The press relaease is a serious plea for help in the
matters outlined therin. For many years the dept of
forests were trying to make inroads into the already
'reserved' forests, that are otherwise categorised as
a tribal protected area, in the name of conservation
of coastal forest and other regions in the interior.
It even had an outpost on Tillanchong island along
with a police guard post- both of these suffered the
ills of malaria and boredom without adequate
infrastructure toward effective protection.Wild boar
formed a easy source of protien for these camps. they
seem to forget that the nicobarese have traditional
rights that have been in vogue for long with certain
families/villages (eg from Trinket/pilpillo/kakana in
the central group with regard to tillanchong, and
Kondul and Pulomilo for islets further north such as
Treis Trak and Meroe)regarded as custodians of the
plantations and forest. Even though the nicobarese do
not hunt and gather, it is pertinent to build on the
strengths of traditional mores and effect conservation
goals with the islanders rather than isolate them from
the process by posting people from the Andamans to
look after forests in the Nicobars- which have
remained relatively intact all these years due to
their form of management.
              more serious offences have been in the
form of the navy usurping and claiming legal
entitlement in the aftermath of the tsunami- a slight
that can never be righted if a high handed attitude
continues- past records(im not sure if they exist now-
rashid will be able to throw some light) will show the
kind of obeisence that naval forces and other
dignitaries in the past have paid to those families in
power, catering toward an atmosphere of stewardship in
co-managing the islands with the indigenous groups. it
is increasingly being seen that post tsunami,
administrative officers, NGO's and dignitaries are
using the aftermath to carry out agendas of
transforming centres of indigenous administration
toward the inappropriate models of corruption and
bureaucracy conducive to their growth rather than the
intended beneficiaries that plagues the rest of the
country. the nicobars can do very well without such
interference and can teach more than a lesson or two
toward island ecology and management of disasters
within their forms of social organisation.

--- Madhu Sarin <msarin@...> wrote:

> I wonder if the recently passed forest rights act
> could support the Tribal Council of Nancowrie and
> the Nicobarese in their struggle. Could someone pass
> on a copy of the Act to them? Reservation of
> customary Nicobarese ancestral lands as state
> forests is in direct opposition to the Act's primary
> objective of recognising tribal rights. To begin
> with, a copy of the Act should be shown to the
> forest department and the islands' Administration.
> If that doesn't work, maybe a legal challenge could
> be considered? I think Pankaj has a copy of the Act
> - if not, I can send a verified soft copy (although
> I don't think it has yet been signed by the
> President but that should get done as a matter of
> course soon).
> Madhu
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Pankaj
>   To: andamanicobar@...
>   Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
>   Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd
> Anniversary of the Tsunami by the Tribal Council of
> Nancowrie
>
>
>   PRESS RELEASE
>   on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the
> Tsunami, 26th December 2006
>
>   by
>   Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar
> Islands
>   Email: tribalcouncil.nancowrie@...
>   Tel: 09434284444
>
>   Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long
> way to go for the
>   Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar
> archipelago in the Bay of
>   Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous
> losses directly caused by
>   the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of
> subsistence and way of
>   life and culture - the post-tsunami period has
> only brought added misery. In
>   part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden
> change in lifestyle. But
>   it is also due to fresh threats to our very
> existence due to certain moves
>   made by various agencies of the government and
> non-government organizations.
>   Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by
> the administration
>   (government) - for which we remain grateful - we
> continue to live in an
>   atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our
> future. For us, the
>   present situation is marked by the following:
>
>   Threat from the Forest Department: Through a
> recent proclamation of the
>   Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced
> that the entire land area of
>   our islands excluding the village area, is being
> constituted as Reserved
>   Forest under the ownership of the Forest
> Department. This means that the
>   Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as
> trespassers in their own forests
>   and punished for the same. This development is a
> deathblow for us. We have
>   lived on these islands for centuries together. All
> land has been divided
>   amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the
> demarcations made by them are
>   observed by us to this day. As a primarily
> hunting-gathering tribe we depend
>   upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach
> great cultural and
>   economic significance to them and it is impossible
> for us to live in
>   separation for them. We love our forests and care
> for them - their very
>   existence over the centuries is testimony to this
> fact. On the contrary, the
>   damage inflicted to our forests has begun only
> after the Forest Department
>   established its presence in our islands. It is
> therefore, not acceptable to
>   us in the least that our forests should be
> declared Reserve Forests.
>
>   Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For
> many years now, we have
>   time and again raised the matter of our lands
> being encroached upon by
>   non-tribals running variety of trade illegally,
> whose very presence in our
>   islands is illegal according to the Andaman &
> Nicobar (Protection of
>   Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the
> tsunami, this situation has
>   been compounded by some departments of the
> administration who are occupying
>   tribal land without permission for constructing
> their offices. Further
>   adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on
> Kamorta Island, is
>   objecting to the construction of permanent
> shelters in several villages
>   claiming these sites to be under its ownership.
> Work in these villages has
>   come to a standstill and the people continue to
> languish in temporary
>   shelters on the verge of collapse. It is
> impossible for the figure to be
>   208 acres since there are large villages outside
> this extent and these have
>   been in existence for at least a few hundred
> years. Unfortunately, all our
>   records have been washed away by the tsunami and
> we are unable to provide
>   documentary evidence from our end. However, our
> predicament is not being
>   understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people
> are under siege from all
>   sides and we do not know where to look.
>
>   Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the
> construction of permanent
>   shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties
> are arising for us and
>   causing further delay. Despite assurances from
> senior government officers as
>   well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our
> requirements will be
>   honoured, the building contractor and the Central
> Public Works Department
>   (CPWD), the government agency responsible for
> permanent housing, want to
>   construct the permanent shelters very close to
> each other to suit their own
>   convenience. This condition is too difficult for
> us to accept. The location
>   and layout of the village and of the houses are
> central to the Nicobarese
>   way of life. The space around our houses is
> essential for carrying out
>   traditional rituals and ceremonies; for
> maintaining livestock as well as
>   small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style
> is different from that of
>   mainlanders and we very much hope that the
> administration can appreciate and
>   respect this difference as it has been doing
> before.
>
>   Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island
> existence but are yet to be
>   distributed to all the deserving families. In
> their absence, these families
>   are unable to develop a source of livelihood.
> Further, 18 boats given by an
>   NGO which were in community use across the islands
> have all broken down
>   since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to
> be replaced with wooden
>   boats.
>
>   Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The
> Nicobarese are suffering
>   at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant
> Commissioner, Nancowrie,
>   senior-most administrative officer in these
> islands. He is authoritarian and
>   high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the
> participation of the
>   Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also
> highly insensitive to our
>   traditional ways of life. His continued presence
> in office is highly
>   detrimental to the ongoing process of
> rehabilitation.
>
>   Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the
> various aid agencies/NGOs
>   that came forward to help us soon after the
> tsunami. Yet we feel that their
>   overall impact has not been a positive one. First,
> some NGOs tend to operate
>   with a lack of transparency. For example, we came
> to know that an NGO called
>   Butterflies was carrying out activities in our
> island without the knowledge
>   of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek
> only token participation
>   of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend
> legitimacy to their own
>   agenda, which often do not address our real
> requirements. Third, many of the
>   training programmes being carried out are
> meaningless
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Dear Friends,

Greetings on New Year!

I would very specifically like to issue a statement on behalf of Butterflies to
the allegations made by the Tribal council, Nancowrie about our uninformed
presence.

First of all, we respect the rights of tribals living in A&N Islands which
includes Nancowrie and have never intended to do any harm to the people. As for
uniformed presence, that's not true.

Brief of Butterflies: Butterflies is a Child Protection organization head
quartered in Delhi and have been working post-tsunami in South Andaman, Little
Andaman, Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay in A&N Islands. In ANI, we have been
working with schools, PRI members, villagers, local administration and the
children running CDC (Children's Development Centres) where children of the
village come and study, play, participate in various cultural programmes,
theatre performences, learn about their rights & responsibilities, health &
hygiene etc. Our efforts are not to replace any system, but have been to help
and build on the capacities of children.

As for doing harm as our friend Vivek as mentioned, may I reiterate that
Butterflies very specifically is against doling out relief that would hamper
esteem of children or make an intervention teaching children things which are
necessarily not a part of their culture. In fact, we are present in seven
villages of Car Nicobar island, and are very much appreciated. Here we have
worked with children and families and worked towards enrolling dropout children
and creatively engaging them in writing for 'Andaman & Nicobar Children's
Times'- a children's newspaper written & edited by children of the islands.

Response to allegation on our uninformed presence: Butterflies since March 2006
is not present in Nancowrie group of islands.

In 2005 when we sent one of our Field Cordinators to do a need assessment, we
were welcomed by the Village Captains as well members of the council stating
that an organization for the development of children could only be welcoming.

We are in possession of 'approval letters' by Tribal Council members of Teressa
and Katchal inviting us to formally work in their specified villages. Copies of
the same may be extended. Our Coordinator had also met Mr. Rasheed of NYA who
had verbally given his consent to our presence and promised all help.

However, we were in the island with valid tribal passes for a month-&-half to
conduct a study on 'orphan & single parent children'. This was a joint
initiative of several children's organizations. During our limited presence, we
had only one non-tribal member present to coordinate the efforts while all other
volunteers were Nicobarese from the island. This was very specifically with the
objective that we would keep non-tribal presence in the island to a minimum.
Throughout all our operational areas, we have engaged youths from the islands in
the initiatives instead of bringing in mainlanders.

While we stand in solidarity with the Tribal Council, Nancowrie and respect
their sentiments, we would like to re-assure that we are not & shall not be
involved into any activity in the tribal lands without their due consent,
support and guidance.

In solidarity

Sharbendu De
Programme Manager
Butterflies

Tel: 03192-220034
Fax: 03192-237725
Mob: 9434283164

PS: In case of any further queries, please feel free to contact us at the
numbers given above
----- Original Message ----
From: V.Vivekanandan <vivek@...>
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 10:14:31 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

Dear friends,

This is an amazing statement coming from the tribal council very clearly listing
out the issues and taking clear stand on many issues. The issues like the forest
department take over of the forests and the location of permanent shelters are
very serious indeed. While good deeds by Govt and NGOs have been properly
acknowledged, the tribal council is also straight forward in denouncing what is
thinks are wrong and has not shied away from naming individuals (e.g.
S.C.Thyagi) and organisations (e.g. Butterflies) who are doing harm to their
cause. We need to express our solidarity with the tribal council on these issues
and see how we can take up the issues on the mainland.

Regards,

Vivek

V.Vivekanandan
Chief Executive
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
Karamana
Trivandrum 695 002

Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
Res: +91-471-2501018
Mobile: +91-9847084840

E-mail: vivek@siffs. org

----- Original Message -----
From: Pankaj
To: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by the
Tribal Council of Nancowrie

PRESS RELEASE
on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami, 26th December 2006

by
Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar Islands
Email: tribalcouncil. nancowrie@ gmail.com
Tel: 09434284444

Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long way to go for the
Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of
Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous losses directly caused by
the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of subsistence and way of
life and culture - the post-tsunami period has only brought added misery. In
part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden change in lifestyle. But
it is also due to fresh threats to our very existence due to certain moves
made by various agencies of the government and non-government organizations.
Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by the administration
(government) - for which we remain grateful - we continue to live in an
atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our future. For us, the
present situation is marked by the following:

Threat from the Forest Department: Through a recent proclamation of the
Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced that the entire land area of
our islands excluding the village area, is being constituted as Reserved
Forest under the ownership of the Forest Department. This means that the
Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as trespassers in their own forests
and punished for the same. This development is a deathblow for us. We have
lived on these islands for centuries together. All land has been divided
amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the demarcations made by them are
observed by us to this day. As a primarily hunting-gathering tribe we depend
upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach great cultural and
economic significance to them and it is impossible for us to live in
separation for them. We love our forests and care for them - their very
existence over the centuries is testimony to this fact. On the contrary, the
damage inflicted to our forests has begun only after the Forest Department
established its presence in our islands. It is therefore, not acceptable to
us in the least that our forests should be declared Reserve Forests.

Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For many years now, we have
time and again raised the matter of our lands being encroached upon by
non-tribals running variety of trade illegally, whose very presence in our
islands is illegal according to the Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of
Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the tsunami, this situation has
been compounded by some departments of the administration who are occupying
tribal land without permission for constructing their offices. Further
adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on Kamorta Island, is
objecting to the construction of permanent shelters in several villages
claiming these sites to be under its ownership. Work in these villages has
come to a standstill and the people continue to languish in temporary
shelters on the verge of collapse. It is impossible for the figure to be
208 acres since there are large villages outside this extent and these have
been in existence for at least a few hundred years. Unfortunately, all our
records have been washed away by the tsunami and we are unable to provide
documentary evidence from our end. However, our predicament is not being
understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people are under siege from all
sides and we do not know where to look.

Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the construction of permanent
shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties are arising for us and
causing further delay. Despite assurances from senior government officers as
well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our requirements will be
honoured, the building contractor and the Central Public Works Department
(CPWD), the government agency responsible for permanent housing, want to
construct the permanent shelters very close to each other to suit their own
convenience. This condition is too difficult for us to accept. The location
and layout of the village and of the houses are central to the Nicobarese
way of life. The space around our houses is essential for carrying out
traditional rituals and ceremonies; for maintaining livestock as well as
small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style is different from that of
mainlanders and we very much hope that the administration can appreciate and
respect this difference as it has been doing before.

Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island existence but are yet to be
distributed to all the deserving families. In their absence, these families
are unable to develop a source of livelihood. Further, 18 boats given by an
NGO which were in community use across the islands have all broken down
since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to be replaced with wooden
boats.

Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The Nicobarese are suffering
at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie,
senior-most administrative officer in these islands. He is authoritarian and
high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the participation of the
Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also highly insensitive to our
traditional ways of life. His continued presence in office is highly
detrimental to the ongoing process of rehabilitation.

Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the various aid agencies/NGOs
that came forward to help us soon after the tsunami. Yet we feel that their
overall impact has not been a positive one. First, some NGOs tend to operate
with a lack of transparency. For example, we came to know that an NGO called
Butterflies was carrying out activities in our island without the knowledge
of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek only token participation
of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend legitimacy to their own
agenda, which often do not address our real requirements. Third, many of the
training programmes being carried out are meaningless for us. They seem to
be theoretical and literature-based, and are beyond comprehension for the
average Nicobarese.

Death Certificates not issued in the name of Missing Persons: Death
certificates have not been issued in the name of the persons whose bodies
were not recovered after the tsunami. As a result, the local bank is unable
to transfer the money lying in their accounts to the next of kin. Since most
deaths in the tsunami fall in this category (of missing persons) great
hardship is being caused to the heirs of missing persons.

Waiver of old loans and disbursal of new ones: Despite an assurance from the
administration that the outstanding amount on loans taken pre-tsunami by the
Nicobarese would be waived, directions are yet to be received by the banks
concerned.

Meanwhile, candidates identified by the Department of Industries for award
of loans for self-employment activities are still waiting for their loan
amounts. There are now more people who have undergone training by NGOs or
the Administration. They require loans to make use of their recently
acquired skills to earn a livelihood.

THE WAY FORWARD

Our vision of development is one in which economic well-being is nurtured
along with our social and cultural integrity. Some of our ideas in this
direction are as follows:

Economic Development: The Nicobarese wish to promote economic development
through the cooperative structure. This will reduce exploitation of the
Nicobarese by outsiders and will ensure an equitable distribution of
resources and opportunities. For this purpose, funds (including grant-in-aid
towards infrastructure and working capital) are requested to be sanctioned
to a pre-existing primary cooperative society to strengthen its activities.

Social and cultural integrity: Despite legal restrictions, immigrant traders
have illegally established themselves in several parts of the Nicobar
Islands and engage in an unequal exchange with the Nicobarese leading to
their exploitation. Many Nicobarese are presently under their debt and
nearly all money received as compensation after tsunami has ended up in
their hands. These immigrant traders are not only an economic threat but
challenge the social and cultural integrity of the Nicobarese. The
Nicobarese request their removal from the islands.

Improvement of infrastructure and services: Educational and health services
need to be given a major boost. The quality of education is currently very
poor; apart from addressing this, elements of Nicobarese history, culture
and craft need to be made part of the educational curriculum. Health
services are extremely inadequate; the way to improve them is to establish
good communications and transport infrastructure, apart from upgrading
existing medical facilities and establishing medical facilities where they
are currently non-existent. Inter-island transport and communication is
currently a severe problem and is one of the biggest handicaps in the
development of our islands.

Motivating government staff: Due to the poor infrastructure and services in
the islands, most government staff are always in a hurry to get posted back
to Port Blair/Andaman District. Further, they look down upon us and
contribute very much to the average Nicobarese's lack of self-esteem.
Government servants need to be sensitized to our way of life and motivated
to serve in our islands.

Right to land and self-governance: All of the land (unless surrendered for
various purposes) traditionally belong to the Nicobarese families. Every
area, inhabited or uninhabited has an owner. We request that our right to
their land is respected and protected. Furthermore, we have their own system
of governance based on elections. Therefore, we desire very much that our
Tribal Councils be recognised as a legal entity and the islands be brought
under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen our traditional
rights and self-governance system.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Check out this aerial video of an Island in the Andamans. Click on the
link or copy paste in the address bar.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/350427/how_to_improve_your_eye_sight_by_wa
tching_this_aerial_video_of/

Dear Mr. Vivek,

We do observe that you have alleged Butterflies of doing 'harm to the cause' of
the tribal people in Nancowrie, in your public statement given in this forum.

What the tribal council had said is that they were unaware of Butterflies
presence in Nancowrie. We have already responded to that.

If you read very carefully, they have made no allegations on us about 'doing
harm'. It is very senstive of the tribal council who haven't gone into defaming
someone's reputation, but expressed concern and we very much respect that.

However, your allegation places matters on a very different and rather
uncomfortable note. May I request you to kindly substantiate your allegation
with appropriate evidences.

It would be interesting to hear of your credentials with respect to the
understanding of A&N Islands and it's tribal cultures.

With regards
Sharbendu De
Programme Manager
Butterflies


----- Original Message ----
From: V.Vivekanandan <vivek@...>
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 10:14:31 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

Dear friends,

This is an amazing statement coming from the tribal council very clearly listing
out the issues and taking clear stand on many issues. The issues like the forest
department take over of the forests and the location of permanent shelters are
very serious indeed. While good deeds by Govt and NGOs have been properly
acknowledged, the tribal council is also straight forward in denouncing what is
thinks are wrong and has not shied away from naming individuals (e.g.
S.C.Thyagi) and organisations (e.g. Butterflies) who are doing harm to their
cause. We need to express our solidarity with the tribal council on these issues
and see how we can take up the issues on the mainland.

Regards,

Vivek

V.Vivekanandan
Chief Executive
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
Karamana
Trivandrum 695 002

Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
Res: +91-471-2501018
Mobile: +91-9847084840

E-mail: vivek@siffs. org

----- Original Message -----
From: Pankaj
To: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by the
Tribal Council of Nancowrie

PRESS RELEASE
on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami, 26th December 2006

by
Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar Islands
Email: tribalcouncil. nancowrie@ gmail.com
Tel: 09434284444

Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long way to go for the
Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of
Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous losses directly caused by
the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of subsistence and way of
life and culture - the post-tsunami period has only brought added misery. In
part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden change in lifestyle. But
it is also due to fresh threats to our very existence due to certain moves
made by various agencies of the government and non-government organizations.
Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by the administration
(government) - for which we remain grateful - we continue to live in an
atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our future. For us, the
present situation is marked by the following:

Threat from the Forest Department: Through a recent proclamation of the
Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced that the entire land area of
our islands excluding the village area, is being constituted as Reserved
Forest under the ownership of the Forest Department. This means that the
Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as trespassers in their own forests
and punished for the same. This development is a deathblow for us. We have
lived on these islands for centuries together. All land has been divided
amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the demarcations made by them are
observed by us to this day. As a primarily hunting-gathering tribe we depend
upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach great cultural and
economic significance to them and it is impossible for us to live in
separation for them. We love our forests and care for them - their very
existence over the centuries is testimony to this fact. On the contrary, the
damage inflicted to our forests has begun only after the Forest Department
established its presence in our islands. It is therefore, not acceptable to
us in the least that our forests should be declared Reserve Forests.

Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For many years now, we have
time and again raised the matter of our lands being encroached upon by
non-tribals running variety of trade illegally, whose very presence in our
islands is illegal according to the Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of
Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the tsunami, this situation has
been compounded by some departments of the administration who are occupying
tribal land without permission for constructing their offices. Further
adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on Kamorta Island, is
objecting to the construction of permanent shelters in several villages
claiming these sites to be under its ownership. Work in these villages has
come to a standstill and the people continue to languish in temporary
shelters on the verge of collapse. It is impossible for the figure to be
208 acres since there are large villages outside this extent and these have
been in existence for at least a few hundred years. Unfortunately, all our
records have been washed away by the tsunami and we are unable to provide
documentary evidence from our end. However, our predicament is not being
understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people are under siege from all
sides and we do not know where to look.

Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the construction of permanent
shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties are arising for us and
causing further delay. Despite assurances from senior government officers as
well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our requirements will be
honoured, the building contractor and the Central Public Works Department
(CPWD), the government agency responsible for permanent housing, want to
construct the permanent shelters very close to each other to suit their own
convenience. This condition is too difficult for us to accept. The location
and layout of the village and of the houses are central to the Nicobarese
way of life. The space around our houses is essential for carrying out
traditional rituals and ceremonies; for maintaining livestock as well as
small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style is different from that of
mainlanders and we very much hope that the administration can appreciate and
respect this difference as it has been doing before.

Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island existence but are yet to be
distributed to all the deserving families. In their absence, these families
are unable to develop a source of livelihood. Further, 18 boats given by an
NGO which were in community use across the islands have all broken down
since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to be replaced with wooden
boats.

Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The Nicobarese are suffering
at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie,
senior-most administrative officer in these islands. He is authoritarian and
high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the participation of the
Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also highly insensitive to our
traditional ways of life. His continued presence in office is highly
detrimental to the ongoing process of rehabilitation.

Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the various aid agencies/NGOs
that came forward to help us soon after the tsunami. Yet we feel that their
overall impact has not been a positive one. First, some NGOs tend to operate
with a lack of transparency. For example, we came to know that an NGO called
Butterflies was carrying out activities in our island without the knowledge
of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek only token participation
of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend legitimacy to their own
agenda, which often do not address our real requirements. Third, many of the
training programmes being carried out are meaningless for us. They seem to
be theoretical and literature-based, and are beyond comprehension for the
average Nicobarese.

Death Certificates not issued in the name of Missing Persons: Death
certificates have not been issued in the name of the persons whose bodies
were not recovered after the tsunami. As a result, the local bank is unable
to transfer the money lying in their accounts to the next of kin. Since most
deaths in the tsunami fall in this category (of missing persons) great
hardship is being caused to the heirs of missing persons.

Waiver of old loans and disbursal of new ones: Despite an assurance from the
administration that the outstanding amount on loans taken pre-tsunami by the
Nicobarese would be waived, directions are yet to be received by the banks
concerned.

Meanwhile, candidates identified by the Department of Industries for award
of loans for self-employment activities are still waiting for their loan
amounts. There are now more people who have undergone training by NGOs or
the Administration. They require loans to make use of their recently
acquired skills to earn a livelihood.

THE WAY FORWARD

Our vision of development is one in which economic well-being is nurtured
along with our social and cultural integrity. Some of our ideas in this
direction are as follows:

Economic Development: The Nicobarese wish to promote economic development
through the cooperative structure. This will reduce exploitation of the
Nicobarese by outsiders and will ensure an equitable distribution of
resources and opportunities. For this purpose, funds (including grant-in-aid
towards infrastructure and working capital) are requested to be sanctioned
to a pre-existing primary cooperative society to strengthen its activities.

Social and cultural integrity: Despite legal restrictions, immigrant traders
have illegally established themselves in several parts of the Nicobar
Islands and engage in an unequal exchange with the Nicobarese leading to
their exploitation. Many Nicobarese are presently under their debt and
nearly all money received as compensation after tsunami has ended up in
their hands. These immigrant traders are not only an economic threat but
challenge the social and cultural integrity of the Nicobarese. The
Nicobarese request their removal from the islands.

Improvement of infrastructure and services: Educational and health services
need to be given a major boost. The quality of education is currently very
poor; apart from addressing this, elements of Nicobarese history, culture
and craft need to be made part of the educational curriculum. Health
services are extremely inadequate; the way to improve them is to establish
good communications and transport infrastructure, apart from upgrading
existing medical facilities and establishing medical facilities where they
are currently non-existent. Inter-island transport and communication is
currently a severe problem and is one of the biggest handicaps in the
development of our islands.

Motivating government staff: Due to the poor infrastructure and services in
the islands, most government staff are always in a hurry to get posted back
to Port Blair/Andaman District. Further, they look down upon us and
contribute very much to the average Nicobarese's lack of self-esteem.
Government servants need to be sensitized to our way of life and motivated
to serve in our islands.

Right to land and self-governance: All of the land (unless surrendered for
various purposes) traditionally belong to the Nicobarese families. Every
area, inhabited or uninhabited has an owner. We request that our right to
their land is respected and protected. Furthermore, we have their own system
of governance based on elections. Therefore, we desire very much that our
Tribal Councils be recognised as a legal entity and the islands be brought
under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen our traditional
rights and self-governance system.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

New LG lists out his priorities
Execution of tsunami related relief & rehab. projects to be accelerated
THE DAILY TELEGRAMS, Dec. 29, 2006
Port Blair, Dec 28
    Listing out his priorities at an interaction with the media-persons here
today, the new Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Bhopinder Singh said his first
and foremost task would be to ensure speedy and effective implementation of
tsunami related relief and rehabilitation projects in Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. He said, major thrust would also been laid on expediting and
initiating the critically needed developmental projects for the betterment
of these islands with focus on issues like civic amenities, infrastructure,
job opportunities, tourism etc. Realizing the diverse socio-economic
aspirations of the various sections of our population to collectively usher
into an era of progress & development would be yet another key priority, he
observed.
    Lt. Gen Bhopinder Singh said, since he was an ex-soldier, he always
believed in putting the interest of the country and its people before
anything else. In the same spirit, he looked forward to getting personal
involved in all the key issues, concerns and challenges on ground and then
working out the requisite strategies for speedy and effective resolutions.
    The Lt. Governor said, he was greatly impressed by the manner in which
the people of this island territory live in perfect harmony in the backdrop
of rich diversity, which, he said, makes it a role model for the whole
country. "It is in this 'Mini India', where people join hands in a unified,
peaceful and progressive manner for the overall betterment of their islands",
he observed.
    This was the first meeting Lt. Gen. Bhopinder Singh had with the media
persons after he assumed the office of the Lt. Governor. He minced no word
to make it clear to the scribes that he would ensure regular tete with the
press to ascertain from them their views on various aspects about the
governance as well as the developmental issues relating to these islands. He
also sought active support of the media and urged them to play a
constructive and effective role in highlighting any relevant issues in a
sensitive and progressive manner, which, he said, will ultimately lead to
the betterment of the people.

The voice of the Nicobarese needs to be respected. It is not a matter
of plea from their end. It cannot be treated as plea. They are bestowed
with the right of occupancy and use of  the land. They have every right
to say "no' to the intruders. Perception of the people is important as
their wisdom sits  thetre.It doesn't mean that the Government do no have
any role in  Nicobar context. But the role cannot be arbitarily decided
and executed in the name of development. For Dept of forests, forest
space in the Island is a topographic space of defintion.  They live with
notional rights. but notional right cannot be an alternative to the
customary right on the land. Let the Nicobarese decides  in what area
they require intervention.Any activity without their demand and
realisation from any quarters is tresspassing to their
physical/cultural/ social space. hence it is colonisation and that
cannot be appreciated. The knowledge on forest and the importance of its
conservation is much known to them than anybody who understands forest
as a topographical reality. So, one needs to be followed their
sensitivity instead of impossing sensibility in arbitary terms.




--- In andamanicobar@..., manish chandi <manishchandi@...>
wrote:
>
> The press relaease is a serious plea for help in the
> matters outlined therin. For many years the dept of
> forests were trying to make inroads into the already
> 'reserved' forests, that are otherwise categorised as
> a tribal protected area, in the name of conservation
> of coastal forest and other regions in the interior.
> It even had an outpost on Tillanchong island along
> with a police guard post- both of these suffered the
> ills of malaria and boredom without adequate
> infrastructure toward effective protection.Wild boar
> formed a easy source of protien for these camps. they
> seem to forget that the nicobarese have traditional
> rights that have been in vogue for long with certain
> families/villages (eg from Trinket/pilpillo/kakana in
> the central group with regard to tillanchong, and
> Kondul and Pulomilo for islets further north such as
> Treis Trak and Meroe)regarded as custodians of the
> plantations and forest. Even though the nicobarese do
> not hunt and gather, it is pertinent to build on the
> strengths of traditional mores and effect conservation
> goals with the islanders rather than isolate them from
> the process by posting people from the Andamans to
> look after forests in the Nicobars- which have
> remained relatively intact all these years due to
> their form of management.
> more serious offences have been in the
> form of the navy usurping and claiming legal
> entitlement in the aftermath of the tsunami- a slight
> that can never be righted if a high handed attitude
> continues- past records(im not sure if they exist now-
> rashid will be able to throw some light) will show the
> kind of obeisence that naval forces and other
> dignitaries in the past have paid to those families in
> power, catering toward an atmosphere of stewardship in
> co-managing the islands with the indigenous groups. it
> is increasingly being seen that post tsunami,
> administrative officers, NGO's and dignitaries are
> using the aftermath to carry out agendas of
> transforming centres of indigenous administration
> toward the inappropriate models of corruption and
> bureaucracy conducive to their growth rather than the
> intended beneficiaries that plagues the rest of the
> country. the nicobars can do very well without such
> interference and can teach more than a lesson or two
> toward island ecology and management of disasters
> within their forms of social organisation.
>
> --- Madhu Sarin msarin@... wrote:
>
> > I wonder if the recently passed forest rights act
> > could support the Tribal Council of Nancowrie and
> > the Nicobarese in their struggle. Could someone pass
> > on a copy of the Act to them? Reservation of
> > customary Nicobarese ancestral lands as state
> > forests is in direct opposition to the Act's primary
> > objective of recognising tribal rights. To begin
> > with, a copy of the Act should be shown to the
> > forest department and the islands' Administration.
> > If that doesn't work, maybe a legal challenge could
> > be considered? I think Pankaj has a copy of the Act
> > - if not, I can send a verified soft copy (although
> > I don't think it has yet been signed by the
> > President but that should get done as a matter of
> > course soon).
> > Madhu
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Pankaj
> > To: andamanicobar@...
> > Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
> > Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd
> > Anniversary of the Tsunami by the Tribal Council of
> > Nancowrie
> >
> >
> > PRESS RELEASE
> > on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the
> > Tsunami, 26th December 2006
> >
> > by
> > Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar
> > Islands
> > Email: tribalcouncil.nancowrie@...
> > Tel: 09434284444
> >
> > Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long
> > way to go for the
> > Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar
> > archipelago in the Bay of
> > Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous
> > losses directly caused by
> > the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of
> > subsistence and way of
> > life and culture - the post-tsunami period has
> > only brought added misery. In
> > part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden
> > change in lifestyle. But
> > it is also due to fresh threats to our very
> > existence due to certain moves
> > made by various agencies of the government and
> > non-government organizations.
> > Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by
> > the administration
> > (government) - for which we remain grateful - we
> > continue to live in an
> > atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our
> > future. For us, the
> > present situation is marked by the following:
> >
> > Threat from the Forest Department: Through a
> > recent proclamation of the
> > Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced
> > that the entire land area of
> > our islands excluding the village area, is being
> > constituted as Reserved
> > Forest under the ownership of the Forest
> > Department. This means that the
> > Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as
> > trespassers in their own forests
> > and punished for the same. This development is a
> > deathblow for us. We have
> > lived on these islands for centuries together. All
> > land has been divided
> > amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the
> > demarcations made by them are
> > observed by us to this day. As a primarily
> > hunting-gathering tribe we depend
> > upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach
> > great cultural and
> > economic significance to them and it is impossible
> > for us to live in
> > separation for them. We love our forests and care
> > for them - their very
> > existence over the centuries is testimony to this
> > fact. On the contrary, the
> > damage inflicted to our forests has begun only
> > after the Forest Department
> > established its presence in our islands. It is
> > therefore, not acceptable to
> > us in the least that our forests should be
> > declared Reserve Forests.
> >
> > Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For
> > many years now, we have
> > time and again raised the matter of our lands
> > being encroached upon by
> > non-tribals running variety of trade illegally,
> > whose very presence in our
> > islands is illegal according to the Andaman &
> > Nicobar (Protection of
> > Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the
> > tsunami, this situation has
> > been compounded by some departments of the
> > administration who are occupying
> > tribal land without permission for constructing
> > their offices. Further
> > adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on
> > Kamorta Island, is
> > objecting to the construction of permanent
> > shelters in several villages
> > claiming these sites to be under its ownership.
> > Work in these villages has
> > come to a standstill and the people continue to
> > languish in temporary
> > shelters on the verge of collapse. It is
> > impossible for the figure to be
> > 208 acres since there are large villages outside
> > this extent and these have
> > been in existence for at least a few hundred
> > years. Unfortunately, all our
> > records have been washed away by the tsunami and
> > we are unable to provide
> > documentary evidence from our end. However, our
> > predicament is not being
> > understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people
> > are under siege from all
> > sides and we do not know where to look.
> >
> > Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the
> > construction of permanent
> > shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties
> > are arising for us and
> > causing further delay. Despite assurances from
> > senior government officers as
> > well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our
> > requirements will be
> > honoured, the building contractor and the Central
> > Public Works Department
> > (CPWD), the government agency responsible for
> > permanent housing, want to
> > construct the permanent shelters very close to
> > each other to suit their own
> > convenience. This condition is too difficult for
> > us to accept. The location
> > and layout of the village and of the houses are
> > central to the Nicobarese
> > way of life. The space around our houses is
> > essential for carrying out
> > traditional rituals and ceremonies; for
> > maintaining livestock as well as
> > small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style
> > is different from that of
> > mainlanders and we very much hope that the
> > administration can appreciate and
> > respect this difference as it has been doing
> > before.
> >
> > Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island
> > existence but are yet to be
> > distributed to all the deserving families. In
> > their absence, these families
> > are unable to develop a source of livelihood.
> > Further, 18 boats given by an
> > NGO which were in community use across the islands
> > have all broken down
> > since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to
> > be replaced with wooden
> > boats.
> >
> > Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The
> > Nicobarese are suffering
> > at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant
> > Commissioner, Nancowrie,
> > senior-most administrative officer in these
> > islands. He is authoritarian and
> > high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the
> > participation of the
> > Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also
> > highly insensitive to our
> > traditional ways of life. His continued presence
> > in office is highly
> > detrimental to the ongoing process of
> > rehabilitation.
> >
> > Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the
> > various aid agencies/NGOs
> > that came forward to help us soon after the
> > tsunami. Yet we feel that their
> > overall impact has not been a positive one. First,
> > some NGOs tend to operate
> > with a lack of transparency. For example, we came
> > to know that an NGO called
> > Butterflies was carrying out activities in our
> > island without the knowledge
> > of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek
> > only token participation
> > of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend
> > legitimacy to their own
> > agenda, which often do not address our real
> > requirements. Third, many of the
> > training programmes being carried out are
> > meaningless
> === message truncated ===
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

This is a long, complicated and ultimately rather frightening story. It began in
the Andamans
in 1998 but has traveled far afield since. The matters involved are so sensitive
that for all these
years I could not be sure if it would help or hurt to make it public. But the
lives of 34 young men
hang in the balance and their only hope might be an informed public. Hence this
message to you all.

In 1998 a group of so-called arms smugglers were captured on the Andamans in a
major operation
involving the Indian Navy. Some of you may recall this as the Leech Operation. I
happened to be on the islands
at the time, and it soon became clear that all was not as it seemed. In 2000,
when I returned to the islands,
I got a chance to interview two of the prisoners, who were being held under
house arrest.
Here is the story they told me.

They belonged to a group of Arakanese who were fighting the Burmese junta. One
of the two had been a
student of physics, and the other of history, and after the junta closed all
universities they returned to
their villages, where they found chaos. The army was everywhere, beating up and
arresting young men,
and so the two had left and trekked through the forest to join the Arakan Army,
a ragtag band of freedom
fighters. The two were in fact assigned to the "navy," and would extract money
from fishing boats
and use the money to buy arms from Thai gun runners.
They were the source of both money and arms for the Arakan army.

The Arakan army had good relations with the Indian army in the NorthEast. An
Indian military intelligence officer
named Grewal, who spoke Burmese fluently, became close to their leader, Reza,
and offered the Arakan
navy a safe haven on Landfall Island. This uninhabited island is the
northernmost island in the Andaman group;
north of it lie the Cocos, which belong to Burma. Grewal got an enormous amount
of money from the Arakanese.
The deal was concluded, I believe, in Bangkok, and the Arakanese got in return a
document which they
believed to be a deal with the Indian government. They were thrilled.

On the assigned day some 40 of the Arakanese, and an observer from the Karen
army, traveled to Landfall Island
in speedboats along with their guns and tons of food and cans of Coke. They also
took along around 30 fishermen
who had failed to pay "taxes" and whom they captured on the way. On Landfall
they were met by Grewal.
That night there was a great feast and much merrymaking, and everyone slept
under a massive tree near the beach.

The next morning the Arakanese saw that Indian Navy ships had arrived and were
unloading soldiers. Grewal told them
that an important leader from Delhi was coming by helicopter to finalize the
deal. The helicopter would land on a beach that was around some bushes, and he
took the six leaders (five Arakanese and one Karen) along with him.
The remaining Arakanese were told by other Indian officers
that they wanted to take a picture. Accordingly the guns were arranged in front
of them, and they posed behind the pile.
This was the picture given to the newspapers as showing arms smugglers.

At this juncture they heard gunshots from the direction of the beach where their
leaders had been taken. Startled, they
looked around to find the Indian soldiers pointing guns at them. They were at
this point completely unarmed. They were
blindfolded and taken on board a ship and then landed and held in different
places, they did not know where.
Their top six leaders were shot dead. I believe the bodies were never found.

Who was ultimately behind the doublecross? I don't know. There are hints that
the Burmese junta may have been
involved. They are the ones who gained most from this affair, given that the
operation essentially destroyed the Arakan army. Grewal is reported to have a
home and a business in Rangoon.

If all goes well, the trial will answer many questions. But portends are not
good. The fishermen were set free, but 34 Arakanese have been held all these
years without being charged.
  The case has been transferred to Calcutta, and they are in Presidency jail.
Recently the prisoners complained about
mistreatment and fought with some guards. Three of the prisoners were badly
beaten and are now in hospital. The government seems to be setting up a case
that they are dangerous and that the trial should be held inside the jail.

A secret trial would be disastrous for them. A public outcry is necesary in
order to make sure that the trial is public and open. Nandita Haksar, the famous
Delhi lawyer, has taken up the case, and if there is a fair trial there is hope.
If acquitted, the Arakanese will also need refugee status, for if they are
repatriated to Burma they will be shot.

There are so many terrible things going on nowadays that this case might seem
like a small and convoluted matter.
Still, I hope that public and press attention can stay on it long enough to
force a fair trial.

Madhusree

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol 32 :: Issue 01 :: 30 December 2006*
Dus Saal Baad: Down Inferno Lane Babu Lane was ablaze while the people
watched helplessly, but it appears that despite such horrific incidents, the
administration are yet to learn their lessons.



December 28, 1996—the last Saturday of the year—people enjoy the festive
season. Businessmen had a hectic day and the engagement was not yet over.
Ships were unloading cargo; labourers stacking goods in godowns— Babu
Lanehad a large number of godowns that stocked the materials of nearly
every
major trader. Past 10 pm, a small cloud of smoke was seen emerging from the
godown of A.K. Thangavelu at Babu Lane Junction opposite Ganesh temple.
There was a fire.

Within a few minutes, a ball of fire lept towards the sky. Fire tenders
reached instantly. The fire was almost under control when the fire tenders
ran out of water. Backup arrived too late. By the time fire tenders could
return with more water, the fire had turned into an inferno. The fire had
spread to the surrounding buildings. In no time, Somu Studio across the
street was on fire—effectively sealing the entrance to Babu Lane.

There was nothing the firemen could do. Naval Fire Service was
requisitioned. They fought valiantly along with the local fire department.
But Babu Lane had to be written off simply because the road met with a dead
end. There was no way in.

About two dozen wooden buildings crammed either side of Babu Lane — all over
half a century old and bone dry. It was virtually powder keg waiting for it
to happen. It took less than an hour to char the entire area.

The firemen were working furiously to salvage whatever they could on
the Maulana
Azad Road between Babu Lane junction and Mohanpura. Late Haji Alvi's RCC
building proved a buffer and the forces succeeded in containing it there.

On the right side the entire lane from the entrance to Netaji Hall, to the
end of Babu Lane was gutted in fire. The historical Netaji Hall of the Local
Born Association was also one of the historic buildings consumed by the
fire.

Ten years down the line, it is pertinent to look back if the city fathers,
the citizens and the administration have learnt any lessons from such
devastating fire accidents.


Brace for Assembly: Bhakta While revealing his priority for employment
generation over safety of lives, Bhakta holds his breath for the fate of the
assembly, slated to be revealed in one month's time



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: In his first press conference in a decade, Manoranjan Bhakta,
the lone Member of Parliament from A&N Islands bared all to media persons on
Sunday December 24, 2006. Briefing the press he explained that the
Parliamentary Committee attached to the Home Ministry is expected to submit
its much awaited report.

Within a month's time the Home Ministry would have submitted its action
taken report at which time the fate of the assembly will finally unravel.
"Until then we have to keep our fingers crossed," says Bhakta.

Bhakta maintained that he was not consulted on the issue of permanent
shelters. "Just sitting in some meeting doesn't mean I was consulted," he
said. Responding to questions about the non-payment of wages of Forest
Corporation workers and employees, he said Rs 19 crore was sanctioned to the
corporation to meet its urgent financial needs. He further said the
corporation would have to revise its activities to make it financially
viable. Tata Consultancy Services was retained to recommend the future
course of action in that direction. Some workers will be given VRS and
activities diversified to infuse new life into the corporation.

Contrary to the policy of the UPA Government, Bhakta advocated more
employment of labour under the departments as against contract system now
adopted by the APWD and other major departments.

"Thirty quarry operators had come to me and I took them to the DC to ensure
that the quarries were not closed. It would have affected the heavy
construction works in progress," points out Bhakta. It was insinuated that
Rs 10 lakh had changed hands to get the work done.

