Jardine accords unequivocal support to protect isles ecosystem
THE DAILY TELEGRAMS, March 7, 2007
Port Blair, Mar 6
The US Consul General, Mr Henry V Jardine, currently on visit here, minced
no word to speak unequivocally in support of protecting the otherwise
unpolluted environment of this archipelago and to strike an ecological
balance while effecting the process of development. A balanced environment
is what precisely is an imperative need, he told mediapersons here today.
Answering a query, Mr Jardine said, the key issues like water,
unemployment etc are required to be addressed on priority to cater to the
needs of the growing population here. The importance of having private
sector enterprises in view of the need for increased number of job
opportunities cannot be lost sight of. He also informed the scribes about
his visit to various places including tsunami shelters at Chouldari as also
his discussions on various development related issues with the Member of
Parliament, Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh and senior officers of the
Administration.
Yesterday, the US Consul General also addressed the Andaman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry here and gave an overview of the Indo-US Trade
relationship. He said, the Consulate views the issue of trade in the context
of a range of broader social issues. "For us to enhance the environment for
trade, we must seek to promote social development in a number of areas such
as child development, trafficking of people, health and municipal finance".
Mr Jardine also inaugurated a wildlife film festival at van Sadan here
yesterday in which he observed "of all the issues that we focus on,
combating wildlife trafficking is very significant. As you might know,
wildlife trafficking - the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife parts - is
a soaring black market estimated to be around $ 10 billion a year, second
only to arms and rug smuggling.