Dear Pankaj!
Its nice to see that my reply on the aboriginals issue
has generated good amount of discussion. I somehow
lost your mail from my computer; however, I shall make
an attempt to reply you from memory.

Its certainly not correct to say that road is the only
mode of development especially in an Island territory
like Andamans. The waterways are the best mode of
communication in these Islands. But when the ATR was
forcibly constructed in the Tribal belt why couldn’t
anybody get a stay order or force the Administration
to stop it? What guarantee do we have that the Jarwas
will not come in contact with the local population.
Will they stop coming to Jirkatang, Baratang ,
Kadamtala or even Thiroor? Can we retrieve the Jarwa
youths fondness to Pan, Bidi/Cigerette, Alcohol and
tea? These are points to ponder. Why did the Tribal
welfare/ Medical Dept was permitted to construct the
Tribal Health Center at Kadamtala in the center of
the modern settlement ? I am not for encroaching on
the tribal forest. My point of view is only that the
solution will have to be found within the parameters
of Development and Conservation.

Without addressing the problems of a developed
community in the Northern Group of Islands for
connectivity one is not certainly justified to
recommend closure of ATR. Thanks - Cherry




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