"My credentials are above board. I did get the quarry work done. Rest, I
don't know," he said. However, it is reported that each of the quarry
operator had contributed Rs 50,000 for the work.

Corbyn's Cove and Prothroepur areas have over 30 quarries in about 3 sqkm
area. It has made life impossible for the residents of the locality. The
matter had been taken up with the authorities to close down the quarries in
public interest. But the MP's influence over the administration against that
of the people's was overwhelming. He refused to comment on relocating the
quarries that would have ensured progress of work as well as a safer life
for the residents. He further refused to comment about the induction of more
and more DANICS officers into the administration, to the detriment of local
officers' interests.


Lacklustre second tsunami anniversary



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: Floral tributes were paid to those who lost their lives in 2004
earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2006 at 6.20 AM at Water Sports
Complex, Aberdeen Jetty. Chief Secretary, Shumsher K Shariff was the first
to pay his tributes followed by Manoranjan Bhakta, Member of Parliament.
Others followed them. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, S. Regupathy
arrived when the all-religion prayers were going on. He was accompanied by
K. Krishnan Member, PBMC.

The attendance on the occasion was sparse. The chairperson PBMC and Adhyaksh
Zilla Parishad and the members of these two local bodies were conspicuous by
their absence. Very few officers, other than those connected with the
programme, could be seen at the venue.

Lucas Robert was probably the only Nicobari present at Water Sports Complex.
He however was on duty being the head of the office of Sports & Cultural
Affairs.

Rahul Bose, the famous movie star and convenor of The Foundation, a newly
formed NGO working in the islands had flown down from Mumbai for the
occasion.

"Why go through the motion if we don't feel any empathy with those who died
on the day two years back" said a jogger who had joined in out of curiosity.



Flagrant violation of building bylaws **
*By Govindaraju *

After the devastating fire accident of December 28, 1996, Babu Lane has
sprung back. The skyline has changed from a bevy of wooden buildings to RCC
buildings of various designs, types and sizes. Only a few disputed plots of
land are lying vacant.

During the massive earthquake of 2004 the residents of these buildings had
to contend with more than the rumblings going on inside the earth. The beams
of the buildings were rubbing against those of the adjacent buildings
creating frightening noises.

Adversities create opportunities for correcting the past mistakes too. The
fire accident should have been used to develop the area in such a fashion
that in future any natural disaster would be tackled in a scientific way to
minimise the loss and damages.

But the agencies responsible to ensure such a scheme of things missed the
opportunity totally. There was a plan to connect Babu Lane to Mohanpura
through a road passing through the properties of the Jadwets or the Meshacks
at the end of the road. But during reconstruction, this aspect was ignored.
As a result, Babu Lane still ends in a blind alley. Any future calamity
would present the same problems as was experienced in 1996, maybe, even
more.

One thing that the administration did attend to was widening of the road. To
compensate for the land taken for road widening, the Deputy Commissioner had
granted exemption from the standard set back from the centre of the road.
Other than that no dispensation was granted to the plot owners.

But the buildings that came up after the fire accident violate every single
specification mandated by the Building Bye Laws of the Port Blair Municipal
Council. The glaring violation is the side set back between two buildings.
Every building must leave a clear set back of one metre each on either side
and also at the back. That leaves an open space of two metres between two
buildings – good enough for firemen and rescue personnel to move freely in
cases of emergency. But a cursory glance is enough for anyone to convince
that no such space exists.

The staircases, fire escapes, sizes of main doors, corridors every single
specification stands violated. The Port Blair Municipal Council is a mute
spectator of such violations.

There are stringent provisions for stoppage of work and demolition of
portion that violate the approved plan. But the Bye Laws are observed more
in its breach than execution.


Councillors encourage violations?



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: Speaking to LOA, Mohammed, Secretary, PBMC expressed his
helplessness in enforcing the Building Bye Laws without the active
cooperation and support of the council. "Whenever action is proposed against
serious violations, the council asks for compilation of all such cases and
the matter goes back on back burner" Said Mohammed. He advised us to talk to
Jaya Kumar, Junior Architect for further information.

The Inspection and Enforcement wing of the Engineering Department comprises
of one Building Inspector and one draughtsman. It is humanly impossible to
keep an eye on all the 18 wards with just two employees without any support
staff.

"Before starting the actual construction, the owner must inform the council,
as per rule. Nobody does that" lamented Jaya Kumar.

Building Bye Laws have become a butt of joke in Port Blair. Even after six
or seven notices, the erring builders carry on with their constructions with
impunity. Majority of councillors do not have the vision of a beautiful,
well laid out town where all the services are available to the people
without any risk. They are more interested in protecting their protégés for
obvious reasons.

"There are buildings coming up on drains and hume pipes. We can't do
anything" said Jaya Kumar.

Deputy Commissioner is the appellate authority in the dispute over building
bye laws. Over half a dozen cases are pending before him. Almost all the
cases belong to well connected political entities of all hues. Naturally,
the DC is sitting tight on those cases.

"We are capable of setting right every single violation in a month's time.
But the councillors must support us whole heartedly" concluded Mohammed.


2006 through the eyes of LoA



JANUARY



Ø      Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits A&N Islands. He is not allowed
to meet the people. Even a civic reception to the PM is denied.

Ø      Deputy Commissioner KS Singh gheraoed at Hut Bay

Ø      Sanjit Das, a class X student wins Rs 10,000 prize for his essay
"Conservation & Global Warming conducted by Petroleum Conservation Research
Association

Ø      Sick New Born Baby unit inaugurated in GB Pant Hospital.



FEBRUARY



Ø      AIEEE creates flutter amongst students and parents alike.

Ø      Prof. Ram Kapse moved to Chennai for specialized treatment on Feb 03
following a fall in his bathroom.

Ø      Earthquake measuring 6.00 on Richter scale rocks Andaman Islands

Ø      Port Blair Municipality plunges into crisis. February 12 fixed for
consideration of no-confidence motion

Ø      No-confidence motion against Zubaida Begum of Congress carried with
overwhelming majority.

Ø      53 Arakanese captured from Barren Island on a tip off from a passing
yacht

Ø      Fire breaks out in a building behind Police Mosque on February 21. No
loss of life or major disaster.



MARCH



Ø      Quick response team constituted to fight Bird Flu.

Ø      Shumsher K Shariff takes over as the Chief Secretary

Ø      No-confidence motion in PBMC boomerangs. Notices served on 12
councillors for having failed to file assets declaration in time.

Ø      Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Fraternity Circle demands National
Family Status for the families of those imprisoned in Cellular jail during
British regime.

Ø      Two Polytechnic lecturers issued HAM radio license

Ø      Manoranjan Bhakta says 'Freedom fighter status to Moplahs and others
long overdue'



April



Ø      Birchgunj awaits environmental disaster due to excessive quarry
operations

Ø      International Convention of Amateur Radio Operators held at Port
Blair on 15th under the aegis of National Institute of Amateur Radio,
Hyderabad.

Ø      Nancowry Hospital gets ultra-sound machine on April 22

Ø      IGNOU sets up Regional Centre

Ø      Hallmark made compulsory for gold jewellery from April 01, 2007


Ø      Flat Bay scam reopened.



MAY



Ø      Rural areas face blackout after a blast in Surya Chakra Power Plant
on 6th

Ø      Cyclone Mala plays havoc in North Andaman

Ø      Police selects over 60 sub inspectors and assistant sub inspectors in
a corruption free selection process

Ø      Dilleshwar Rao, CPA arrested for corruption and remanded to judicial
custody

Ø      Neem cake causes diarrhoea in Kamorta

Ø      Anthony Appa, Dilleshwar Rao's bete noir found murdered.



JUNE



Ø      Arpit Roy tops class XII CBSE exams without tuition

Ø      Need for the third front mooted by the local unit of CPI(M)

Ø      Tourism separated from Information & Publicity on June 24



JULY



Ø      Tribal pass racket busted. Massive manhunt for Bangladeshis start.

Ø      Angry mob threaten boat master in Campbell Bay

Ø      Noose tighten against those living in Nicobar district without a
valid tribal pass



AUGUST



Ø      'Job against cash' in Health Department busted.

Ø      Sarju Lal, a veteran stage artist of the islands breathes his last on
Aug. 12

Ø      In a spate of road accidents, Ayushi, a six old girl dies after
fighting for life for three days

Ø      Shumsher K Shariff, Chief Secretary hoists the national flag in the
absence of Lt. Governor


Ø      Squall causes major power disruption

Ø      Surya Chakra Power Corporation suffers diesel shortage

Ø      The third district of A&N Islands, North & Middle Andaman District,
comes into being on August 18

Ø      Five members of Port Blair Municipal Council disqualified. Victims
fear political manipulation

Ø      Chowra Island gets more power through a new temporary power house on
Sep 02

Ø      Jarawas strike back with a vengeance   nLivelihood resource Centre of
CEFI, New Delhi holds a seminar on the potentials of the islands


Ø      Disqualified councillors get stay order from Calcutta High Court

Ø      Chikungunya turns to epidemic proportion

Ø      Heavy rains flood the low lying areas of Port Blair town

Ø      Postal department holds Philatelic Exhibition

Ø      R. Chidambaram elected Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad as expected.



OCTOBER



Ø      Cholera stalks the town

Ø      LPG supply deficient




NOVEMBER



Ø      Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce visits isles

Ø      Bhaskar Bhattacharyya, Director of Mines Safety, Dhanbad, dies of
drowning at Radhanagar beach in Havelock

Ø      Union Minister of State for Social Welfare, Subbulakshmi visits isles

Ø      Traffic Management considers suspension of driving license of those
involved in road accident

Ø      53rd All India Cooperative Week celebrated with great gusto.

Ø      Supreme Court Judge, Justice Chatterji, taken ill at seminar

Ø      Police resorts to lathicharge on agitators at Hut Bay, construction
work of permanent shelter suspended.



DECEMBER



Ø      Sher Singh elected Chairman of Port Blair Municipal Council amidst a
major political realignment

Ø      Bharat Nirman Dweep Vikas organised by PIB, Port Blair at
Wimberlyganj proves a much bigger draw than expected

Ø      Janak Digal cornered in Farmers' meet at Bharat Nirman Dweep Vikas at
Wimberlyganj

Ø      MV Chuglam, a highly deficient cargo vessel joins the shipping fleet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

let us think of a campaign with the human rights groups and burmese student
groups.

santhosh

On 1/2/07, Madhusree Mukerjee <lopchu@...> wrote:
>
>   This is a long, complicated and ultimately rather frightening story. It
> began in the Andamans
> in 1998 but has traveled far afield since. The matters involved are so
> sensitive that for all these
> years I could not be sure if it would help or hurt to make it public. But
> the lives of 34 young men
> hang in the balance and their only hope might be an informed public. Hence
> this message to you all.
>
> In 1998 a group of so-called arms smugglers were captured on the Andamans
> in a major operation
> involving the Indian Navy. Some of you may recall this as the Leech
> Operation. I happened to be on the islands
> at the time, and it soon became clear that all was not as it seemed. In
> 2000, when I returned to the islands,
> I got a chance to interview two of the prisoners, who were being held
> under house arrest.
> Here is the story they told me.
>
> They belonged to a group of Arakanese who were fighting the Burmese junta.
> One of the two had been a
> student of physics, and the other of history, and after the junta closed
> all universities they returned to
> their villages, where they found chaos. The army was everywhere, beating
> up and arresting young men,
> and so the two had left and trekked through the forest to join the Arakan
> Army, a ragtag band of freedom
> fighters. The two were in fact assigned to the "navy," and would extract
> money from fishing boats
> and use the money to buy arms from Thai gun runners.
> They were the source of both money and arms for the Arakan army.
>
> The Arakan army had good relations with the Indian army in the NorthEast.
> An Indian military intelligence officer
> named Grewal, who spoke Burmese fluently, became close to their leader,
> Reza, and offered the Arakan
> navy a safe haven on Landfall Island. This uninhabited island is the
> northernmost island in the Andaman group;
> north of it lie the Cocos, which belong to Burma. Grewal got an enormous
> amount of money from the Arakanese.
> The deal was concluded, I believe, in Bangkok, and the Arakanese got in
> return a document which they
> believed to be a deal with the Indian government. They were thrilled.
>
> On the assigned day some 40 of the Arakanese, and an observer from the
> Karen army, traveled to Landfall Island
> in speedboats along with their guns and tons of food and cans of Coke.
> They also took along around 30 fishermen
> who had failed to pay "taxes" and whom they captured on the way. On
> Landfall they were met by Grewal.
> That night there was a great feast and much merrymaking, and everyone
> slept under a massive tree near the beach.
>
> The next morning the Arakanese saw that Indian Navy ships had arrived and
> were unloading soldiers. Grewal told them
> that an important leader from Delhi was coming by helicopter to finalize
> the deal. The helicopter would land on a beach that was around some bushes,
> and he took the six leaders (five Arakanese and one Karen) along with him.
> The remaining Arakanese were told by other Indian officers
> that they wanted to take a picture. Accordingly the guns were arranged in
> front of them, and they posed behind the pile.
> This was the picture given to the newspapers as showing arms smugglers.
>
> At this juncture they heard gunshots from the direction of the beach where
> their leaders had been taken. Startled, they
> looked around to find the Indian soldiers pointing guns at them. They were
> at this point completely unarmed. They were
> blindfolded and taken on board a ship and then landed and held in
> different places, they did not know where.
> Their top six leaders were shot dead. I believe the bodies were never
> found.
>
> Who was ultimately behind the doublecross? I don't know. There are hints
> that the Burmese junta may have been
> involved. They are the ones who gained most from this affair, given that
> the operation essentially destroyed the Arakan army. Grewal is reported to
> have a home and a business in Rangoon.
>
> If all goes well, the trial will answer many questions. But portends are
> not good. The fishermen were set free, but 34 Arakanese have been held all
> these years without being charged.
> The case has been transferred to Calcutta, and they are in Presidency
> jail. Recently the prisoners complained about
> mistreatment and fought with some guards. Three of the prisoners were
> badly beaten and are now in hospital. The government seems to be setting up
> a case that they are dangerous and that the trial should be held inside the
> jail.
>
> A secret trial would be disastrous for them. A public outcry is necesary
> in order to make sure that the trial is public and open. Nandita Haksar, the
> famous Delhi lawyer, has taken up the case, and if there is a fair trial
> there is hope. If acquitted, the Arakanese will also need refugee status,
> for if they are repatriated to Burma they will be shot.
>
> There are so many terrible things going on nowadays that this case might
> seem like a small and convoluted matter.
> Still, I hope that public and press attention can stay on it long enough
> to force a fair trial.
>
> Madhusree
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Sharbendu,

I realise that I have made a comment about Butterflies based on a quick reading
of the tribal council's statement. I had just assumed, unfairly I realise, that
the Tribal council singling out Butterflies in their statement meant that they
had some serious problems with the activities of Butterflies in their island. I
apologise for this lapse on my part. I have no previous knowledge of Butterflies
and should not have made such a comment.

Regards,

Vivek

V.Vivekanandan
Chief Executive
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
Karamana
Trivandrum 695 002

Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
Res: +91-471-2501018
Mobile: +91-9847084840

E-mail: vivek@...

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Sharbendu De
   To: vivek@...
   Cc: andamanicobar@... ; Rita Panicker ; Gerry Pinto
   Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 2:27 PM
   Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami
by the Tribal Council of Nancowrie


   Dear Mr. Vivek,

   We do observe that you have alleged Butterflies of doing 'harm to the cause'
of the tribal people in Nancowrie, in your public statement given in this forum.

   What the tribal council had said is that they were unaware of Butterflies
presence in Nancowrie. We have already responded to that.

   If you read very carefully, they have made no allegations on us about 'doing
harm'. It is very senstive of the tribal council who haven't gone into defaming
someone's reputation, but expressed concern and we very much respect that.

   However, your allegation places matters on a very different and rather
uncomfortable note. May I request you to kindly substantiate your allegation
with appropriate evidences.

   It would be interesting to hear of your credentials with respect to the
understanding of A&N Islands and it's tribal cultures.

   With regards
   Sharbendu De
   Programme Manager
   Butterflies

   ----- Original Message ----
   From: V.Vivekanandan <vivek@...>
   To: andamanicobar@...
   Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 10:14:31 PM
   Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami
by the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

   Dear friends,

   This is an amazing statement coming from the tribal council very clearly
listing out the issues and taking clear stand on many issues. The issues like
the forest department take over of the forests and the location of permanent
shelters are very serious indeed. While good deeds by Govt and NGOs have been
properly acknowledged, the tribal council is also straight forward in denouncing
what is thinks are wrong and has not shied away from naming individuals (e.g.
S.C.Thyagi) and organisations (e.g. Butterflies) who are doing harm to their
cause. We need to express our solidarity with the tribal council on these issues
and see how we can take up the issues on the mainland.

   Regards,

   Vivek

   V.Vivekanandan
   Chief Executive
   South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
   Karamana
   Trivandrum 695 002

   Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
   Res: +91-471-2501018
   Mobile: +91-9847084840

   E-mail: vivek@siffs. org

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Pankaj
   To: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in
   Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
   Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

   PRESS RELEASE
   on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami, 26th December 2006

   by
   Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar Islands
   Email: tribalcouncil. nancowrie@ gmail.com
   Tel: 09434284444

   Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long way to go for the
   Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of
   Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous losses directly caused by
   the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of subsistence and way of
   life and culture - the post-tsunami period has only brought added misery. In
   part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden change in lifestyle. But
   it is also due to fresh threats to our very existence due to certain moves
   made by various agencies of the government and non-government organizations.
   Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by the administration
   (government) - for which we remain grateful - we continue to live in an
   atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our future. For us, the
   present situation is marked by the following:

   Threat from the Forest Department: Through a recent proclamation of the
   Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced that the entire land area of
   our islands excluding the village area, is being constituted as Reserved
   Forest under the ownership of the Forest Department. This means that the
   Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as trespassers in their own forests
   and punished for the same. This development is a deathblow for us. We have
   lived on these islands for centuries together. All land has been divided
   amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the demarcations made by them are
   observed by us to this day. As a primarily hunting-gathering tribe we depend
   upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach great cultural and
   economic significance to them and it is impossible for us to live in
   separation for them. We love our forests and care for them - their very
   existence over the centuries is testimony to this fact. On the contrary, the
   damage inflicted to our forests has begun only after the Forest Department
   established its presence in our islands. It is therefore, not acceptable to
   us in the least that our forests should be declared Reserve Forests.

   Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For many years now, we have
   time and again raised the matter of our lands being encroached upon by
   non-tribals running variety of trade illegally, whose very presence in our
   islands is illegal according to the Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of
   Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the tsunami, this situation has
   been compounded by some departments of the administration who are occupying
   tribal land without permission for constructing their offices. Further
   adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on Kamorta Island, is
   objecting to the construction of permanent shelters in several villages
   claiming these sites to be under its ownership. Work in these villages has
   come to a standstill and the people continue to languish in temporary
   shelters on the verge of collapse. It is impossible for the figure to be
   208 acres since there are large villages outside this extent and these have
   been in existence for at least a few hundred years. Unfortunately, all our
   records have been washed away by the tsunami and we are unable to provide
   documentary evidence from our end. However, our predicament is not being
   understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people are under siege from all
   sides and we do not know where to look.

   Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the construction of permanent
   shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties are arising for us and
   causing further delay. Despite assurances from senior government officers as
   well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our requirements will be
   honoured, the building contractor and the Central Public Works Department
   (CPWD), the government agency responsible for permanent housing, want to
   construct the permanent shelters very close to each other to suit their own
   convenience. This condition is too difficult for us to accept. The location
   and layout of the village and of the houses are central to the Nicobarese
   way of life. The space around our houses is essential for carrying out
   traditional rituals and ceremonies; for maintaining livestock as well as
   small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style is different from that of
   mainlanders and we very much hope that the administration can appreciate and
   respect this difference as it has been doing before.

   Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island existence but are yet to be
   distributed to all the deserving families. In their absence, these families
   are unable to develop a source of livelihood. Further, 18 boats given by an
   NGO which were in community use across the islands have all broken down
   since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to be replaced with wooden
   boats.

   Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The Nicobarese are suffering
   at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie,
   senior-most administrative officer in these islands. He is authoritarian and
   high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the participation of the
   Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also highly insensitive to our
   traditional ways of life. His continued presence in office is highly
   detrimental to the ongoing process of rehabilitation.

   Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the various aid agencies/NGOs
   that came forward to help us soon after the tsunami. Yet we feel that their
   overall impact has not been a positive one. First, some NGOs tend to operate
   with a lack of transparency. For example, we came to know that an NGO called
   Butterflies was carrying out activities in our island without the knowledge
   of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek only token participation
   of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend legitimacy to their own
   agenda, which often do not address our real requirements. Third, many of the
   training programmes being carried out are meaningless for us. They seem to
   be theoretical and literature-based, and are beyond comprehension for the
   average Nicobarese.

   Death Certificates not issued in the name of Missing Persons: Death
   certificates have not been issued in the name of the persons whose bodies
   were not recovered after the tsunami. As a result, the local bank is unable
   to transfer the money lying in their accounts to the next of kin. Since most
   deaths in the tsunami fall in this category (of missing persons) great
   hardship is being caused to the heirs of missing persons.

   Waiver of old loans and disbursal of new ones: Despite an assurance from the
   administration that the outstanding amount on loans taken pre-tsunami by the
   Nicobarese would be waived, directions are yet to be received by the banks
   concerned.

