups, and visiting university cohorts. These workshops cover field techniques such as biodiversity sampling, species identification, and ecological survey methodologies, giving participants hands-on experience that builds scientific literacy and environmental stewardship. The immersive nature of these sessions, conducted right in the mangroves and intertidal zones, leaves a lasting impression that often inspires participants to pursue careers in environmental science.

Beyond formal training, the organization actively mentors early-career researchers through internship and dissertation support. Visiting students are guided by seasoned field biologists who share invaluable practical knowledge that cannot be acquired from textbooks alone. This commitment to capacity building has created a network of conservation professionals across India and beyond who can trace their formative field training back to the forests and shores of Wandoor.

Why Researchers & Guests Choose This Destination

Guests consistently highlight the rare combination of tranquility, intellectual stimulation, and raw natural beauty that defines ANET. The location on the edge of dense jungle and mangrove habitat means that the sounds of nature — from the rustle of endemic birds to the distant splash of marine life — are a constant backdrop, creating an atmosphere that is deeply calming yet endlessly fascinating. Feedback from previous visitors emphasizes the excellence of the simple meals served on site, the genuine hospitality of the team, and the opportunity to interact with scholars who are passionate about their fields.

• Unmatched field access: The campus location allows researchers to move seamlessly from library to mangrove boardwalk to coral reef survey within minutes, maximizing the efficiency and impact of short-term projects.
• Genuine local immersion: The proximity to Wandoor village means that visitors experience authentic island culture alongside their scientific work, fostering mutual respect and shared learning between researchers and the local community.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Biologists, ecologists, marine scientists, and social researchers all work alongside one another, generating holistic insights that span multiple dimensions of conservation and sustainable development.

Staying Connected: Hours, Location & Logistics

The ANET campus operates with regular daytime hours from 08:00 to 17:00, with staff available to coordinate research activities, educational sessions, and visitor arrangements during this window. The site is situated at JJ89+4MG, Wandoor, in Sri Vijaya Puram district, easily accessible by road from the main city area. The journey itself offers glimpses of the Andaman countryside, passing through small villages and pockets of dense vegetation that set the tone for a stay focused on nature. Because the station is a working research facility rather than a typical tourist resort, prior arrangement is essential for anyone intending to visit or stay overnight.

Guests are advised to coordinate directly via the phone line at +91 3192 206 783 or through the official website at anetindia.org to discuss availability, purpose of visit, and any logistical requirements. The organization's administrative team can provide guidance on transportation options from Sri Vijaya Puram, recommended packing lists for field conditions, and protocols to ensure that all activities are conducted with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Community Impact & Long-Term Vision

ANET's influence extends well beyond the boundaries of its research station. The organization collaborates closely with local governing bodies, forest department officials, and international conservation agencies to advocate for evidence-based environmental policies. Its data and reports have been used to shape marine protected area designations, species recovery plans, and sustainable tourism guidelines throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By maintaining a permanent presence in Wandoor, the team serves as a bridge between scientific communities and the people who depend directly on the land and sea for their livelihoods.

The long-term vision is rooted in resilience — ecological resilience for the archipelago's fragile island systems and institutional resilience through the cultivation of the next generation of environmental leaders. Every internship placement, every school group that visits for a nature camp, and every policy recommendation that is adopted represents a step toward this vision. For anyone seeking to contribute to hands-on conservation, to deepen their understanding of tropical island ecology, or simply to experience a corner of the Andamans that few outsiders ever see, ANET offers a path that is both personally enriching and globally significant.