Baratang Island Karst–Mud-Volcano Complex

• Location: Baratang Island, in the Andaman Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory). It lies between South Andaman and Middle Andaman, in the Bay of Bengal–Andaman Sea region.
• Why in the news: The Karst–mud-volcano Complex of Baratang was submitted to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites on 28 September 2026. This is a tentative-list submission, not a World Heritage inscription.
• Karst landscape: A landscape formed mainly by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone. It commonly contains caves, fissures, underground passages and distinctive rock formations.
• Limestone caves: Formed over long periods as water dissolves limestone. Mineral deposits can form stalactites (hang from cave ceilings) and stalagmites (rise from cave floors).
• Mud volcanoes: Unlike ordinary volcanoes, they do not erupt molten rock or magma. They release mud, water and gases, including methane, from beneath the ground. Baratang’s mud volcanoes are associated with tectonic structures and overpressured sediments.
• Geological significance: The complex reflects the tectonic setting created by the Indian Plate subducting beneath the Burma microplate. It is important for studying geological processes, cave formation and regional tectonics.
• Ecological importance: The karst landscape occurs amid tropical forests and supports specialised cave and forest biodiversity, including endemic species. The site is associated with the Baratang Reserve Forest and Jarawa Tribal Reserve.
• Geo-heritage: The Geological Survey of India identified Baratang’s mud volcano as a Geo-Heritage Site in 2025, according to the UNESCO submission.

UPSC Prelims practice MCQs

Q1. Consider the following statements about Baratang Island:

1. It is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

2. Its mud volcanoes erupt molten magma.

3. Its limestone caves exhibit karst features.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: B. 1 and 3 only.

Explanation: Baratang is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its caves are examples of karst terrain. Mud volcanoes release mud, water and gases, not molten magma.

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