From Eng: barren, ‘infertile, unproductive’.
The island was named by British surveyors for its lack of vegetation and permanent settlement. It loes nearly 140km NE of Port Nlaor (now Sri Vihaya
Today it is known as the site of India’s only active volcano. It has erupted ten times since 1787. Since then, the volcano has erupted more than ten times. It last erupted in 1995.
Despite the barren landscape it is home to a population of wild goats left by British sailors over a hundred years ago; pigeons and flying foxes; and rats. They survive on the two freshwater springs and patches of vegetation.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Andaman & Nicobar Islands place names