   Meanwhile, candidates identified by the Department of Industries for award
   of loans for self-employment activities are still waiting for their loan
   amounts. There are now more people who have undergone training by NGOs or
   the Administration. They require loans to make use of their recently
   acquired skills to earn a livelihood.

   THE WAY FORWARD

   Our vision of development is one in which economic well-being is nurtured
   along with our social and cultural integrity. Some of our ideas in this
   direction are as follows:

   Economic Development: The Nicobarese wish to promote economic development
   through the cooperative structure. This will reduce exploitation of the
   Nicobarese by outsiders and will ensure an equitable distribution of
   resources and opportunities. For this purpose, funds (including grant-in-aid
   towards infrastructure and working capital) are requested to be sanctioned
   to a pre-existing primary cooperative society to strengthen its activities.

   Social and cultural integrity: Despite legal restrictions, immigrant traders
   have illegally established themselves in several parts of the Nicobar
   Islands and engage in an unequal exchange with the Nicobarese leading to
   their exploitation. Many Nicobarese are presently under their debt and
   nearly all money received as compensation after tsunami has ended up in
   their hands. These immigrant traders are not only an economic threat but
   challenge the social and cultural integrity of the Nicobarese. The
   Nicobarese request their removal from the islands.

   Improvement of infrastructure and services: Educational and health services
   need to be given a major boost. The quality of education is currently very
   poor; apart from addressing this, elements of Nicobarese history, culture
   and craft need to be made part of the educational curriculum. Health
   services are extremely inadequate; the way to improve them is to establish
   good communications and transport infrastructure, apart from upgrading
   existing medical facilities and establishing medical facilities where they
   are currently non-existent. Inter-island transport and communication is
   currently a severe problem and is one of the biggest handicaps in the
   development of our islands.

   Motivating government staff: Due to the poor infrastructure and services in
   the islands, most government staff are always in a hurry to get posted back
   to Port Blair/Andaman District. Further, they look down upon us and
   contribute very much to the average Nicobarese's lack of self-esteem.
   Government servants need to be sensitized to our way of life and motivated
   to serve in our islands.

   Right to land and self-governance: All of the land (unless surrendered for
   various purposes) traditionally belong to the Nicobarese families. Every
   area, inhabited or uninhabited has an owner. We request that our right to
   their land is respected and protected. Furthermore, we have their own system
   of governance based on elections. Therefore, we desire very much that our
   Tribal Councils be recognised as a legal entity and the islands be brought
   under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen our traditional
   rights and self-governance system.

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

   __________________________________________________
   Do You Yahoo!?
   Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
   http://mail.yahoo.com

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Vivek,

Thanks for your understanding. Let us be united while standing for the rights of
the tribal communities, be it in ANI or any other place.

With best wishes for the New Year!

Sharbendu De
Programme Manager
Butterflies


----- Original Message ----
From: V.Vivekanandan <vivek@...>
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 7:47:14 AM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

Dear Sharbendu,

I realise that I have made a comment about Butterflies based on a quick reading
of the tribal council's statement. I had just assumed, unfairly I realise, that
the Tribal council singling out Butterflies in their statement meant that they
had some serious problems with the activities of Butterflies in their island. I
apologise for this lapse on my part. I have no previous knowledge of Butterflies
and should not have made such a comment.

Regards,

Vivek

V.Vivekanandan
Chief Executive
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
Karamana
Trivandrum 695 002

Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
Res: +91-471-2501018
Mobile: +91-9847084840

E-mail: vivek@siffs. org

----- Original Message -----
From: Sharbendu De
To: vivek@siffs. org
Cc: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in ; Rita Panicker ; Gerry Pinto
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

Dear Mr. Vivek,

We do observe that you have alleged Butterflies of doing 'harm to the cause' of
the tribal people in Nancowrie, in your public statement given in this forum.

What the tribal council had said is that they were unaware of Butterflies
presence in Nancowrie. We have already responded to that.

If you read very carefully, they have made no allegations on us about 'doing
harm'. It is very senstive of the tribal council who haven't gone into defaming
someone's reputation, but expressed concern and we very much respect that.

However, your allegation places matters on a very different and rather
uncomfortable note. May I request you to kindly substantiate your allegation
with appropriate evidences.

It would be interesting to hear of your credentials with respect to the
understanding of A&N Islands and it's tribal cultures.

With regards
Sharbendu De
Programme Manager
Butterflies

----- Original Message ----
From: V.Vivekanandan <vivek@siffs. org>
To: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 10:14:31 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by
the Tribal Council of Nancowrie

Dear friends,

This is an amazing statement coming from the tribal council very clearly listing
out the issues and taking clear stand on many issues. The issues like the forest
department take over of the forests and the location of permanent shelters are
very serious indeed. While good deeds by Govt and NGOs have been properly
acknowledged, the tribal council is also straight forward in denouncing what is
thinks are wrong and has not shied away from naming individuals (e.g.
S.C.Thyagi) and organisations (e.g. Butterflies) who are doing harm to their
cause. We need to express our solidarity with the tribal council on these issues
and see how we can take up the issues on the mainland.

Regards,

Vivek

V.Vivekanandan
Chief Executive
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies
Karamana
Trivandrum 695 002

Ph: +91-471-2343711, 2343178
Res: +91-471-2501018
Mobile: +91-9847084840

E-mail: vivek@siffs. org

----- Original Message -----
From: Pankaj
To: andamanicobar@ yahoogroups. co.in
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 3:43 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] Press Release on 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami by the
Tribal Council of Nancowrie

PRESS RELEASE
on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the Tsunami, 26th December 2006

by
Tribal Council of Nancowrie, Central Nicobar Islands
Email: tribalcouncil. nancowrie@ gmail.com
Tel: 09434284444

Two years after the tsunami, it is still a long way to go for the
Nicobarese, indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of
Bengal. Even as we have grappled with tremendous losses directly caused by
the tsunami - of lives, of materials, our means of subsistence and way of
life and culture - the post-tsunami period has only brought added misery. In
part this is due to internal conflict and a sudden change in lifestyle. But
it is also due to fresh threats to our very existence due to certain moves
made by various agencies of the government and non-government organizations.
Despite the rehabilitation measures initiated by the administration
(government) - for which we remain grateful - we continue to live in an
atmosphere of great fear and uncertainty over our future. For us, the
present situation is marked by the following:

Threat from the Forest Department: Through a recent proclamation of the
Forest Settlement Officer it has been announced that the entire land area of
our islands excluding the village area, is being constituted as Reserved
Forest under the ownership of the Forest Department. This means that the
Nicobarese will henceforth be treated as trespassers in their own forests
and punished for the same. This development is a deathblow for us. We have
lived on these islands for centuries together. All land has been divided
amongst ourselves by our forefathers and the demarcations made by them are
observed by us to this day. As a primarily hunting-gathering tribe we depend
upon the forest for our very sustenance. We attach great cultural and
economic significance to them and it is impossible for us to live in
separation for them. We love our forests and care for them - their very
existence over the centuries is testimony to this fact. On the contrary, the
damage inflicted to our forests has begun only after the Forest Department
established its presence in our islands. It is therefore, not acceptable to
us in the least that our forests should be declared Reserve Forests.

Occupation and Encroachment upon Tribal Land: For many years now, we have
time and again raised the matter of our lands being encroached upon by
non-tribals running variety of trade illegally, whose very presence in our
islands is illegal according to the Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of
Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations, 1956. After the tsunami, this situation has
been compounded by some departments of the administration who are occupying
tribal land without permission for constructing their offices. Further
adding to our agony, INS Kardip, the naval base on Kamorta Island, is
objecting to the construction of permanent shelters in several villages
claiming these sites to be under its ownership. Work in these villages has
come to a standstill and the people continue to languish in temporary
shelters on the verge of collapse. It is impossible for the figure to be
208 acres since there are large villages outside this extent and these have
been in existence for at least a few hundred years. Unfortunately, all our
records have been washed away by the tsunami and we are unable to provide
documentary evidence from our end. However, our predicament is not being
understood. Consequently, the Nicobarese people are under siege from all
sides and we do not know where to look.

Location of Permanent Shelters: Even as the construction of permanent
shelters is going on slowly, fresh difficulties are arising for us and
causing further delay. Despite assurances from senior government officers as
well as the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor that our requirements will be
honoured, the building contractor and the Central Public Works Department
(CPWD), the government agency responsible for permanent housing, want to
construct the permanent shelters very close to each other to suit their own
convenience. This condition is too difficult for us to accept. The location
and layout of the village and of the houses are central to the Nicobarese
way of life. The space around our houses is essential for carrying out
traditional rituals and ceremonies; for maintaining livestock as well as
small plantations of fruit trees. Our life style is different from that of
mainlanders and we very much hope that the administration can appreciate and
respect this difference as it has been doing before.

Boats: Boats are the very lifeline of our island existence but are yet to be
distributed to all the deserving families. In their absence, these families
are unable to develop a source of livelihood. Further, 18 boats given by an
NGO which were in community use across the islands have all broken down
since they were made of fibre-glass. These need to be replaced with wooden
boats.

Insensitivity of local administrative officer: The Nicobarese are suffering
at the hands of of Shri.S.C.Tyagi, the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie,
senior-most administrative officer in these islands. He is authoritarian and
high-handed, and does not seem to believe in the participation of the
Nicobarese people in decision-making. He is also highly insensitive to our
traditional ways of life. His continued presence in office is highly
detrimental to the ongoing process of rehabilitation.

Impact of Aid Agencies: We are thankful to the various aid agencies/NGOs
that came forward to help us soon after the tsunami. Yet we feel that their
overall impact has not been a positive one. First, some NGOs tend to operate
with a lack of transparency. For example, we came to know that an NGO called
Butterflies was carrying out activities in our island without the knowledge
of the Tribal Council. Second, NGOs sometimes seek only token participation
of the village captains/Tribal Council to lend legitimacy to their own
agenda, which often do not address our real requirements. Third, many of the
training programmes being carried out are meaningless for us. They seem to
be theoretical and literature-based, and are beyond comprehension for the
average Nicobarese.

Death Certificates not issued in the name of Missing Persons: Death
certificates have not been issued in the name of the persons whose bodies
were not recovered after the tsunami. As a result, the local bank is unable
to transfer the money lying in their accounts to the next of kin. Since most
deaths in the tsunami fall in this category (of missing persons) great
hardship is being caused to the heirs of missing persons.

Waiver of old loans and disbursal of new ones: Despite an assurance from the
administration that the outstanding amount on loans taken pre-tsunami by the
Nicobarese would be waived, directions are yet to be received by the banks
concerned.

Meanwhile, candidates identified by the Department of Industries for award
of loans for self-employment activities are still waiting for their loan
amounts. There are now more people who have undergone training by NGOs or
the Administration. They require loans to make use of their recently
acquired skills to earn a livelihood.

THE WAY FORWARD

Our vision of development is one in which economic well-being is nurtured
along with our social and cultural integrity. Some of our ideas in this
direction are as follows:

Economic Development: The Nicobarese wish to promote economic development
through the cooperative structure. This will reduce exploitation of the
Nicobarese by outsiders and will ensure an equitable distribution of
resources and opportunities. For this purpose, funds (including grant-in-aid
towards infrastructure and working capital) are requested to be sanctioned
to a pre-existing primary cooperative society to strengthen its activities.

Social and cultural integrity: Despite legal restrictions, immigrant traders
have illegally established themselves in several parts of the Nicobar
Islands and engage in an unequal exchange with the Nicobarese leading to
their exploitation. Many Nicobarese are presently under their debt and
nearly all money received as compensation after tsunami has ended up in
their hands. These immigrant traders are not only an economic threat but
challenge the social and cultural integrity of the Nicobarese. The
Nicobarese request their removal from the islands.

Improvement of infrastructure and services: Educational and health services
need to be given a major boost. The quality of education is currently very
poor; apart from addressing this, elements of Nicobarese history, culture
and craft need to be made part of the educational curriculum. Health
services are extremely inadequate; the way to improve them is to establish
good communications and transport infrastructure, apart from upgrading
existing medical facilities and establishing medical facilities where they
are currently non-existent. Inter-island transport and communication is
currently a severe problem and is one of the biggest handicaps in the
development of our islands.

Motivating government staff: Due to the poor infrastructure and services in
the islands, most government staff are always in a hurry to get posted back
to Port Blair/Andaman District. Further, they look down upon us and
contribute very much to the average Nicobarese's lack of self-esteem.
Government servants need to be sensitized to our way of life and motivated
to serve in our islands.

Right to land and self-governance: All of the land (unless surrendered for
various purposes) traditionally belong to the Nicobarese families. Every
area, inhabited or uninhabited has an owner. We request that our right to
their land is respected and protected. Furthermore, we have their own system
of governance based on elections. Therefore, we desire very much that our
Tribal Councils be recognised as a legal entity and the islands be brought
under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen our traditional
rights and self-governance system.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail. yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

----- Original Message -----
From: OpenSpace
To: invites
Cc: cecilia.kibare@...
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 6:35 AM
Subject: [invites] 16th International Children's Painting Competition - deadline
extended to 15 January 2007


The International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment
is organized annually by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) and the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment
(FGPE), Bayer and Nikon Corporation. It has been held since 1991 and
has received over 170,000 entries from children in over 100 countries.

This year's competition is the sixteenth and will focus on the theme
of Climate Change. Preliminary selection will be done by UNEP
Regional Offices and their partners while the final selection will be
done by the Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, UNEP, Bayer
and Nikon.

The organizers invite children all over the world to submit their
paintings to the UNEP office in their regions. For addresses of these
offices and a world map indicating which region you belong to click
[http://www.unep.org/tunza/paintcomp/Application.asp]

Entries must reach the relevant UNEP regional offices by the 15th of
January 2007 at the latest.
Entries from Asia and the Pacific should be sent to:

**UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Bldg., Rajdamnern Avenue
10th Floor, B-Block
Bangkok 10200, THAILAND
Tel: (66-2) 2881870 Fax: (66-2) 2803829
Email: sarabuddhi@...

Visit the Climate Change page for more information.

We invite children from around the world who will be between the age 6
to 14 years on World > Environment Day (5 June 2007) to participate.
Please visit our website for more details
<http://www.unep.org/tunza/paintcomp/default.asp>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From: TRINet
To: TRINet
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 9:03 AM
Subject: [Network] New on TRINet's website


New on TRINet's website:



TRINet's January 2007 English Newsletter:
http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=35&lid=289



TRINet's January 2007 Tamil Newsletter Alayathi:

http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=38&lid=290



Report on the workshop "Water and Sanitation in Post-tsunami reconstruction:
Understanding Plans, Identifying Solutions" held on December 14, 2006:

http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=52&lid=287





TRINet: Tsunami Rehab Information Network: www.trinet.in



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_______________________________________________
Network mailing list
Network@...
http://inapp.com/mailman/listinfo/network


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

-----
From: TRINet
To: TRINet
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 9:14 PM
Subject: [Network] Weekly News Jan8, 2007




TRINET Weekly News January 8, 2007
This week's news round up is organized under various headings as follows.

TRINet Site Update
TRINet's January 2007 English Newsletter is available at:
http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=35&lid=289


TRINet's January 2007 Tamil Newsletter "Alayathi" is available at:
http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=38&lid=290


The report on the Workshop on Sanitation held on December 14, 2006 is
available at:
http://www.trinet.in/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=52&lid=287


2ND YEAR REPORTS
Habitat For Humanity's Reconstruction Efforts Focus On Housing And Community
Development: Bangkok, 24th December 2006: Habitat for Humanity announced
today that in the two years since the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami, the
organization has assisted nearly 10,000 families with permanent housing.
Habitat has built, repaired and rehabilitated houses with tsunami-affected
families in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. "At the same time that
we have been building houses we have also been building capacity in the
Habitat national organizations in these four countries. A transition process
is under way to our regular programs, and we will continue to work with
communities where poverty is entrenched and housing is often threatened by
earthquakes and cyclones, floods and landslides," said Steve Weir, vice
president for Habitat's Asia-Pacific operations. "By facilitating
development of construction-related businesses as well as providing training
and employment for build sites, we've contributed more to the recovery than
the merely house structures," said Weir. Habitat's community-based disaster
response model encourages participation by village leaders and affected
families.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/habhum/116789492523.htm


Christian Children's Fund completes phase two of tsunami reconstruction
Program: At the second year anniversary, Christian Children's Fund (CCF) has
completed the second phase of a three-year program of recovery and
reconstruction. CCF has collected $19,080,054.68 for tsunami relief,
recovery and reconstruction efforts in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This
includes $11,221,699 million in public contributions and $7,858,355.68
million in grant awards. During the first two years CCF has spent for
tsunami relief and recovery in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, a total of
$12,636,751.62. This expenditure includes: $6,412,365.48 in public
contributions and $6,224,386.14 expenditures in grant funding.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/YAOI-6X6328?OpenDocument


Year two of tsunami recovery: Action by Churches Together (ACT) released a
report summarizing the work of its many member agencies, and many of the
agencies list the re-establishment of people's livelihoods as one of the
major concerns. ACT member agencies such as Lutheran World Relief, Church
World Service-Indonesia, Yakkum Emergency Unit and Norwegian Church Aid are
providing livelihood support. That support includes retraining local workers
in new trades, purchasing boats and fishing supplies, distributing tools and
seeds to farmers, and providing business grants to small entrepreneurs.
These ACT members and others are also training local residents to handle
some of the recovery roles, including counseling and construction. These
agencies work through local partners to address needs in the most efficient
way.
http://www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=3419

GENERAL
Bentley Donation Aids Tsunami Recovery: The American Red Cross announced
that Bentley Systems, a provider of infrastructure lifecycle software, has
donated software and services valued at over $500,000 for the design and
management of infrastructure in areas impacted by the December 2004 tsunami.
This donation supports the design of urban and rural water systems to be
reconstructed as part of the American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Program,
which provides relief and long-term recovery for millions of people and
communities in Indonesia and other tsunami-affected areas. The donated
software, which includes WaterGEMS, SewerCAD and StormCAD from Bentley's
Haestad Methods product line, as well as MicroStation, will assist in the
design of systems that are vital to community health, such as distribution
of clean water and collection of storm and waste water. This software will
provide the Red Cross water and sanitation technical staff with the ability
to optimize the designs of clean water and wastewater disposal systems, both
in terms of cost and materials used.
http://management.cadalyst.com/cadman/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=395764


Church Workers Seek Ways To Give Tsunami Survivors New Direction: Colachel,
India -- Church workers engaged in tsunami rehabilitation in southern India
say their biggest challenge is to revive the survivors' dignity and
self-confidence. "The fishing community has lost its self-respect," says
Father Maria Soosa, who coordinates tsunami rehabilitation for Kottar
diocese in Tamil Nadu state. The major challenge for Church relief workers
is to reorient the survivors, says Father Soosa. Earlier the coastal people
were proud of their ability to earn a living. "Now they want everything
free," the priest told UCA News. Sister Mercy Palatty, who heads the
Kanniyakumari unit of the Voluntary Health Association of India, agrees with
the priest. The tsunami "has weakened many psychologically," the Holy Cross
nun told UCA News.
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5371

FINANCE
French watchdog says reallocate excess tsunami aid: Nearly half of French
donations for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami remained unspent 12 months
ago and should be allocated to other charitable causes, France's top
watchdog on public spending said on Wednesday. The Cour des Comptes' report
found that nearly half of 323 million euros (218.3 million pounds) aid
gathered from public and private donors had not been used by December 31,
2005. It explained the unspent funds on the sheer volume of donations to
non-government organisations. "The problem generally met by the NGOs was not
a problem of financing projects, it was a problem of using abundant, even
overabundant resources," the report said. "The organisations spent little
during the emergency phase, they later met numerous difficulties in
implementing their reconstruction and redevelopment projects," it said. The
Cour des Comptes said the level of unspent French funds, at 149.6 million
euros, was "not abnormal" given the mass of donations but it said money
could be used for other purposes.
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=tsunamiNews&storyID=2007-0\
1-03T160854Z_01_L03144043_RTRUKOC_0_UK-FRANCE-TSUNAMI.xml


U.N. envoy says officials working to deter and uncover tsunami aid
corruption: Washington: The United Nations deputy envoy for Asian tsunami
rebuilding efforts said Thursday that officials are working to deter and
uncover corruption associated with the billions of dollars (euros)
international donors have pledged to people hurt by the 2004 disaster. Eric
Schwartz, deputy to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the top U.N. envoy
for tsunami recovery, said anti-corruption measures include databases
designed to track financial contributions and to make that information
available on the Internet. Cooperation with some countries has been very
good, while in other nations it has been "much more slow going because of
the complexities. But, nonetheless, serious effort has been made," Schwartz
told reporters at the National Press Club.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/04/america/NA_GEN_US_Tsunami_Aid_Corrupti\
on.php


GIO-initiated relief fund shows results in tsunami-hit nations: Cheng
Wen-tsang, head of the Government Information Office, said on Tuesday at a
press conference that the "Hope for Tomorrow, Love from Taiwan" care and
assistance program carried out by the GIO is nearly 60 percent complete, and
that the entire program should be fully executed by September 30, 2008.
Cheng stressed that the GIO has cooperated with four NGOs, namely the Tzu
Chi Foundation, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, World Vision
Taiwan, and the Child Welfare League Foundation, in providing assistance and
aid to people in need. The funds were accumulated in a massive fund-raising
campaign following the devastating tsunami that ravaged South Asian nations
in late 2004.
http://english.www.gov.tw/e-Gov/index.jsp?categid=176&recordid=102927


