On the southern fringe of South Andaman Island, about 25 kilometers from Port Blair, lies Chidiya Tapu—literally “Bird Island” in Hindi. Today it is celebrated for its sunsets, birdwatching, and the Munda Pahad coastal trail, but its appeal is deeply rooted in layers of ecological history, colonial-era mapping, post-independence conservation, and community-led tourism. This article traces that history and shows how it informs the contemporary travel experience.
Chidiya Tapu is a low-lying, forest-fringed headland bordered by mangroves and coral-rich shallows, facing the open waters south of Port Blair. The popular name gained currency with settlers and visitors for the area’s prolific birdlife. Locally, the southern trail that culminates in a clifftop panorama is known as Munda Pahad, and the coastal stretch is often signposted as the Sunset Point or Munda Pahad Beach.
Long before roads and viewing decks, the southern Andaman seaboard formed part of a mosaic of evergreen forests, mangroves, and reef flats used by Indigenous peoples of the Andamans. While specific ethnographic attributions to this exact headland are complex, the region’s ecological character—brackish creeks, rich intertidal life, and dense canopy—reflects landscapes that supported foraging, fishing, and seasonal movement. The enduring heritage here is ecological: a living repository of coastal-forest biodiversity that still frames the visitor experience.
From the late 18th century, British naval surveys and administrative settlement in the Andamans placed the broader Port Blair area on imperial maps. The penal colony era from 1858 onward pulled surrounding forests, including those to the south, into a logistical geography of outposts, timber tracks, and supply routes. Although Chidiya Tapu itself was not a major cantonment, it lay within Port Blair’s expanding sphere, and its forests were noted by naturalists and officers cataloging Andaman flora and fauna.
Post-independence, a motorable road linked Port Blair to the southern littoral, enabling picnicking and day excursions. By the late 20th century, the area’s reputation as a quiet, bird-filled promontory with a grandstand view of the sunset was established among residents and a trickle of visitors. Informal trails along the coast evolved into today’s marked path to the Munda Pahad viewpoint.
Much of the surrounding woodland is notified as Reserve Forest, placing it under the Andaman & Nicobar Forest Department’s protection. The creation of the Chidiya Tapu Biological Park in the early 21st century signaled a conservation-forward turn, focusing on the interpretation and safeguarding of endemic island species and habitats. For visitors, this added an educational layer to a largely scenic destination.
The tsunami reshaped shorelines across the archipelago, and Chidiya Tapu’s waterfront also witnessed coastal reworking. Uprooted or salt-killed trees left a skeletal silhouette that became an inadvertent icon for photographers. In the years since, safety advisories and access management have been strengthened in sensitive intertidal zones.
As awareness of saltwater crocodile presence across Andaman coasts increased in the 2000s, authorities emphasized signboards, designated swimming advisories, and the importance of staying within permitted zones. These measures, along with litter control and trail discipline, shape how tourism interacts with wildlife and mangroves at Chidiya Tapu.
Birdlife remains the destination’s most enduring draw. Forest edges, creeks, and tidal flats host a mix of island residents and seasonal visitors. Keen-eyed travelers can look for:
The morning chorus and the calm just before dusk are the best times to appreciate this avian tapestry—one reason the golden-hour reputation of Chidiya Tapu predates Instagram by decades.
As Port Blair emerged as a gateway for island tourism, Chidiya Tapu matured from a local picnic spot into a must-see. Incremental improvements—parking areas, basic amenities, and trail signage—were layered over a conservation-first framework. The result is a site that balances access with restraint: no large resorts on the headland, limited commercial activity, and continued emphasis on the natural spectacle.
This gently undulating coastal walk leads through shaded forest corridors to a bluff overlooking the Andaman Sea. The path illustrates how low-impact trails can open vistas without fragmenting habitat, a principle that has guided much of the site’s visitor planning.
Sunset silhouettes, wind-twisted trees, and reflective tidal pools shaped an early photographic canon around Chidiya Tapu. Over time, the community and forest managers introduced viewing areas and gentle nudges—like rope lines and signboards—to keep both shots and shorebirds safe.
Chidiya Tapu’s sustainability rests on visitor choices. Practical guidelines include:
A scenic drive of roughly 45–60 minutes from Port Blair passes through forested stretches and small settlements before reaching the coastal terminus at Chidiya Tapu. Local transport and hired vehicles are common options.
The drier months generally offer calmer seas and clearer skies. Monsoon periods bring lush foliage and dramatic cloudscapes but may reduce trail access or visibility; always check local advisories.
Chidiya Tapu’s seemingly simple promise—a ridge walk and a sunset—rests on decades of quiet stewardship and a far older ecological storyline. Colonial cartography opened access; post-independence roads invited picnickers; conservation initiatives preserved habitats; community participation shaped visitor culture. Each layer contributes to what travelers seek today: a sense of place where forest meets sea, and where restraint ensures the view endures.
Future tourism at Chidiya Tapu will likely deepen its low-impact, high-experience model: calibrated visitor numbers, improved interpretation of birdlife and mangroves, and continuous habitat restoration. For travelers, the best way to participate in this future is simple—tread lightly, linger longer, and let the landscape lead.
Chidiya Tapu’s history is not a backdrop but an active ingredient in the experience. Understanding it enriches every step along the Munda Pahad trail and every minute of the famous sunset, turning a beautiful viewpoint into a meaningful encounter with the Andamans.
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