Dear all
I can share the concerns of Mr. Samir Acharya regarding the islands. Though
I have visited the islands only once, I dread to think of the unplanned
tourism and other 'development projects'. We should also have a gathering in
Delhi for journalists, lawyers etc and highlight the contempt of court
directives. An Andolan for saving the islands is needed. It should be to
highlight the development model for the islands and to oppose treating the
islands as 'any other place'.
If we can agree, as a starting point, from this e-group, interested persons
who can devote time for this may be identified. As time is running out
for the islands, we should think of ways of intervention that can at first
delay some of the planned projects.
Prabhakar


>From: "Pankaj" <pankaj@...>
>Reply-To: andamanicobar@...
>To: <andamanicobar@...>
>Subject: [andamanicobar] from Samir Acharya
>Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 18:13:43 +0530
>
>From Samir Acharya...
> > Dear all,
> > I fully agree with the suggestions of Simron and Vishvajit that the time
>is
> > right for this group to take the initiative in organising a seminar at
>Port
> > Blair. Perhaps this will prompt the Administrstion to live upto the
> > expectations of the Calcutta High Court.
> > While the local legwork can be taken care of by SANE, it will be nice if
>a
> > few Members volunteer to form an organising commitee.Perhaps Pankaj will
> > agree to coordinate the effort.
> > All the best.
> > Samir
> >
> > Pankaj wrote:
> > >
> > >Andaman beckons with music and adventure
> > >
> > >>From the Hindu Business Line
> > >
> > >Bangalore , Dec. 28
> > >
> > >THE Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a premier eco-tourism destination, is
>all
> > >set to unfold its mystic charm with a fortnight-long festival from
>January
> > >4. The annual Island Tourism Festival (ITF) will unleash for visitors a
> > >bonanza of music and adventure to be staged at five different venues in
>Port
> > >Blair.
> > >
> > >Leading artistes from the classical art and film world, including
>Playback
> > >singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Bharatanatyam artiste Usha
>Venkiteswaran,
> > >are billed to give performances. Demonstration of martial arts such as
> > >Kalaripayattu by C.V.N. Kalari, sports competitions and fashion shows
>are
> > >some of the other attractionsplanned by the authorities.
> > >
> > >The event is organised by the Directorate of Information, Publicity and
> > >Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, with the support of the
> > >Directorate of Culture, ANIIDCO and other departments in the A&N
> > >Administration.
> > >
> > >The Andaman and Nicobar islands is a world-class eco-tourist
>destination.
> > >Its natural beauty and long coastal expanse are key attractions for the
> > >tourists. But with 92 per cent of the islands covered by forest and 86
>per
> > >cent being notified forest, most of the tourist spots are inside the
>forest
> > >area; as such, constraints to develop tourism infrastructure in the
>islands
> > >remain.
> > >
> > >However, the administration has chosen the ecologically sustainable way
>of
> > >development. "We understand that it is the natural beauty and
>ecological
> > >wealth that attracts people to this island. Our policy is convergence
>of
> > >environment and forest with tourism and promotion of high-value
>low-volume
> > >tourist inflow," said an official.
> > >
> > >The much-awaited extension of the runway is in the final stages and is
> > >expected to be completed by late this year. Airlines are planning to
>bring
> > >in wide-bodied long-haul aircrafts, which will facilitate more
>high-class
> > >tourists. This will open up a new phase in the growth of tourism in the
> > >islands.
> > >
> > >The administration has started leasing out land at various parts of the
> > >islands to develop resorts. Many investors have shown keen interest in
> > >resorts and water sports centres in Andamans, the Directorate said.
> > >
> > >In order to strengthen the role of the administration as a facilitator
>than
> > >a stakeholder in the market, the Directorate of Tourism has started
>leasing
> > >out management of its units. Guest houses, restaurants, scuba diving
>centres
> > >and water sports complexes have already been leased out.
> > >
> > >The administration has also proposed to lease out to private
>managements
> > >some of the resorts at present run by the Directorate of Tourism. It
>has
> > >already identified Turtle Resort, Kalipur (near Diglipur in North
>Andamans),
> > >Swiftlet Nest, Mayabunder, and Hawsbill Nest, Rangat, Middle Andamans,
>for
> > >the purpose.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >C/o Kalpavriksh
> > >Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
> > >908 Deccan Gymkhana,
> > >Pune 411004
> > >Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
> > >Fax: 25654239
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > >andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

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