U.S. Activity Update on Tsunami Reconstruction: Deputy Assistant
Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),
spoke at a 'tsunami relief and recovery' update briefing at the National
Press Club. The purpose of the event was to provide an update on
reconstruction activities in the region in recognition of the second
anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami. In the two years since the tsunami,
much work has been done to rebuild lives and livelihoods and U.S. government
assistance has totaled more than $840 million in this effort. In addition,
U.S. charitable donations have exceeded $1.8 billion, according to the
Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.     As a result of this
generosity, the U.S. is working with the affected regions to rebuild
infrastructure, provide jobs and training (particularly for women),
strengthen communities and local governments, and develop early warning
systems and effective disaster response programs.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-04-200\
7/0004500170&EDATE=

TSUNAMI WARNING
Scientists Propose Changing Tsunami Alerts: Scientists at the Pacific
Tsunami Warning Center want to loosen the requirements for issuing tsunami
warnings when earthquakes hit near the Hawaiian Islands. The proposal calls
for issuing a local tsunami alert for temblors as small as magnitude 6.7,
said Victor Sardina, a geophysicist at the center, located in Ewa Beach.
Currently, the warning criteria call for tsunami alerts for earthquakes that
are magnitude 6.9 or greater. As a result, there could be more tsunami
warnings and evacuations of coastal areas following earthquakes, Sardina
said. "On one hand, you don't want to scare the public unnecessarily, but on
the other hand, you don't want to miss something that could be significant,"
Sardina said Tuesday. "You want to go with the most conservative approach."
http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/Scientists-Pitch-Changing-Tsunami-Alerts/stor\
y.xhtml?story_id=00300061ZSZL

LIVELIHOODS
'Beedi' comes to rescue for tsunami affected Tamil Nadu village:
Idinthakarai village (TN), Jan. 3: Two years after the killer tsunami hit
the coasts, the story of Idinthakarai, a village on the eastern coast of
Tirunalveli District in Tamil Nadu, is a different one. Even though the
'deadly wave' incurred heavy loss to the entire village, the community was
able to withstand the losses, thanks to the beedi industry. The beedi
industry has given the villagers economic security and livelihood at the
time of crisis. The beedi rolling, an avatar of desi cigarette, made of
natural leaves and tobacco, has helped greatly these villagers, who were
earlier depended on fishing. They have now stooped depending on the fish
catch and have switched on to beedi rolling, which has emerged out as a new
subsistence occupation for them.
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/99351.php/Beedi-comes-to-rescue-for-tsunami-affec\
ted-Tamil-Nadu-village


CARI trng. to benefit farmers: Port Blair, Jan 02  A five-day training
programme on ornamental fish rearing and floriculture is being jointly
organized by CARI and Care India (NGO). The training which is organized
under the 'Livelihood promotion through agriculture and allied sector for
SHGs in bay islands' got underway today with its inauguration by the
Director, CARI, Dr. R C Srivastava. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Srivastava
stressed on the importance of innovative training programme for the
upliftment of farmers, affected by tsunami.
http://www.and.nic.in/wednesday.htm

HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Maximum `ECOSAN' toilets for fishing village: Nagapattinam: Kameshwaram, a
tsunami-hit fishing village, has the distinction of getting the maximum
number of `ECOSAN' compost toilets in the country with the opening of 100th
Household Centered Environment Sanitation Toilete (HCEST) here on Saturday.
As many as 100 toilets were constructed by Society for Community
Organisation and Peoples Education (SCOPE) of Tiruchi, a pioneer in the
field of ECOSAN compost toilet in the country. M. Subburaman, Director of
SCOPE, said that toilets each costing of Rs. 7,000 were built with financial
assistance from Nagapattinam District Rural Development Agency (DRDA),
UNICEF, and Friends-in-Need, an NGO from France. The toilets were considered
a good model for high water table sandy coastal areas where conventional
ones could not function well.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/07/stories/2007010714450300.htm


Fire destroys 159 temporary shelters: Nagapattinam: As many as 159 tsunami
temporary shelters out of 217 near MGR Nagar here were destroyed in a fire
on Sunday night. Fire service tenders from Nagapattinam, Tharangampadi and
Kilvelur put out the fire after nearly two hours. The cause of the fire is
said to be a spark from an oven in one of the shelters. Casual workers and
their families, staying in the temporary shelters, were provided shelter in
a marriage hall in the town. Minister for Dairy Development U. Mathivanan
and Nagapattinam Collector Tenkasi S. Jawahar rushed to the spot. All
affected families were given Rs.2000 in cash, 10 kgs of rice, a dhoti and
sari set and kerosene.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/02/stories/2007010206420400.htm


Over 4,000 houses for tsunami victims this month: Nagapattinam: Several
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have speeded up construction of
permanent houses for tsunami victims in Nagapattinam district following
instructions from the district administration to complete the construction
as early as possible. Collector Tenkasi S. Jawahar said on Wednesday that
nearly 4,000 houses would be ready and handed over to the beneficiaries by
the month-end. So far, 2,000 houses had been constructed by NGOs and handed
over to the victims. The target was 18,634.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/04/stories/2007010405460400.htm


Wooster Nagar thanks Wooster, Ohio, for contributions to village: An
inauguration ceremony for the tsunami rehabilitation project funded by
Wooster citizens was held Wednesday. While most of the city of Wooster,
Ohio, was still sleeping, it was a bustling morning here, where villagers
dressed in their finest clothes and lighted ceremonial lamps in their new
homes to bless the occasion. After the tsunamis, the 26 poorest families of
Pudupattinam in the state of Tamil Nadu got together, using their remaining
possessions to buy a tract of land located a couple of miles away from the
ocean where they believe they are safer from the waves. The land is within
walking distance of the backwater estuaries where they fish using nets.
Wooster community members contributed about $100,000 for the rehabilitation
and reconstruction of Pudupattinam, every dollar of which went directly
toward relief efforts. The donors ranged from major companies and
foundations to schoolchildren. Local government officials as well as the
United States Consul General of India David Hopper attended the ceremony.
Hopper applauded the generosity of "private citizens" in the U.S., who far
exceeded the U.S. government's official donations to tsunami relief in
India. Hopper made an effort to inform the villagers about the positive
initiatives of the U.S. government and its citizens despite the negative
images sometimes portrayed in the global media.
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/1436991


3 lakh houses for tsunami-hit in TN: Madurai, Jan 4: The Tamil Nadu
government was confident of getting permission for constructing housing
colonies for fisherfolk within 1,000 metres from the sea, Minister for
Housing and Town Planning, Suba Thangavelan, said today. Speaking to
reporters here, he said if it received permission from the Environment
Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India, then more houses could be
constructed for the tsunami-affected. A total of three lakh houses would be
built for the tsunami-hit in the state.
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BE4F0DBF5-0F19-44FC-A\
5B2-C7DD0F285C30%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Chennai


"Speed up port development works": Nagapattinam: M.P. Saminathan, Minister
for Highways and Minor Ports, on Thursday, instructed the officials to speed
up tsunami reconstruction works taken up at the Nagapattinam Port. The works
were started on an estimate of Rs. 50.52 crore with assistance from Asian
Development Bank. The Minister also reviewed the progress of several works
relating to Highways Department. Tenkasi S. Jawahar, Collector, K. Alauddin,
Secretary, Highways Department, P.R. Sampath, Chief Executive Officer of
Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and Chief Engineers of State and National Highways
at the Collectorate were also present. Talking to mediapersons, Mr.
Saminathan said that the first phase of tsunami reconstruction works at the
port, including construction of five cargo buildings and strengthening of
north and south breakwater with natural stones at a cost of Rs.10 crore was
nearing completion. The second phase of work at a cost of Rs.20 crore would
be taken up shortly.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/06/stories/2007010609070300.htm


"Poverty is not a hurdle for pursuing education": Nagapattinam: Poverty is
not an obstacle for education, if there is determination and will power to
pursue the same, District Education Officer S.K. Viswanathan has said. He
was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the construction of
additional buildings of a school at Vettaikaraniruppu in Keezhaiyur block on
Saturday.The buildings are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh by
People's Development Association (PDA), a Madurai-based non-governmental
organisation. Joe Velu, PDA director, said that the association undertook a
project to construct additional buildings for 11 schools in 10 tsunami-hit
villages, of which buildings for four schools had already been completed.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/07/stories/2007010714480300.htm


India: Two years and still waiting: Déjà vu. Not a word or sentiment or
experience one would associate with resettlement sites. Definitely not with
rehabilitation. But as I walk into the Akkaraipettai temporary shelter for
tsunami survivors in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, I feel I have seen it all
before. Because I have. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed for the
better, I should say. Because the shelter is sadly, even worse than when I
first visited it in June 2005. When I was here in January 2006, I reeled in
disbelief that a temporary shelter could exist, could be permitted to exist,
for an entire year. And now, two years later, to see over 400 families
cramped together in decaying tar sheet sheds, worn out with severe monsoons,
strong summers and perennial humidity, I have no words to describe my
chagrin, my dismay, my anger. Two years later, they are still called
"temporary shelters." How temporary can two years be? How long can two years
feel? Ask anyone in the shelter. But is anyone asking? Moreover, is anyone
listening?
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/AMMF-6X5FGA?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=\
TS-2004-000147-LKA

INDONESIA
Many homes built after tsunami require repairs: Banda Aceh. A quarter of the
50,000 homes built for victims of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia's Aceh
province are of questionable quality and many will have to be rebuilt,
according to the leader of a team monitoring house construction. The warning
comes as concerns mount that thousands of houses are likely to need
significant repair within a few years because of the rampant use of illegal
and inadequately prepared wood. A network of 40 organizations monitoring the
timber used in reconstruction estimates that 70% of it is illegal and much
of it not prepared well enough to last 12 months, let alone the 10-year
minimum under guidelines set by the government's Agency for the
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh and Nias. The assessment of
housing construction quality is based on a survey being compiled by United
Nations-Habitat and Universitas Syiah Kuala in Banda Aceh, which are
evaluating 161 locations across the province.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-ft-aceh1jan01,1,1203724.story?coll=la-headlin\
es-business&ctrack=1&cset=true


Keys to success in Lamno - A housing handover ceremony in Aceh Province: On
August 14, Usman accepted the keys to a new seismically resistant home
constructed by CHF International as part of a house-handover ceremony held
in Meunasa Teutong. Usman's house is among several hundred new homes that
CHF is handing over this summer and early fall, many situated along Aceh's
western coastal road that is being constructed by USAID, the principal
funding partner for CHF's housing reconstruction program. CHF's permanent
36m2 houses are built following Indonesian government guidelines, including
a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. Construction is based
principally on the use of reinforced concrete and brick and each house is
outfitted with a well, septic tank and hook-ups for eventual electricity and
municipal water supply.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-6X4M5M?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=\
TS-2004-000147-LKA

SRI LANKA
Pathology supplies donated to tsunami hit maternity clinic: A maternity
clinic in the tsunami devastated area of Kalutara in Sri Lanka is set to
benefit from a donation of laboratory equipment and supplies as a part of a
new Challenge Anneka project. The donation of glass slide jars with lids and
diamond pencils to mark pathology slides will help to ensure the Magalkunda
Maternity Clinic, which is being rebuilt, after suffering structural damage
during the Asian Tsunami in 2004, can continue to provide ante- and
post-natal care to more than 2,500 families in the region.
http://www.mlwmagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=201&storyCode=2041204


Sarvodaya's new tourism initiative through the community: Sarvodaya has
launched a Community Tourism Initiative (CTI) to develop sustainable
livelihoods and build capacity in village communities by sharing natural
resources, village culture. A Sarvodaya press release said community -based
tourism is a growing market, as new generations of travelers worldwide seek
more meaningful experiences from their leisure time. Traditional beach and
site-seeing tourism is vital to Sri Lanka's economy but it does not always
benefit and engage the communities which surround the hotels. The CTI is
designed to empower, engage and financially sustain village communities
without compromising their traditions, values and way of life. Under this,
the villages run each project themselves with assistance in development,
training and marketing from the CTI. Any surplus income from CTI projects
goes directly to support the capacity-building activities of the village
itself with 15% going to support Sarvodaya's work in poverty alleviation and
peace throughout Sri Lanka.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070107/FinancialTimes/ft332.html

THAILAND
Thai tsunami victims' DNA may unlock stress disorder mystery: Thai
scientists have collected blood and DNA samples from 3,000 villagers from
six tsunami-hit Thai provinces to help identify which genes are associated
with post-traumatic stress disorder. Verayuth Praphanphoj, director of the
government's Centre for Medical Genetics Research, said it was a unique
opportunity to try to determine why people with a shared traumatic
experience reacted differently. "It is a great chance for doing this
research, because it is difficult to find a large amount of people who have
suffered in the same environment," he told AFP on Thursday. Verayuth said he
believed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was caused by a combination
of genes and environment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070104/sc_afp/asiaquakethailandsciencegenetics


Tsunami lessons not learned: Among the places devastated by the 2004
tsunami, Thailand's provinces on the Andaman coast are among those areas
that have made a most remarkable recovery. The tourism industry in Phuket
has rebounded, with the last traces of the catastrophic deluge on Patong,
Kamala, Kata and Karon beaches replaced by luxury hotels and resorts.
Unfortunately, city and town planning does not rank high on Thai local
authorities' agendas, as the safety zones and escape routes that were
planned in the event of future disasters have apparently been forgotten.
After the giant waves hit, local residents and government agencies appeared
to attach great importance to the need to put in place disaster prevention
and mitigation measures along with safety standards. A set of guidelines has
been drawn up that require, among other things, a 30-metre buffer area from
the shoreline at the high-tide mark. This buffer zone must be free from all
structures to enable people to make a quick escape in the event of another
tsunami. But these precautionary measures have been abandoned as booths
selling food and souvenirs have sprung up everywhere. Even the plan to build
evacuation routes has been compromised, if not totally abandoned.
http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/07/opinion/opinion_30023460.php

Stage set for inauguration of Island Tourism Festival today
THE DAILY TELEGRAMS, January 8, 2007

Port Blair, Jan 07
    All is set for the grand inauguration of Island Tourism Festival
(ITF)-2007 popularly known as 'Dweep Mahotsav' at the sprawling ITF ground
on VIP road tomorrow (Jan 8). The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Bhopinder
Singh will inaugurate the much awaited event at 6.30 pm. Besides addresses
by the dignitaries, cultural programmes comprising folk dances of different
States by the artistes from mainland and the islands will also form part of
the inaugural ceremony.
    Various Departments under the Administration have put up their stalls
showcasing the development taking place in these islands with special
emphasis on promotion of tourism. Besides the govt. stall the private
entrepreneurs have also put their stalls in the second circle, while the
stalls put up in the third circle would serve delicacies to the visitors
witnessing the Island Tourism Festival.
    The 14-day Carnival will also include cultural programmes which will be
presented by the artistes from South Zone Cultural Centre, Eastern Zonal
Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Song and Drama Division Kolkata and local cultural
groups. These cultural groups will entertain the islanders at different
venues earmarked i.e ITF ground, Dr. B R Ambedkar auditorium, Amphitheatre
Anarkali and Bhatubasti as usual on daily basis till its valediction on
January 21, 2007.
    As usual, the cultural programme by the artistes from mainland will also
be held at outer islands also. The programmes will be held at Baratang,
Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Neil, Havelock, Hut Bay and Car Nicobar.
    The cultural bonanza will also include musical nites by star performers.
Like every year, this year also the main attraction of the ITF will be the
Hasya Kavi Samelan. This time, the kavi sammelan will be held at ITF ground
at 6.30 pm on January 9, while it will be held at Dr. B R Ambedkar
auditorium at 6.30 pm on January 10 for invited guests. The events like dog
show, flower show, baby show etc are among the other events to be held
during the ITF.

Information KIOSKS installed at Airport
THE DAILY TELEGRAMS
Port Blair, Jan 05
    Moving a step ahead towards it's initiative for placing information
KIOSKS in several vantage points of the city, LRC-CEFI has installed it's
second Information KIOSK at Tourist Information Counter of the Directorate
of Tourism located at Veer Savarkar Domestic Airport.
    A MoU was signed with Directorate of Tourism for putting the KIOSK at
Directorate of Tourism's counter at arrival lounge of the Airport. After
regular follow up, finally LRC got the clearance from Airport Authorities.
On Dec 22, 2006, in the presence of the staff of Directorate of Tourism,
Airport Authorities and members of LRC-CEFI, the KIOSK was installed.
LRC-CEFI also arranged training related to teaching staff of Directorate of
Tourism on operation of KIOSK.
    The KIOSK aims at disseminating information about the A&N Islands which
includes emerald islands its history, Geology, Culture & People
Administration, Government, Panchayat, Tribal Council, Government Contracts,
Tourists, Heritage, Adventure, Do's & Don'ts; Investors, Government's
Schemes, & Livelihood: different Livelihood Schemes. For seeking information
one can call on Toll Free No.18003453200 at Info Line Call Centre, LRC, a
communication received here said.

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Issue: 02 :: 6 Jan 2006*
*Incred!ble Andamans*
Sans Water, Shelter or Transport



*The islands brace for a largesse tourist attack with increase in airlines
at competitive fares, but are we ready for it?*

* *

*By Govinda Raju*



Port Blair: The tourism department of Andaman and Nicobar Administration has
retained five top-notch advertising agencies; JWT, O&M, MAA Bozell, RK Swamy
and Span Communication to launch an advertising blitzkrieg to attract
high-end tourist to Destination Andamans at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore for four
months — December 2006 to March 2007. It's keeping its 2007-08 budget at Rs
6-7 crore.

In contrast to the Port Blair Municipal Council press notices greeting the
New Year with the curtailment of half-an hour water supply per day from
alternate day to thrice a week, or after every two days.

On certain days at 5.00 am the Phoenix Bay Jetty looks like railway platform
of Howrah station. Over one thousand people would be seen struggling to
latch on to a boat sailing for Havelock. Phoenix Bay jetty is the  hub of
the inter-island ferry services. Thee is neither any toilet, nor any
arrangements for drinking water.

A look at Middle Strait shows a hundred Omnis lined up waiting for the
vehicle ferry to move on to the new Mecca of the eager tourist; Baratang. A
look around the Baratang Island would reveal that the resources there are
bursting through the seams to handles tourists in thousands. There are
simply not enough eateries, lodges and transport to cater to the burgeoning
demand.

The convoy system is another hindrance. The planning commission mandarins do
not understand that the staggered hours are counter productive. A hundred
Omnis stand lined up awaiting the ferry. The tourists get enough time and
opportunities to move about and mingle with the Jarawas. Young Jarawa boys
and girls could be seen at Middle Strait at any given point in time. The
very purpose of the convoy system is defeated.

The hotels and lodges in Port Blair do not have enough rooms to accommodate
the steady stream of tourists disembarking every day. Tour operators dupe
the visitors at every step. Those booked at Rs 4,500 a day are taken to a
Rs-200-a-day bedbug-infested dingy room. The poor tourist has no avenue to
complain.

Private residences are fast turning into makeshift lodging houses even
before the bureaucratic red tape could finalise the norms for taking paying
guests.

The deluge is not thanks to the advertising blitzkrieg of the
administration, but is solely because of the increased number of airlines
and reduced fares in a competitive market.

Nobody objected to the multi-crore advertising campaign. Everyone welcomes
the fullest exploitation of the resources to bring prosperity to the
islands. But before launching the campaign did the administration assess how
it planned to cope with the inflow of tourists. About their accommodation,
transport and the most basic requirement: water? Apparently not.


The Andaman Lifeline



*The waterways are the only mode of commuting between islands, but the
administration's vindictiveness toward private entrepreneurs trying to
improve this mode is curbing possible growth, while at the same time the
administration doesn't realize the importance of their involvement. *



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: The Watercraft— be it boat, ship or a dinghy— is the lifeline of
an island system. It is not only the lifeline for the people of the islands
but also the sole link connecting tourists to the various islands open for
this purpose.

Havelock is a hotspot on the tourist map of the islands. But they have to go
through hell to reach there despite the shipping department having provided
extra boats. The vessels that ply between Port Blair and Havelock can take
75 passengers each. The number of tourists eager to go to Havelock far
exceeds that number. Apart from that there are the local residents of
Havelock who have to come to Port Blair for various reasons.

MV Ramanujam and MV Dering are vessels that take 400 passengers at a time.
Both are operated and maintained by the Shipping Corporation of India . MV
Ramanujam was in dock for four months and it will take a few more months to
be inducted into the fleet. MV Dering was cooling its heels for
one-and-a-half months and recently wet into dry-dock. Its fate is unknown.
The administration has no control over these vessels' operation and
maintenance even though it foots the bill – the entire expenses. The
Shipping Corporation does not accord any priority to the demands of the
administration.

Everyone knows when the tourist season starts and when there would be
pressing demand for more capacity. In spite of that there is no long term
planning to ensure that the vessels are ready for service when the demand is
at its peaks.

Lack of capacity to ferry the tourists to Havelock creates a piquant
situation for the tour operators who put the island in their itinerary.
Speaking to this reporter a tour operator said, "we are prepared to pay Rs
500-600 for the return ticket per head. The tourists are prepared to bear
it. But there are just not enough vessels."

A private entrepreneur of considerable resources was willing to put up
vessels in the Port Blair-Havelock route with Rs 500 per return ticket with
breakfast on the house. But he said he would not do it. "People like me have
burnt their fingers in the past. I don't want to repeat that folly," he
continued. He cited the example of the owners of Hotel Shompen who had
started a ferry between Wandoor and Jolly Buoy when that island was thrown
open. The rate they charged was Rs 75 per head. Till then the shipping
department did not have any vessel for tourism purposes. Within a fortnight
of the commencement of the private ferry, the shipping department managed a
boat to spare and started a ferry to Jolly Buoy at Rs 25 per head.
Naturally, the private operator folded up.

"The administration becomes vindictive towards private enterprise once it
competes with its departments," concluded the entrepreneur.


Tourism explosion boomerangs
on Islanders Tourism boom in the Islands have made life hard for the
Islanders, due to severe scarcity of essential goods like LPG in North and
Middle Andaman, price hike and blackmarketing of boat tickets



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: The booming tourism trade has started pinching the islanders in
many ways. Sudden rush of people has made everything in the market dearer.
The hotels and restaurants serve poor quality meals at enhanced prices and
the local people who depend on these establishments for their daily meals
have to suffer the consequences.

People of Havelock find it difficult to obtain tickets for returning home at
the legitimate prices. A mafia has grown around the ticket counter that
corners all the tickets. After issuing five-six tickets the voice behind the
counter says "there are no more tickets". At the same time people can be
seen selling ticket at exorbitant rates. These people buy tickets against
islanders' certificate and black market it. Police constables on duty just
look the other way since they too are suitably covered in the racket,
according to reports.

The convoy system along the Andaman Trunk Road adds its own bit of misery on
the people of Middle & North Andaman. All the items of daily consumption are
transported by road nowadays, including ration articles, LPG and kerosene
oil. Trucks get the lowest priority in the convoy system. It has two convoys
at 7.30AM and 11.30AM to Diglipur. Return convoys for trucks are at 9.30AMand
3.30PM towards Port Blair. If a truck is late by five minutes, it has to
wait for the next convoy. Even in vehicle ferries, it has the lowest
priority. As a result the turnover time for a truck goes upto three to four
days causing huge financial losses to the consignees.

It also causes shortages and man made scarcities in Middle and North
Andaman. People wait for LPG truck in a queue till midnight, according to
reports. On a particular day last week there was no mineral water in
Baratang. Unscrupulous traders indulge in profiteering too.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior officer confided that there was
nothing that the administration could do to ease the situation on the ATR.
The Planning Commission and several NGOs were breathing down the neck of the
administration to close down the ATR. If any attempt was made to increase
the frequency to ease the movement of tourists or cargo, both of them would
come down like a ton of bricks. In his opinion, if the tourist traffic could
be diverted through the sea route to Baratang, it would ease the situation
for other users of ATR.

However, an expert on shipping matters dismissed the idea as impractical.
"It would need a bold decision on the part of the administration to open up
the inter-island services to private sector and that too in a clearly
defined way so that once it is introduced; the shipping department would not
play a spoilsport.


Conserving Environment to Promote Tourism



*By M.A. Haque*



On account of environmental variations, India supports variety of habitats
and associated flora and fauna.   These habitats and associated plants and
animals play important role in attracting tourists. There is great deal of
variety with respect to environmental conditions in the country. Western
Ghats receives about 2000 mm average rain, while certain areas of Rajasthan,
Gujarat and Ladakh receive only about 100 mm of rain every year. World's
rainiest place is in Meghalaya. Temperature also varies extensively from one
region to another. As a result, a wide spectrum of habitats exists in India.
Certain areas have tropical rainforests while others support alpine type of
vegetation. Still other areas support temperate or another type of forest.
In addition, there are extensive grasslands, wetlands, rivers, estuaries,
reservoirs etc. Also, large area is occupied by deserts, hot deserts in
Rajasthan and Gujarat while Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh have unique cold
deserts.

As many as 3.88 million foreign tourist arrivals took place till November
this year recording a 12.9 per cent increase over the last year. Foreign
exchange earning of Rs 25,934 crore was made showing growth of 16.9 per cent
over the last year. Still, India receives only about 0.4 % of global
tourists. This is a matter of concern for people associated with tourism.
But there is a section of people, which considers it to be a 'boon in
disguise'. This group consists of those who are concerned about
conservation. Their concern is that even with small number of tourists and
visitors, our heritage and natural wealth are not safe. If the number grows,
the problem will multiply. Let us look at some of the arguments they have
against tourism and travel.

Unhealthy practices

To boost their income, organizations, institutions and individuals
associated with tourism and travel activities encourage or allow activities
that are detrimental. For example, every tourist or visitor going to the
forest, National Park or Sanctuary is interested in viewing the wildlife.
But the problem starts when their choice becomes very limited. Everyone
considers it essential to see animals like tiger, lion, elephant or leopard.
These are large animals and their number is always small in any forest.
Reasons are obvious. Tiger, leopard etc. are carnivorous. Being at the top
of the food chain, their number cannot grow beyond a limit. In case of
elephant, it is the size of the animal and its huge food and space
requirement that do not allow the number to grow beyond a limit. This is the
reason that there is no guarantee that these can be sighted by visitors in a
day or two. Visitors compare their visit with the films that they see on TV.
They want to get opportunity to see the animals in similar fashion, moving,
hunting, playing, and mating. But they rarely realize that the film crew
camps for weeks together to shoot and even then there is no guarantee of
success. Occasional tourists compare their visit with TV shows and
pressurize the management and often bribe the lower staff to view the
animals from close. For any tourist destination it is vital that they get
adequate number of visitors to sustain the facilities there. Hence, at times
the authorities indulge in practices which are not healthy. For example,
animals are tracked and once they are spotted, visitors are sent to the
location.   Earlier, baits were also offered to the animals to attract them
to a particular spot and visitors were kept there. It is claimed by
activists that when some VIPs visit a National Park or Sanctuary, a modified
version of offering bait is practiced to ensure that they see the animals.

These activities lead to interference in the normal life of wild animals.
Their feeding habits, hunting habits, sexual life etc. get affected. Also,
by nature, the wild animals are shy and they do not like to come in contact
with human being. On account of their forced exposure to visitors, their
behaviour changes and they may not remain shy to humans and   they may
attack people if they get opportunity.

Unsupportive Infrastructure

  Tourists, who can afford high cost, generally demand high standard
facilities. Even when they are in a forest or in a small town, they expect
modern facilities. There are two alternatives. Either the management
provides them the facilities or they have to face the risk of not receiving
such tourists. The tour managers generally prefer the first option. This is
the reason that we find star hotels, modern guesthouses with AC, TV,
telephone etc. in small towns and even inside or close to forest areas. As
such, there is not much problem on account of these facilities being there.
But these facilities change the landscape, adversely affect the normal life
of local population and also create a barrier between the local population
and the visitors. Visitors do not get opportunity to interact with local
population and experience the customs, rituals, lifestyle etc. of the local
population.   Thus, one of the objectives of travel and tourism is defeated.
When such facilities are created in forest or in the vicinity they exert
serious impact on the environment and wildlife of the area. Lifestyle in
high class hotels, guest houses etc. is totally different from the lifestyle
in small towns, villages, and more so in and around forest areas. For
example, consumption of electricity, water and other resources are more.
Generation of waste is also more and the nature of waste is different as
most materials are from outside. Use of disposables made of
non-biodegradable materials, high power detergents and other chemicals
multiply. Obviously, the infrastructure at those locations is not geared to
deal with such wastes. As a result wastes accumulate and degrade the
environment.

Threat to Biodiversity

Quite often visitors to biodiversity rich areas collect plants, plant parts,
small animals. They also purchase rare plants, animal skin, bone, teeth,
ivory, coral, or items made of these materials. As a result there is
encouragement to poaching, hunting and illegal collection of these
materials. Obviously, it is against the basic principle of conservation. In
the north- east it is common to find rare orchids and other endemic plants
being sold on roadside. Tourists and visitors buy them to carry. Most of
these plants die soon as the conditions in places where they are carried are
different. Similarly, in coastal areas rare fishes, animals, corals etc. are
sold to visitors and tourists causing threat to the biodiversity of the
area. At times poachers and hunters enter the forest as tourists and
visitors.

Responsible Tourism

  Solution lies in ecotourism. 'Ecological' has double purpose i.e.
environmental as well as social. The term "Ecotourism" has been defined by
the International Ecotourism Society as "responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".
Ecotourism is supposed to satisfy certain criteria. In essence, it involves
everything which can sustain tourism without creating problems for the
people, places and environment. If we plan to have long term benefits from
tourism, we must adopt Ecotourism in its real spirit.


Editorial: After ATR What?



The Great Andaman Trunk Road was constructed over the dead bodies of the
APWD mazdoors, the Jarawas and the bush police personnel. Unfortunately for
everyone now involved in ATR; whether for or against, in any capacity, the
full implication of such a road had not downed on them. It took quite
sometime for the impact of the road on the lives of the Jarawas nay, their
very survival to surface. There again the revelation came in very small
doses.

By then, the people had grown used to it. It had become an integral part of
their lives. Under growing attack and a series of court cases culminating in
the Supreme Court order of 2002, it reached a stage where its closer became
imminent.

The road is mired in controversy, a very serious one at that. The
administration is hell bent to save it. The Planning Commission and the
tribal rights activists are equally serious to close it. In the meantime the
Jarawas have gone through a churning. They have acquired all, almost all,
the vices of civilization. They have taken to eating rice and dal, taking
tobacco and gutka and maybe even submitting to sexual exploitation whether
by choice or due to allurement. They too have gone too far.

The irony is: nobody knows how to save the tribe. Nobody is sure closing the
ATR would save them. Yet they have to maintain the position. If the tribal
civilization disintegrates even after closing the road, it is nobody's loss;
except the islanders. Barring a few, the tribal rights activists don't
belong to the islands.

But it is not easy to take a position against it too. After all, we are
talking of human beings to whom these islands belong in the first place.
They have the first claim over the islands.

On the one hand, the Planning Commission imposes restrictions on the use of
the road and on the other it sanctions funds to turn the same road to National
Highway.

Torn between the conflicting interests, the fate of the ATR could safely be
termed 'uncertain'. The uncertainty might end in a sudden and final order to
close it. That is not an improbability.

Are we prepared to face the consequences of such a closure? Or we shall be
groping in the dark for a miracle to deliver us?

We have emphasised time and again that the water transport has to be
lifeline of an island system. It is cheaper, faster and safer for all
concerned. XIth 5-year plan commences April next. Numerous vessels would be
purchased. In the past, serious mistakes were committed in approving
inappropriate designs that fail to deliver in our local conditions. It's
time lessons are learnt and mistakes rectified.

Local masters and engineers can provide invaluable inputs to arrive at the
type of vessels that suite the local requirement.

ATR or no ATR, the vessels acquired are not going to go waste. It would only
bring cheers to the beleaguered people of the islands.


BJP demands CBI probe into relief scam Is the A&N administration's
indifference in the past two years finally catching up to them? The BJP is
hell-bent on getting to the bottom of allegations of corruption and
inefficiency in handling the relief and rehabilitation process in the
islands



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: Vishal Jolly, 34-year-old newly elected president of the A&N
Sate Committee of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is clear on his stand
regarding tsunami relief and rehabilitation. He said his party would be
demanding a CBI probe into the alleged corrupt practices indulged in by the
officers of the administration in providing relief and rehabilitation to the
tsunami victims. He was addressing a press conference in the state
headquarters of the party.

The press conference was called to inform the media about the completion of
the election process as all the committees were nominated. The district
committees would now be constituted. He also shared his interaction with the
senior leaders of the party at the National Executive Meeting where he
placed the problems and issues of the islands before the national leaders.

He said that the party was dismayed at the indifference of the
administration towards those farmers whose agricultural lands were submerged
in South Andaman. "In spite of our repeated demands, the administration
maintained a studied silence over the issue of the South Andaman farmers;
whether they would be provided alternate land or compensation for the land,"
he stated. "The administration has no inclination to solve this problem," he
added.

The farmers were provided tools and equipments like spades, crow bars, water
pumps and power tillers. "What would they do with those tools and equipments
when their land is submerged?" he questioned. He also alleged that organic
manure, that has a useful life of three months, was dumped into the
submerged fields without even telling the farmers. "Rs 34 crore were dumped
into saline water against the advice of M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation. The foundation was paid Rs 10 lakh for the work. A complete
waste as none of the recommendations were followed," said Jolly.

There were many such issues relating to the tsunami victims who have not
received consideration from the administration — traders who lost their
entire businesses, fishermen who have started getting bank notices, those
who constructed houses out of bank loans. The BJP has decided to take up
such cases in right earnest, according to Jolly.

In his statement to the press, Jolly said that his party would soon be
launching territory wide agitation demanding justice for all those who have
been ignored by the administration this far.

Jolly confirmed the need of a CBI probe stating that the matter had already
been raised before the National Executive, and the senior leaders too will
be pursuing the matter. At the local level, an agitation will be launched
with a CBI probe into the malpractices indulged by the officials as one of
the demands.

As for the party's vision for the islands 30 years down the line, Jolly
said, "We want to see the islands as a proud and economically self-reliant
territory. And we must contribute to the national exchequer." However, he
fumbled for words when a scribe asked him that his party excels on demanding
more and more from the centre!"


New Lt. Governor takes over *Nothing will be imposed from above –
Bhopinder Singh*



*The new Lieutenant Governor is bringing in a new stream of promises, with a
stress on speedy groundwork rather than operating from within the office
alone.*



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM was administered the
oath of office and secrecy for the office of the Lt. Governor and
Administrator on December 29, 2006 at 11.45 am in an impressive function
held in the lawns of Raj Niwas. Justice V.S. Sarpurkar, Chief Justice of
Calcutta High Court administered the oath of office.

The function was attended by the senior officers of the administration,
Central Government departments and defence establishment. Members of the
municipality and the PRIs were also present in good strength. Both the
present and the former Members of Parliament also graced the occasion.

Bhopinder Singh was born in Allahabad on March 20, 1946 in a family of
soldiers. His father was a Brigadier in the India Army. He had put in 41
years of service in the Indian Army and retired in the year 2006. He visited
many foreign countries under various assignments. He was also in
Ethiopiawith the Indian contingent of UN Peace Keeping Force. He was
the Defence
Secretary to President K.R. Narayanan. During that period he had accompanied
the President on his brief vacation in these islands. He is now settled in
Chandigarh.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons in the evening at Raj Niwas, Lt.
Governor Bhopinder Singh listed out his priorities. Speedy implementation of
tsunami relief and rehabilitation is at the top of his agenda. Expediting
and initiating the critically needed developmental projects for the
betterment of the islands also occupy high priority. Realising diverse
socio-economic aspirations would also be the focus of his attention.

"I don't believe in operating from the office alone. I would be touring
extensively," said Bhopinder Singh. He would like to keep his ears to the
earth so that he would feel the rumblings inside. That way, he believed, he
would be able to serve the people better and meet their hopes and
aspirations in a more positive and effective way. He assured the inquisitive
that he would work in close cooperation with the stakeholders and nothing
would be imposed from above.

"Media are the eyes and ears of the people. Mediapersons have a tremendous
role to reflect the concerns of the people," he continued. He would maintain
a healthy relation with the media and would have frequent interaction with
it to disseminate information and get the feedback as well, he said.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol - 32, Issue 02 :: 6 Jan 2006*
Incred!ble Andamans
*Sans Water, Shelter or Transport*



*The islands brace for a largesse tourist attack with its advertising
blitzkrieg, but are we ready for it? *



*By Govinda Raju*



Port Blair: The tourism department of Andaman and Nicobar Administration has
retained five top-notch advertising agencies; JWT, O&M, MAA Bozell, RK Swamy
and Span Communication to launch an advertising blitzkrieg to attract
high-end tourist to Destination Andamans at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore for four
months — December 2006 to March 2007. It's keeping its 2007-08 budget at Rs
6-7 crore.

In contrast to the Port Blair Municipal Council press notices greeting the
New Year with the curtailment of half-an hour water supply per day from
alternate day to thrice a week, or after every two days.

On certain days at 5.00 am the Phoenix Bay Jetty looks like railway platform
of Howrah station. Over one thousand people would be seen struggling to
latch on to a boat sailing for Havelock. Phoenix Bay jetty is the  hub of
the inter-island ferry services. Thee is neither any toilet, nor any
arrangements for drinking water.

A look at Middle Strait shows a hundred Omnis lined up waiting for the
vehicle ferry to move on to the new Mecca of the eager tourist; Baratang. A
look around the Baratang Island would reveal that the resources there are
bursting through the seams to handles tourists in thousands. There are
simply not enough eateries, lodges and transport to cater to the burgeoning
demand.

The convoy system is another hindrance. The planning commission mandarins do
not understand that the staggered hours are counter productive. A hundred
Omnis stand lined up awaiting the ferry. The tourists get enough time and
opportunities to move about and mingle with the Jarawas. Young Jarawa boys
and girls could be seen at Middle Strait at any given point in time. The
very purpose of the convoy system is defeated.

The hotels and lodges in Port Blair do not have enough rooms to accommodate
the steady stream of tourists disembarking every day. Tour operators dupe
the visitors at every step. Those booked at Rs 4,500 a day are taken to a
Rs-200-a-day bedbug-infested dingy room. The poor tourist has no avenue to
complain.

Private residences are fast turning into makeshift lodging houses even
before the bureaucratic red tape could finalise the norms for taking paying
guests.

The deluge is not thanks to the advertising blitzkrieg of the
administration, but is solely because of the increased number of airlines
and reduced fares in a competitive market.

Nobody objected to the multi-crore advertising campaign. Everyone welcomes
the fullest exploitation of the resources to bring prosperity to the
islands. But before launching the campaign did the administration assess how
it planned to cope with the inflow of tourists. About their accommodation,
transport and the most basic requirement: water? Apparently not.


The Andaman Lifeline



*The waterways are the only mode of commuting between islands, but the
administration's vindictiveness toward private entrepreneurs trying to
improve this mode is curbing possible growth, while at the same time the
administration doesn't realize the importance of their involvement. *



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: The Watercraft— be it boat, ship or a dinghy— is the lifeline of
an island system. It is not only the lifeline for the people of the islands
but also the sole link connecting tourists to the various islands open for
this purpose.

Havelock is a hotspot on the tourist map of the islands. But they have to go
through hell to reach there despite the shipping department having provided
extra boats. The vessels that ply between Port Blair and Havelock can take
75 passengers each. The number of tourists eager to go to Havelock far
exceeds that number. Apart from that there are the local residents of
Havelock who have to come to Port Blair for various reasons.

MV Ramanujam and MV Dering are vessels that take 400 passengers at a time.
Both are operated and maintained by the Shipping Corporation of India . MV
Ramanujam was in dock for four months and it will take a few more months to
be inducted into the fleet. MV Dering was cooling its heels for
one-and-a-half months and recently wet into dry-dock. Its fate is unknown.
The administration has no control over these vessels' operation and
maintenance even though it foots the bill – the entire expenses. The
Shipping Corporation does not accord any priority to the demands of the
administration.

Everyone knows when the tourist season starts and when there would be
pressing demand for more capacity. In spite of that there is no long term
planning to ensure that the vessels are ready for service when the demand is
at its peaks.

Lack of capacity to ferry the tourists to Havelock creates a piquant
situation for the tour operators who put the island in their itinerary.
Speaking to this reporter a tour operator said, "we are prepared to pay Rs
500-600 for the return ticket per head. The tourists are prepared to bear
it. But there are just not enough vessels."

A private entrepreneur of considerable resources was willing to put up
vessels in the Port Blair-Havelock route with Rs 500 per return ticket with
breakfast on the house. But he said he would not do it. "People like me have
burnt their fingers in the past. I don't want to repeat that folly," he
continued. He cited the example of the owners of Hotel Shompen who had
started a ferry between Wandoor and Jolly Buoy when that island was thrown
open. The rate they charged was Rs 75 per head. Till then the shipping
department did not have any vessel for tourism purposes. Within a fortnight
of the commencement of the private ferry, the shipping department managed a
boat to spare and started a ferry to Jolly Buoy at Rs 25 per head.
Naturally, the private operator folded up.

"The administration becomes vindictive towards private enterprise once it
competes with its departments," concluded the entrepreneur.


Tourism explosion boomerangs on Islanders



*Tourism boom in the Islands have made life hard for the Islanders, due to
severe scarcity of essential goods like LPG in North and Middle Andaman,
price hike and blackmarketing of boat tickets*



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: The booming tourism trade has started pinching the islanders in
many ways. Sudden rush of people has made everything in the market dearer.
The hotels and restaurants serve poor quality meals at enhanced prices and
the local people who depend on these establishments for their daily meals
have to suffer the consequences.

People of Havelock find it difficult to obtain tickets for returning home at
the legitimate prices. A mafia has grown around the ticket counter that
corners all the tickets. After issuing five-six tickets the voice behind the
counter says "there are no more tickets". At the same time people can be
seen selling ticket at exorbitant rates. These people buy tickets against
islanders' certificate and black market it. Police constables on duty just
look the other way since they too are suitably covered in the racket,
according to reports.

The convoy system along the Andaman Trunk Road adds its own bit of misery on
the people of Middle & North Andaman. All the items of daily consumption are
transported by road nowadays, including ration articles, LPG and kerosene
oil. Trucks get the lowest priority in the convoy system. It has two convoys
at 7.30AM and 11.30AM to Diglipur. Return convoys for trucks are at 9.30AMand
3.30PM towards Port Blair. If a truck is late by five minutes, it has to
wait for the next convoy. Even in vehicle ferries, it has the lowest
priority. As a result the turnover time for a truck goes upto three to four
days causing huge financial losses to the consignees.

It also causes shortages and man made scarcities in Middle and North
Andaman. People wait for LPG truck in a queue till midnight, according to
reports. On a particular day last week there was no mineral water in
Baratang. Unscrupulous traders indulge in profiteering too.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior officer confided that there was
nothing that the administration could do to ease the situation on the ATR.
The Planning Commission and several NGOs were breathing down the neck of the
administration to close down the ATR. If any attempt was made to increase
the frequency to ease the movement of tourists or cargo, both of them would
come down like a ton of bricks. In his opinion, if the tourist traffic could
be diverted through the sea route to Baratang, it would ease the situation
for other users of ATR.

However, an expert on shipping matters dismissed the idea as impractical.
"It would need a bold decision on the part of the administration to open up
the inter-island services to private sector and that too in a clearly
defined way so that once it is introduced; the shipping department would not
play a spoilsport.


Conserving Environment to Promote Tourism



*By M.A. Haque*



On account of environmental variations, India supports variety of habitats
and associated flora and fauna.   These habitats and associated plants and
animals play important role in attracting tourists. There is great deal of
variety with respect to environmental conditions in the country. Western
Ghats receives about 2000 mm average rain, while certain areas of Rajasthan,
Gujarat and Ladakh receive only about 100 mm of rain every year. World's
rainiest place is in Meghalaya. Temperature also varies extensively from one
region to another. As a result, a wide spectrum of habitats exists in India.
Certain areas have tropical rainforests while others support alpine type of
vegetation. Still other areas support temperate or another type of forest.
In addition, there are extensive grasslands, wetlands, rivers, estuaries,
reservoirs etc. Also, large area is occupied by deserts, hot deserts in
Rajasthan and Gujarat while Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh have unique cold
deserts.

As many as 3.88 million foreign tourist arrivals took place till November
this year recording a 12.9 per cent increase over the last year. Foreign
exchange earning of Rs 25,934 crore was made showing growth of 16.9 per cent
over the last year. Still, India receives only about 0.4 % of global
tourists. This is a matter of concern for people associated with tourism.
But there is a section of people, which considers it to be a 'boon in
disguise'. This group consists of those who are concerned about
conservation. Their concern is that even with small number of tourists and
visitors, our heritage and natural wealth are not safe. If the number grows,
the problem will multiply. Let us look at some of the arguments they have
against tourism and travel.

Unhealthy practices

To boost their income, organizations, institutions and individuals
associated with tourism and travel activities encourage or allow activities
that are detrimental. For example, every tourist or visitor going to the
forest, National Park or Sanctuary is interested in viewing the wildlife.
But the problem starts when their choice becomes very limited. Everyone
considers it essential to see animals like tiger, lion, elephant or leopard.
These are large animals and their number is always small in any forest.
Reasons are obvious. Tiger, leopard etc. are carnivorous. Being at the top
of the food chain, their number cannot grow beyond a limit. In case of
elephant, it is the size of the animal and its huge food and space
requirement that do not allow the number to grow beyond a limit. This is the
reason that there is no guarantee that these can be sighted by visitors in a
day or two. Visitors compare their visit with the films that they see on TV.
They want to get opportunity to see the animals in similar fashion, moving,
hunting, playing, and mating. But they rarely realize that the film crew
camps for weeks together to shoot and even then there is no guarantee of
success. Occasional tourists compare their visit with TV shows and
pressurize the management and often bribe the lower staff to view the
animals from close. For any tourist destination it is vital that they get
adequate number of visitors to sustain the facilities there. Hence, at times
the authorities indulge in practices which are not healthy. For example,
animals are tracked and once they are spotted, visitors are sent to the
location.   Earlier, baits were also offered to the animals to attract them
to a particular spot and visitors were kept there. It is claimed by
activists that when some VIPs visit a National Park or Sanctuary, a modified
version of offering bait is practiced to ensure that they see the animals.

These activities lead to interference in the normal life of wild animals.
Their feeding habits, hunting habits, sexual life etc. get affected. Also,
by nature, the wild animals are shy and they do not like to come in contact
with human being. On account of their forced exposure to visitors, their
behaviour changes and they may not remain shy to humans and   they may
attack people if they get opportunity.

Unsupportive Infrastructure

  Tourists, who can afford high cost, generally demand high standard
facilities. Even when they are in a forest or in a small town, they expect
modern facilities. There are two alternatives. Either the management
provides them the facilities or they have to face the risk of not receiving
such tourists. The tour managers generally prefer the first option. This is
the reason that we find star hotels, modern guesthouses with AC, TV,
telephone etc. in small towns and even inside or close to forest areas. As
such, there is not much problem on account of these facilities being there.
But these facilities change the landscape, adversely affect the normal life
of local population and also create a barrier between the local population
and the visitors. Visitors do not get opportunity to interact with local
population and experience the customs, rituals, lifestyle etc. of the local
population.   Thus, one of the objectives of travel and tourism is defeated.
When such facilities are created in forest or in the vicinity they exert
serious impact on the environment and wildlife of the area. Lifestyle in
high class hotels, guest houses etc. is totally different from the lifestyle
in small towns, villages, and more so in and around forest areas. For
example, consumption of electricity, water and other resources are more.
Generation of waste is also more and the nature of waste is different as
most materials are from outside. Use of disposables made of
non-biodegradable materials, high power detergents and other chemicals
multiply. Obviously, the infrastructure at those locations is not geared to
deal with such wastes. As a result wastes accumulate and degrade the
environment.

Threat to Biodiversity

Quite often visitors to biodiversity rich areas collect plants, plant parts,
small animals. They also purchase rare plants, animal skin, bone, teeth,
ivory, coral, or items made of these materials. As a result there is
encouragement to poaching, hunting and illegal collection of these
materials. Obviously, it is against the basic principle of conservation. In
the north- east it is common to find rare orchids and other endemic plants
being sold on roadside. Tourists and visitors buy them to carry. Most of
these plants die soon as the conditions in places where they are carried are
different. Similarly, in coastal areas rare fishes, animals, corals etc. are
sold to visitors and tourists causing threat to the biodiversity of the
area. At times poachers and hunters enter the forest as tourists and
visitors.

Responsible Tourism

  Solution lies in ecotourism. 'Ecological' has double purpose i.e.
environmental as well as social. The term "Ecotourism" has been defined by
the International Ecotourism Society as "responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".
Ecotourism is supposed to satisfy certain criteria. In essence, it involves
everything which can sustain tourism without creating problems for the
people, places and environment. If we plan to have long term benefits from
tourism, we must adopt Ecotourism in its real spirit.


Editorial: After ATR What?



The Great Andaman Trunk Road was constructed over the dead bodies of the
APWD mazdoors, the Jarawas and the bush police personnel. Unfortunately for
everyone now involved in ATR; whether for or against, in any capacity, the
full implication of such a road had not downed on them. It took quite
sometime for the impact of the road on the lives of the Jarawas nay, their
very survival to surface. There again the revelation came in very small
doses.

By then, the people had grown used to it. It had become an integral part of
their lives. Under growing attack and a series of court cases culminating in
the Supreme Court order of 2002, it reached a stage where its closer became
imminent.

The road is mired in controversy, a very serious one at that. The
administration is hell bent to save it. The Planning Commission and the
tribal rights activists are equally serious to close it. In the meantime the
Jarawas have gone through a churning. They have acquired all, almost all,
the vices of civilization. They have taken to eating rice and dal, taking
tobacco and gutka and maybe even submitting to sexual exploitation whether
by choice or due to allurement. They too have gone too far.

The irony is: nobody knows how to save the tribe. Nobody is sure closing the
ATR would save them. Yet they have to maintain the position. If the tribal
civilization disintegrates even after closing the road, it is nobody's loss;
except the islanders. Barring a few, the tribal rights activists don't
belong to the islands.

But it is not easy to take a position against it too. After all, we are
talking of human beings to whom these islands belong in the first place.
They have the first claim over the islands.

On the one hand, the Planning Commission imposes restrictions on the use of
the road and on the other it sanctions funds to turn the same road to National
Highway.

Torn between the conflicting interests, the fate of the ATR could safely be
termed 'uncertain'. The uncertainty might end in a sudden and final order to
close it. That is not an improbability.

Are we prepared to face the consequences of such a closure? Or we shall be
groping in the dark for a miracle to deliver us?

We have emphasised time and again that the water transport has to be
lifeline of an island system. It is cheaper, faster and safer for all
concerned. XIth 5-year plan commences April next. Numerous vessels would be
purchased. In the past, serious mistakes were committed in approving
inappropriate designs that fail to deliver in our local conditions. It's
time lessons are learnt and mistakes rectified.

Local masters and engineers can provide invaluable inputs to arrive at the
type of vessels that suite the local requirement.

ATR or no ATR, the vessels acquired are not going to go waste. It would only
bring cheers to the beleaguered people of the islands.


BJP demands CBI probe into relief scam



*Is the A&N administration's indifference in the past two years finally
catching up to them? The BJP is hell-bent on getting to the bottom of
allegations of corruption and inefficiency in handling the relief and
rehabilitation process in the islands *



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: Vishal Jolly, 34-year-old newly elected president of the A&N
Sate Committee of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is clear on his stand
regarding tsunami relief and rehabilitation. He said his party would be
demanding a CBI probe into the alleged corrupt practices indulged in by the
officers of the administration in providing relief and rehabilitation to the
tsunami victims. He was addressing a press conference in the state
headquarters of the party.

The press conference was called to inform the media about the completion of
the election process as all the committees were nominated. The district
committees would now be constituted. He also shared his interaction with the
senior leaders of the party at the National Executive Meeting where he
placed the problems and issues of the islands before the national leaders.

He said that the party was dismayed at the indifference of the
administration towards those farmers whose agricultural lands were submerged
in South Andaman. "In spite of our repeated demands, the administration
maintained a studied silence over the issue of the South Andaman farmers;
whether they would be provided alternate land or compensation for the land,"
he stated. "The administration has no inclination to solve this problem," he
added.

The farmers were provided tools and equipments like spades, crow bars, water
pumps and power tillers. "What would they do with those tools and equipments
when their land is submerged?" he questioned. He also alleged that organic
manure, that has a useful life of three months, was dumped into the
submerged fields without even telling the farmers. "Rs 34 crore were dumped
into saline water against the advice of M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation. The foundation was paid Rs 10 lakh for the work. A complete
waste as none of the recommendations were followed," said Jolly.

There were many such issues relating to the tsunami victims who have not
received consideration from the administration — traders who lost their
entire businesses, fishermen who have started getting bank notices, those
who constructed houses out of bank loans. The BJP has decided to take up
such cases in right earnest, according to Jolly.

In his statement to the press, Jolly said that his party would soon be
launching territory wide agitation demanding justice for all those who have
been ignored by the administration this far.

Jolly confirmed the need of a CBI probe stating that the matter had already
been raised before the National Executive, and the senior leaders too will
be pursuing the matter. At the local level, an agitation will be launched
with a CBI probe into the malpractices indulged by the officials as one of
the demands.

As for the party's vision for the islands 30 years down the line, Jolly
said, "We want to see the islands as a proud and economically self-reliant
territory. And we must contribute to the national exchequer." However, he
fumbled for words when a scribe asked him that his party excels on demanding
more and more from the centre!"


New Lt. Governor takes over *Nothing will be imposed from above –
Bhopinder Singh*



*The new Lieutenant Governor is bringing in a new stream of promises, with a
stress on speedy groundwork rather than operating from within the office
alone.*



*By Staff Reporter*



Port Blair: Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM was administered the
oath of office and secrecy for the office of the Lt. Governor and
Administrator on December 29, 2006 at 11.45 am in an impressive function
held in the lawns of Raj Niwas. Justice V.S. Sarpurkar, Chief Justice of
Calcutta High Court administered the oath of office.

The function was attended by the senior officers of the administration,
Central Government departments and defence establishment. Members of the
municipality and the PRIs were also present in good strength. Both the
present and the former Members of Parliament also graced the occasion.

Bhopinder Singh was born in Allahabad on March 20, 1946 in a family of
soldiers. His father was a Brigadier in the India Army. He had put in 41
years of service in the Indian Army and retired in the year 2006. He visited
many foreign countries under various assignments. He was also in
Ethiopiawith the Indian contingent of UN Peace Keeping Force. He was
the Defence
Secretary to President K.R. Narayanan. During that period he had accompanied
the President on his brief vacation in these islands. He is now settled in
Chandigarh.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons in the evening at Raj Niwas, Lt.
Governor Bhopinder Singh listed out his priorities. Speedy implementation of
tsunami relief and rehabilitation is at the top of his agenda. Expediting
and initiating the critically needed developmental projects for the
betterment of the islands also occupy high priority. Realising diverse
socio-economic aspirations would also be the focus of his attention.

"I don't believe in operating from the office alone. I would be touring
extensively," said Bhopinder Singh. He would like to keep his ears to the
earth so that he would feel the rumblings inside. That way, he believed, he
would be able to serve the people better and meet their hopes and
aspirations in a more positive and effective way. He assured the inquisitive
that he would work in close cooperation with the stakeholders and nothing
would be imposed from above.

"Media are the eyes and ears of the people. Mediapersons have a tremendous
role to reflect the concerns of the people," he continued. He would maintain
a healthy relation with the media and would have frequent interaction with
it to disseminate information and get the feedback as well, he said.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Namasthe to all

   I am JOHN ROBERT from Great Nicobar Island and just 20 KM away from Indira
Point ( The Southern Most tip of india )

   The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is known throughout the
country as 'Kalapani' because of their having been a penal settlement under the
British Rule. The islands lie in a long and narrow broken chain, approximately
north-south sprawling like an arc. Andaman group of islands and the Nicobar
group of islands, have entirely different population and problems. The dreaded
10o channel which is about 145 km wide and 400 fathoms deep, separates the two
groups.
   This territory comprises islands some of which are large such as North
Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Baratang, Little Andaman in the Andaman
group and Car Nicobar. Situated in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar
islands constitute one of the most important union territories. This is a group
of big and small picturesque islands forming a narrow broken chain in the form
of a north-south arc and are situated at 16oN and 14oN latitude and 92oE and
94oE longitude. Geologically the islands appear to have been part of the land
mass of South east Asia comprising North East India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia
and Indonesia.
   Port Blair, the head quarters of the islands is 1255kms from Calcutta (by
sea), 1191kms from Madras and 580kms from Yangon (Rangoon).
   This territory consists of two distinct groups of islands-Andaman and Nicobar.
There are more than 3000 islands, islets and rocks in the archipelago while only
about 300 of them are of appreciable size. Of these only 39 islands are
inhabited. The northern most point is Landfall island which is 901kms away from
the mouth of Hoogly River and about 190kms from Burma. The southern-most island
is Great Nicobar, the southern-most tip of which Pygmalian Point now Indira
Point (The Southern Most tip of india )is about 150kms away from Sumatra
(Indonesia).

   Few days back i was flot a  mail on this group regarding the southern most tip
of india . From past six months i am thinking how to make it correct the theme
   "Kasmir se Indira Point tak hum ek hai" naki  "kashmir se kanyakumari tek hum
ek hai "
   By geographically Indira point is the southern most tip of india , but when
ever you we going to search in googlle or any search engine regarding the
southern most tip of india we will find only Kanyakumari is the southern most
tip of india.
   i need everyone sugesstion and response on this pl help me  on this issue.

   JOHN ROBERT
   PARIRAKSHAK
   KAMAL BASTHI
   PO- CAMPBELL BAY
   GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND
   PIN 744302
   TELEFAX- 03193264340
   MOBILE - 09434288588



  Send free SMS to your Friends on Mobile from your Yahoo! Messenger. Download
Now! http://messenger.yahoo.com/download.php

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*
**

*New Lt. Governor takes over*

*Nothing will be imposed from above – Bhopinder Singh*



*The new Lieutenant Governor is bringing in a new stream of promises, with a
stress on speedy groundwork rather than operating from within the office
alone.*



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM was administered the
oath of office and secrecy for the office of the Lt. Governor and
Administrator on December 29, 2006 at 11.45 am in an impressive function
held in the lawns of Raj Niwas. Justice V.S. Sarpurkar, Chief Justice of
Calcutta High Court administered the oath of office.

The function was attended by the senior officers of the administration,
Central Government departments and defence establishment. Members of the
municipality and the PRIs were also present in good strength. Both the
present and the former Members of Parliament also graced the occasion.

Bhopinder Singh was born in Allahabad on March 20, 1946 in a family of
soldiers. His father was a Brigadier in the India Army. He had put in 41
years of service in the Indian Army and retired in the year 2006. He visited
many foreign countries under various assignments. He was also in
Ethiopiawith the Indian contingent of UN Peace Keeping Force. He was
the Defence
Secretary to President K.R. Narayanan. During that period he had accompanied
the President on his brief vacation in these islands. He is now settled in
Chandigarh.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons in the evening at Raj Niwas, Lt.
Governor Bhopinder Singh listed out his priorities. Speedy implementation of
tsunami relief and rehabilitation is at the top of his agenda. Expediting
and initiating the critically needed developmental projects for the
betterment of the islands also occupy high priority. Realising diverse
socio-economic aspirations would also be the focus of his attention.

"I don't believe in operating from the office alone. I would be touring
extensively," said Bhopinder Singh. He would like to keep his ears to the
earth so that he would feel the rumblings inside. That way, he believed, he
would be able to serve the people better and meet their hopes and
aspirations in a more positive and effective way. He assured the inquisitive
that he would work in close cooperation with the stakeholders and nothing
would be imposed from above.

"Media are the eyes and ears of the people. Mediapersons have a tremendous
role to reflect the concerns of the people," he continued. He would maintain
a healthy relation with the media and would have frequent interaction with
it to disseminate information and get the feedback as well, he said.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*



*Editorial:*

*After ATR What?*



The Great Andaman Trunk Road was constructed over the dead bodies of the
APWD mazdoors, the Jarawas and the bush police personnel. Unfortunately for
everyone now involved in ATR; whether for or against, in any capacity, the
full implication of such a road had not downed on them. It took quite
sometime for the impact of the road on the lives of the Jarawas nay, their
very survival to surface. There again the revelation came in very small
doses.

By then, the people had grown used to it. It had become an integral part of
their lives. Under growing attack and a series of court cases culminating in
the Supreme Court order of 2002, it reached a stage where its closer became
imminent.

The road is mired in controversy, a very serious one at that. The
administration is hell bent to save it. The Planning Commission and the
tribal rights activists are equally serious to close it. In the meantime the
Jarawas have gone through a churning. They have acquired all, almost all,
the vices of civilization. They have taken to eating rice and dal, taking
tobacco and gutka and maybe even submitting to sexual exploitation whether
by choice or due to allurement. They too have gone too far.

The irony is: nobody knows how to save the tribe. Nobody is sure closing the
ATR would save them. Yet they have to maintain the position. If the tribal
civilization disintegrates even after closing the road, it is nobody's loss;
except the islanders. Barring a few, the tribal rights activists don't
belong to the islands.

But it is not easy to take a position against it too. After all, we are
talking of human beings to whom these islands belong in the first place.
They have the first claim over the islands.

On the one hand, the Planning Commission imposes restrictions on the use of
the road and on the other it sanctions funds to turn the same road to National
Highway.

Torn between the conflicting interests, the fate of the ATR could safely be
termed 'uncertain'. The uncertainty might end in a sudden and final order to
close it. That is not an improbability.

Are we prepared to face the consequences of such a closure? Or we shall be
groping in the dark for a miracle to deliver us?

We have emphasised time and again that the water transport has to be
lifeline of an island system. It is cheaper, faster and safer for all
concerned. XIth 5-year plan commences April next. Numerous vessels would be
purchased. In the past, serious mistakes were committed in approving
inappropriate designs that fail to deliver in our local conditions. It's
time lessons are learnt and mistakes rectified.

Local masters and engineers can provide invaluable inputs to arrive at the
type of vessels that suite the local requirement.

ATR or no ATR, the vessels acquired are not going to go waste. It would only
bring cheers to the beleaguered people of the islands.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006

Incred!ble Andamans

*Sans Water, Shelter or Transport*

*The islands brace for a largesse tourist attack with increase in airlines
at competitive fares, but are we ready for it?*
**
*By Govinda Raju*

Port Blair: The tourism department of Andaman and Nicobar Administration has
retained five top-notch advertising agencies; JWT, O&M, MAA Bozell, RK Swamy
and Span Communication to launch an advertising blitzkrieg to attract
high-end tourist to Destination Andamans at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore for four
months — December 2006 to March 2007. It's keeping its 2007-08 budget at Rs
6-7 crore.

In contrast to the Port Blair Municipal Council press notices greeting the
New Year with the curtailment of half-an hour water supply per day from
alternate day to thrice a week, or after every two days.

On certain days at 5.00 am the Phoenix Bay Jetty looks like railway platform
of Howrah station. Over one thousand people would be seen struggling to
latch on to a boat sailing for Havelock. Phoenix Bay jetty is the  hub of
the inter-island ferry services. Thee is neither any toilet, nor any
arrangements for drinking water.

A look at Middle Strait shows a hundred Omnis lined up waiting for the
vehicle ferry to move on to the new Mecca of the eager tourist; Baratang. A
look around the Baratang Island would reveal that the resources there are
bursting through the seams to handles tourists in thousands. There are
simply not enough eateries, lodges and transport to cater to the burgeoning
demand.

The convoy system is another hindrance. The planning commission mandarins do
not understand that the staggered hours are counter productive. A hundred
Omnis stand lined up awaiting the ferry. The tourists get enough time and
opportunities to move about and mingle with the Jarawas. Young Jarawa boys
and girls could be seen at Middle Strait at any given point in time. The
very purpose of the convoy system is defeated.

The hotels and lodges in Port Blair do not have enough rooms to accommodate
the steady stream of tourists disembarking every day. Tour operators dupe
the visitors at every step. Those booked at Rs 4,500 a day are taken to a
Rs-200-a-day bedbug-infested dingy room. The poor tourist has no avenue to
complain.

Private residences are fast turning into makeshift lodging houses even
before the bureaucratic red tape could finalise the norms for taking paying
guests.

The deluge is not thanks to the advertising blitzkrieg of the
administration, but is solely because of the increased number of airlines
and reduced fares in a competitive market.

Nobody objected to the multi-crore advertising campaign. Everyone welcomes
the fullest exploitation of the resources to bring prosperity to the
islands. But before launching the campaign did the administration assess how
it planned to cope with the inflow of tourists. About their accommodation,
transport and the most basic requirement: water? Apparently not.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*



*The Andaman Lifeline*



*The waterways are the only mode of commuting between islands, but the
administration's vindictiveness toward private entrepreneurs trying to
improve this mode is curbing possible growth, while at the same time the
administration doesn't realize the importance of their involvement.*



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: The Watercraft— be it boat, ship or a dinghy— is the lifeline of
an island system. It is not only the lifeline for the people of the islands
but also the sole link connecting tourists to the various islands open for
this purpose.

Havelock is a hotspot on the tourist map of the islands. But they have to go
through hell to reach there despite the shipping department having provided
extra boats. The vessels that ply between Port Blair and Havelock can take
75 passengers each. The number of tourists eager to go to Havelock far
exceeds that number. Apart from that there are the local residents of
Havelock who have to come to Port Blair for various reasons.

MV Ramanujam and MV Dering are vessels that take 400 passengers at a time.
Both are operated and maintained by the Shipping Corporation of India . MV
Ramanujam was in dock for four months and it will take a few more months to
be inducted into the fleet. MV Dering was cooling its heels for
one-and-a-half months and recently wet into dry-dock. Its fate is unknown.
The administration has no control over these vessels' operation and
maintenance even though it foots the bill – the entire expenses. The
Shipping Corporation does not accord any priority to the demands of the
administration.

Everyone knows when the tourist season starts and when there would be
pressing demand for more capacity. In spite of that there is no long term
planning to ensure that the vessels are ready for service when the demand is
at its peaks.

Lack of capacity to ferry the tourists to Havelock creates a piquant
situation for the tour operators who put the island in their itinerary.
Speaking to this reporter a tour operator said, "we are prepared to pay Rs
500-600 for the return ticket per head. The tourists are prepared to bear
it. But there are just not enough vessels."

A private entrepreneur of considerable resources was willing to put up
vessels in the Port Blair-Havelock route with Rs 500 per return ticket with
breakfast on the house. But he said he would not do it. "People like me have
burnt their fingers in the past. I don't want to repeat that folly," he
continued. He cited the example of the owners of Hotel Shompen who had
started a ferry between Wandoor and Jolly Buoy when that island was thrown
open. The rate they charged was Rs 75 per head. Till then the shipping
department did not have any vessel for tourism purposes. Within a fortnight
of the commencement of the private ferry, the shipping department managed a
boat to spare and started a ferry to Jolly Buoy at Rs 25 per head.
Naturally, the private operator folded up.

"The administration becomes vindictive towards private enterprise once it
competes with its departments," concluded the entrepreneur.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*



*Conserving Environment to Promote Tourism*

* *

*By M.A. Haque*



On account of environmental variations, India supports variety of habitats
and associated flora and fauna.   These habitats and associated plants and
animals play important role in attracting tourists. There is great deal of
variety with respect to environmental conditions in the country. Western
Ghats receives about 2000 mm average rain, while certain areas of Rajasthan,
Gujarat and Ladakh receive only about 100 mm of rain every year. World's
rainiest place is in Meghalaya. Temperature also varies extensively from one
region to another. As a result, a wide spectrum of habitats exists in India.
Certain areas have tropical rainforests while others support alpine type of
vegetation. Still other areas support temperate or another type of forest.
In addition, there are extensive grasslands, wetlands, rivers, estuaries,
reservoirs etc. Also, large area is occupied by deserts, hot deserts in
Rajasthan and Gujarat while Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh have unique cold
deserts.

As many as 3.88 million foreign tourist arrivals took place till November
this year recording a 12.9 per cent increase over the last year. Foreign
exchange earning of Rs 25,934 crore was made showing growth of 16.9 per cent
over the last year. Still, India receives only about 0.4 % of global
tourists. This is a matter of concern for people associated with tourism.
But there is a section of people, which considers it to be a 'boon in
disguise'. This group consists of those who are concerned about
conservation. Their concern is that even with small number of tourists and
visitors, our heritage and natural wealth are not safe. If the number grows,
the problem will multiply. Let us look at some of the arguments they have
against tourism and travel.

Unhealthy practices

To boost their income, organizations, institutions and individuals
associated with tourism and travel activities encourage or allow activities
that are detrimental. For example, every tourist or visitor going to the
forest, National Park or Sanctuary is interested in viewing the wildlife.
But the problem starts when their choice becomes very limited. Everyone
considers it essential to see animals like tiger, lion, elephant or leopard.
These are large animals and their number is always small in any forest.
Reasons are obvious. Tiger, leopard etc. are carnivorous. Being at the top
of the food chain, their number cannot grow beyond a limit. In case of
elephant, it is the size of the animal and its huge food and space
requirement that do not allow the number to grow beyond a limit. This is the
reason that there is no guarantee that these can be sighted by visitors in a
day or two. Visitors compare their visit with the films that they see on TV.
They want to get opportunity to see the animals in similar fashion, moving,
hunting, playing, and mating. But they rarely realize that the film crew
camps for weeks together to shoot and even then there is no guarantee of
success. Occasional tourists compare their visit with TV shows and
pressurize the management and often bribe the lower staff to view the
animals from close. For any tourist destination it is vital that they get
adequate number of visitors to sustain the facilities there. Hence, at times
the authorities indulge in practices which are not healthy. For example,
animals are tracked and once they are spotted, visitors are sent to the
location.   Earlier, baits were also offered to the animals to attract them
to a particular spot and visitors were kept there. It is claimed by
activists that when some VIPs visit a National Park or Sanctuary, a modified
version of offering bait is practiced to ensure that they see the animals.

These activities lead to interference in the normal life of wild animals.
Their feeding habits, hunting habits, sexual life etc. get affected. Also,
by nature, the wild animals are shy and they do not like to come in contact
with human being. On account of their forced exposure to visitors, their
behaviour changes and they may not remain shy to humans and   they may
attack people if they get opportunity.

Unsupportive Infrastructure

  Tourists, who can afford high cost, generally demand high standard
facilities. Even when they are in a forest or in a small town, they expect
modern facilities. There are two alternatives. Either the management
provides them the facilities or they have to face the risk of not receiving
such tourists. The tour managers generally prefer the first option. This is
the reason that we find star hotels, modern guesthouses with AC, TV,
telephone etc. in small towns and even inside or close to forest areas. As
such, there is not much problem on account of these facilities being there.
But these facilities change the landscape, adversely affect the normal life
of local population and also create a barrier between the local population
and the visitors. Visitors do not get opportunity to interact with local
population and experience the customs, rituals, lifestyle etc. of the local
population.   Thus, one of the objectives of travel and tourism is defeated.
When such facilities are created in forest or in the vicinity they exert
serious impact on the environment and wildlife of the area. Lifestyle in
high class hotels, guest houses etc. is totally different from the lifestyle
in small towns, villages, and more so in and around forest areas. For
example, consumption of electricity, water and other resources are more.
Generation of waste is also more and the nature of waste is different as
most materials are from outside. Use of disposables made of
non-biodegradable materials, high power detergents and other chemicals
multiply. Obviously, the infrastructure at those locations is not geared to
deal with such wastes. As a result wastes accumulate and degrade the
environment.

Threat to Biodiversity

Quite often visitors to biodiversity rich areas collect plants, plant parts,
small animals. They also purchase rare plants, animal skin, bone, teeth,
ivory, coral, or items made of these materials. As a result there is
encouragement to poaching, hunting and illegal collection of these
materials. Obviously, it is against the basic principle of conservation. In
the north- east it is common to find rare orchids and other endemic plants
being sold on roadside. Tourists and visitors buy them to carry. Most of
these plants die soon as the conditions in places where they are carried are
different. Similarly, in coastal areas rare fishes, animals, corals etc. are
sold to visitors and tourists causing threat to the biodiversity of the
area. At times poachers and hunters enter the forest as tourists and
visitors.

Responsible Tourism

  Solution lies in ecotourism. 'Ecological' has double purpose i.e.
environmental as well as social. The term "Ecotourism" has been defined by
the International Ecotourism Society as "responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".
Ecotourism is supposed to satisfy certain criteria. In essence, it involves
everything which can sustain tourism without creating problems for the
people, places and environment. If we plan to have long term benefits from
tourism, we must adopt Ecotourism in its real spirit.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

14-day Island Tourism Festival gets off to a colourful start
Source: The Daily telegrams dt 9th January 2007



    The 14-day Island Tourism Festival got off to a colourful start at ITF
ground, VIP road on 8th January2007 evening. Drum beating by the cultural
troupes attired in colourful costumes as also delightful performances by
cultural troupes marked the inauguration of the festival. Lt. Governor, Lt.
(Gen. (Retd) Bhopinder Singh followed by other dignitaries present on the
occasion lighted the traditional lamp to declare open the much awaited
festival.
    Addressing the function, the Lt. Governor said, tourism development in A
& N Island will be done in such a manner so that it helps to not only
generate job opportunities but also synergize the socio-economic development
of A & N islands.
    The Lt. Governor said that the nature has showered her bounties on A & N
verdant Islands. But what is discernible and admirable is the grace of these
islands and friendliness of its people, who have settled in A & N Islands
from different parts of the country. "The spirit of unity among the
islanders and the manner in which they live in perfect harmony amidst
diversity is certainly an example worth of emulation by the people of the
whole country".
    The Lt. Governor said, 'more people from elsewhere in this country should
visit our island so that the gap between mainland and islands is bridged and
the obscurity among them is done away with. The Lt. Governor said, he would
always be in favour of seeing for himself the implementation of any project
and ascertaining ground realities instead of forming committees to look into
its execution. "My effort during my tenure as Lt. Governor will be to
benefit the poor segments of the people by taking up developmental schemes
at their door steps".
    Lt. Governor recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who laid
down their lives for the cause of the motherland. Lt. General (Retd)
Bhopinder Singh said, "the Sacrifices by the freedom fighters have made
these island a sacred place. Every effort will be made to make this island a
place of pilgrimage for each countrymen to visit these islands".
    Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri
Manoranjan Bhakta said that it is the unity and the cooperation of the
people, which has made possible for these islands to develop in a better
way. "Through this festival, we should send a strong message to the people
of outer world that the people of these islands are united to face any
challenge, the MP said. The MP also urged the Lt. Governor to form a
committee incorporating members from the Administration and private to
chalk-out programmes for the ITF from next year onwards.
    The function was graced, among others by the first lady Smt Bhawanee
Singh, the Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, Shri R Chidambaram, the Chairman,
Municipal Council, Shri Sher Singh, Councilors of Municipal Council, PRI
members, Senior officers from the Defence and Civil Administration.
    In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, Shri Shumsher K
Sheriff, said that many proposals have been prepared by the Department of
Tourism for the expansion of tourism in these islands in the coming year to
take this Industry to International Status. However, promotion of tourism
will be done keeping in mind the fragile eco-system of A & N islands. The
Chief Secretary had a word of thanks for the artistes from mainland who have
come all the way to entertain the people here with their cultural shows.
    Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the
Secretary, IP&T, Dr. G D Badgaiyan said that promotion of tourism is the
main objective behind the organizing of ITF. Tourism plays an important role
in the economic development of these islands and tourism has the potential
to unite people emotionally, the Secretary Dr. G D Badgaiyan said, adding
that various measures are on the anvil through which the tourism Industry
will attain a great height in the years ahead.
    Smt Rashida Iqbal, Curator, National Memorial, who anchored the
programme, proposed the vote of thanks.

Dear John!



Geographically the northern most tip of India is not Kashmir. It is ' Indra Col'
lying at approx 21000ft above MSL on the northern shoulders of Karakoram pass on
the Stock Ranges. This pass is acessable the Siachen Glacier. I have led an
expedition  to the col in 1986 along with an American team from Mountain Travel
USA. At that time also we attempted to show the 'National Geography' team the
actual line of control and the Indian Geographical limits still no change. Now
at least our Indian schools are refering Indira Point as the southern most
geographical point of India. CHERRY


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*
**

*Tourism explosion boomerangs on Islanders*



*Tourism boom in the Islands have made life hard for the Islanders, due to
severe scarcity of essential goods like LPG in North and Middle Andaman,
price hike and blackmarketing of boat tickets*



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: The booming tourism trade has started pinching the islanders in
many ways. Sudden rush of people has made everything in the market dearer.
The hotels and restaurants serve poor quality meals at enhanced prices and
the local people who depend on these establishments for their daily meals
have to suffer the consequences.

People of Havelock find it difficult to obtain tickets for returning home at
the legitimate prices. A mafia has grown around the ticket counter that
corners all the tickets. After issuing five-six tickets the voice behind the
counter says "there are no more tickets". At the same time people can be
seen selling ticket at exorbitant rates. These people buy tickets against
islanders' certificate and black market it. Police constables on duty just
look the other way since they too are suitably covered in the racket,
according to reports.

The convoy system along the Andaman Trunk Road adds its own bit of misery on
the people of Middle & North Andaman. All the items of daily consumption are
transported by road nowadays, including ration articles, LPG and kerosene
oil. Trucks get the lowest priority in the convoy system. It has two convoys
at 7.30AM and 11.30AM to Diglipur. Return convoys for trucks are at 9.30AMand
3.30PM towards Port Blair. If a truck is late by five minutes, it has to
wait for the next convoy. Even in vehicle ferries, it has the lowest
priority. As a result the turnover time for a truck goes upto three to four
days causing huge financial losses to the consignees.

It also causes shortages and man made scarcities in Middle and North
Andaman. People wait for LPG truck in a queue till midnight, according to
reports. On a particular day last week there was no mineral water in
Baratang. Unscrupulous traders indulge in profiteering too.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior officer confided that there was
nothing that the administration could do to ease the situation on the ATR.
The Planning Commission and several NGOs were breathing down the neck of the
administration to close down the ATR. If any attempt was made to increase
the frequency to ease the movement of tourists or cargo, both of them would
come down like a ton of bricks. In his opinion, if the tourist traffic could
be diverted through the sea route to Baratang, it would ease the situation
for other users of ATR.

However, an expert on shipping matters dismissed the idea as impractical.
"It would need a bold decision on the part of the administration to open up
the inter-island services to private sector and that too in a clearly
defined way so that once it is introduced; the shipping department would not
play a spoilsport.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The Light of Andamans :: Vol: 32 Isue 02:: 6 Jan 2006*



*BJP demands CBI probe into relief scam*



*Is the A&N administration's indifference in the past two years finally
catching up to them? The BJP is hell-bent on getting to the bottom of
allegations of corruption and inefficiency in handling the relief and
rehabilitation process in the islands *



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: Vishal Jolly, 34-year-old newly elected president of the A&N
Sate Committee of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is clear on his stand
regarding tsunami relief and rehabilitation. He said his party would be
demanding a CBI probe into the alleged corrupt practices indulged in by the
officers of the administration in providing relief and rehabilitation to the
tsunami victims. He was addressing a press conference in the state
headquarters of the party.

The press conference was called to inform the media about the completion of
the election process as all the committees were nominated. The district
committees would now be constituted. He also shared his interaction with the
senior leaders of the party at the National Executive Meeting where he
placed the problems and issues of the islands before the national leaders.

He said that the party was dismayed at the indifference of the
administration towards those farmers whose agricultural lands were submerged
in South Andaman. "In spite of our repeated demands, the administration
maintained a studied silence over the issue of the South Andaman farmers;
whether they would be provided alternate land or compensation for the land,"
he stated. "The administration has no inclination to solve this problem," he
added.

The farmers were provided tools and equipments like spades, crow bars, water
pumps and power tillers. "What would they do with those tools and equipments
when their land is submerged?" he questioned. He also alleged that organic
manure, that has a useful life of three months, was dumped into the
submerged fields without even telling the farmers. "Rs 34 crore were dumped
into saline water against the advice of M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation. The foundation was paid Rs 10 lakh for the work. A complete
waste as none of the recommendations were followed," said Jolly.

There were many such issues relating to the tsunami victims who have not
received consideration from the administration — traders who lost their
entire businesses, fishermen who have started getting bank notices, those
who constructed houses out of bank loans. The BJP has decided to take up
such cases in right earnest, according to Jolly.

In his statement to the press, Jolly said that his party would soon be
launching territory wide agitation demanding justice for all those who have
been ignored by the administration this far.

Jolly confirmed the need of a CBI probe stating that the matter had already
been raised before the National Executive, and the senior leaders too will
be pursuing the matter. At the local level, an agitation will be launched
with a CBI probe into the malpractices indulged by the officials as one of
the demands.

As for the party's vision for the islands 30 years down the line, Jolly
said, "We want to see the islands as a proud and economically self-reliant
territory. And we must contribute to the national exchequer." However, he
fumbled for words when a scribe asked him that his party excels on demanding
more and more from the centre!"


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This is an interesting facet. kashmir and kanyakumari are not 'opposed' (in
structural linguistics sense) to each other. So if we say Kashmir then it
should be Tamilnadu and not kanyakumari or A&N not Indira point. One state
opposed to another state as they are structurally similar. Col. Cherian's
point makes a lot of sense. So now it should be 'Indra Col to Indira point'


Colonel! is it Indra or Indira Col? If it is Indira then it is fantastic --
Indira Gandhi at both ends of India! If it is Indra then of course we are
talking of King of gods in north and one time boss of India in the south!!

Either ways India from North-South and may I add east-west is one! Wherever
the geographical coordinates are. I wonder how often one can actually touch
Indra Col or, post-tsunami, reach Indira point.
This is a light hearted participation in the debate -- I hope it does not
upset any sensitivities:-)

On 09/01/07, Colonel K V Cherian <cherrycol99@...> wrote:
>
>   Dear John!
>
> Geographically the northern most tip of India is not Kashmir. It is '
> Indra Col' lying at approx 21000ft above MSL on the northern shoulders of
> Karakoram pass on the Stock Ranges. This pass is acessable the Siachen
> Glacier. I have led an expedition to the col in 1986 along with an American
> team from Mountain Travel USA. At that time also we attempted to show the
> 'National Geography' team the actual line of control and the Indian
> Geographical limits still no change. Now at least our Indian schools are
> refering Indira Point as the southern most geographical point of India.
> CHERRY
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From: Douglas Worts
  LEAD Canada, Cohort 6
  douglas_worts@...


  Greetings colleagues!

  I'm writing to let you know about the newest issue of "Museums and Social
Issues" (MSI) journal.  The focus of the issue is "A Culture of
Sustainability", which seems increasingly timely given the current and
expanding concern for such issues as climate change, local/global violence,
economic inequity and so on.

  How are museums responding to these shifting realities?... how could they
be responding?... why should museums care? Each of these questions are
discussed in the "A Culture of Sustainability" issue of the MSI journal.

  Until the end of January, Left Coast Press {www.lcoastpress.com}, the
publisher of MSI, is making the journal available for FREE, as pdf
downloads.

  This is an introductory offer to celebrate the launch of the new electronic
download feature on their website.  So, if you want to check out what some
of the 'culture and sustainability' folks from Canada, Europe, the USA,
Europe and Australia have to say about the challenges and opportunities of
engaging the 'sustainability agenda' by museums, then go to
(http://lcoastpress.metapress.com/content/120188} and select "Number 2 /
Fall 2006".  This brings you to the following page, the url for which is
longer than one line, so you may have to copy and paste:

 
{http://lcoastpress.metapress.com/content/x4114303lnl0/?p=9e452a433ae6416d8353cf\
6422214225?=0} At this point, each article in the issue is listed, with the
author, titleand text (which states it is in pdf format, and it also states the
filesize).  Just click on the pdf link and the article will start to download
inpdf format. If you check out the journal, you'll get a good feeling for the
distinctcharacter of MSI and hopefully think of it as a place for engaging
indiscussion about the cultural and social issues of our times and
theirpotential meaningfulness for the museum profession. Best wishes for 2007!
Douglas Worts Culture and Sustainability Specialist (Interpretive Planner,
Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario) Toronto, Ontario,
Canadadouglas_worts@...> personal website: <www.geocities.com/dcworts>>>
_____________________________________> LEAD International accepts no liability
for the content of this email, orfor the consequences of any actions taken on
the basis of the informationprovided, unless that information is subsequently
confirmed in writing. Anyviews or opinions presented in this email are solely
those of the author anddo not necessarily represent those of LEAD
International.> _____________________________________> LEAD International **
Sundial House, 114 Kensington High Street, London W84NP, UK **
http://www.lead.org.>