Dear Friends,
Here is the lead article from the latest issue of SANE News (August 2004).
SANE News is the Newsletter of the Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology.
Back issues of SANE News are accessible on the website www.andaman.org

Pankaj Sekhsaria

MANY STEPS FORWARD: Looking back at the status of implementation of SC
Orders

Many of us alleged, and not without reasons, that the Administration had
shown a singular reluctance and apathy in implementation of the Court
Orders. Most of us felt that the Administration was wilfully letting go of
the historical opportunity of correcting past errors.

It is a matter of great pleasure that of late the Administration has taken
several steps forward, which, although late, are most welcome. What’s
more
the Administration has tried to do this in a transparent and equitable
manner.  Let us take a look at some of these steps.

I. Inner-line area:  The Supreme Court while accepting the Shekhar Singh
Commission's recommendations had ordered that an Inner-line regime be
introduced in the islands to check the population influx. The
Administration has already sent a proposal to the Government of India
(GoI) to set in motion the legal steps necessary to achieve this. The
final decision and notification of the new set of rules by the GoI is
awaited. This one step alone, when implemented, will effectively halve the
problems faced by the Administration in improving the quality of life of
the islanders through developmental skills. The islanders are hopeful that
once this is done new ghosts of encroachments both in forest and revenue
land, scarcity of water and power etc. will not continue to resurface.

II. Island Development Institute: Similarly as ordered by the Honble
Supreme Court, the Administration resolved to establish an Island
Development Institute. This is another very welcome step that will make
formulation of appropriate island oriented developmental schemes and
methods of implementation of such schemes possible.

III. The Jarawa case: In recognition of the sentiments expressed in the
two seminars to evolve a Jarawa policy held at Kolkata in April and Port
Blair in May, 2004, the Administration has reconstituted the AAJVS and
inducted seven experts in the general body. Four experts of great repute
have also been inducted in the Executive Council. The readers will
remember that these seminars were organised in compliance of the
directions of the Honble High Court of Kolkata in a PIL filed by SANE for
protection of the Jarawa tribe.

Similarly steps for institutional strengthening of the AAJVS and
sensitising the staff that come in contact with the Jarawa have also been
initiated. The byelaws of the AAJVS have also been amended to make the
organisation more affective and focussed. Henceforth the AAJVS will meet
at least thrice a year instead of once a year.

In a surprise move the Administration has very generously decided to
enhance the area of the Jarawa Reserve by another 160 Sq Kms. The legal
mechanisms to make the area between the ATR and the East Coast of South
Andaman from Jirkatang check post to Middle Strait, a part of the Jarawa
reserve is in the pipeline and expected shortly.

Earlier the ATR corridor (the de-reserved area on both sides of the ATR)
was 200 meters in width. This has now been reduced to 60 meters: 30 meters
on either side of the road.

A decision has been taken to make the AAJVS more research oriented.
Fellowships are proposed to be awarded to scholars from institutes of
repute. To identify areas of research and approving such projects, a
committee consisting of Dr. Vishvajit Pandya of Dhiru Bhai Institute of
Information and Communication Technology, Dr. B. Ghosh of the
Anthropological Survey of India, Port Blair and Mr. S.A. Awaradi, Director
of Tribal Welfare has been constituted.

AAJVS has resolved to permit the children of Great Andamanese to study in
schools of their choice. AAJVS will facilitate this.

While we greatly welcome all these positive steps, and put on record our
sincere appreciation of the actions of the Honble Lt. Governor and the
Chief Secretary, we would be less than truthful if we also did not express
our dissatisfaction at the lack of the recommendation from the AAJVS for
closure of the ATR, even after the proceedings of both the seminars was
presented before them. A majority of the Experts present had unequivocally
demanded this.

We also have reservations about the perfunctory manner in which the
proposed Island Development Institute has been demoted to a mere cell in
Van Sadan under a CCF of the Forest Department.  It was late Mr. Rajiv
Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India who had first felt and expressed
the need of an Institute of Island Development which will deal with
ocean, fisheries, environment, tourism and related training aspects etc,
He also suggested that if we bring in 100 outsiders to the islands for
various jobs such as in tourism, it could be ensured that 100 local people
be employed on the mainland.  The setting up of the proposed Institute
might help to look at all aspects of island development on an integrated
basis.”  He had further desired that such an institute would ensure
innovative thinking in harmony with the environment; he stressed that the
basic idea of setting up the IDA (also) was to protect the environment and
ecology of these two groups of islands while development plans were
implemented.;

Need we say more about the present structure of IID not being in harmony
with Rajiivji's dreams?


Well Done: Forest Department

The Forest Department has started checking the inventories of the
furniture shops/workshops in and around Port Blair. This activity will
shortly be expanded to the rural areas. In a Gazette Notification
promulgating certain amendments to the A&N Islands Forest Produce Transit
Rules, it has now been made mandatory for all persons engaged in import,
sale and manufacture of furniture etc. to maintain a record of receipt of
timber and its disposal. The timber and other forest produce stored in the
premises of the traders and the records thereof shall be open to
inspection by any forest officer. The Cash Memos and Bill Books used by
private traders will have to be duly approved and authenticated by the
DFO.

The furniture makers shall henceforth be required to file a return in a
prescribed form showing the total quantity of sawn timber and other forest
produce received and total quantity of furniture and other items produced,
sold and balance in stock.

The rules further say that, The saws used in the furniture mart should be
exclusively for the purpose of manufacture of furniture or other items and
shall not be used for sawing/re-sawing of any log or sawn timber not
belonging to the furniture mart or not meant for manufacture of any item,
in the said furniture mart or unit.

It is a matter of common knowledge that boat loads of illegally sawn
padauk from Diglipur and other places provided the Oxygen and Dextrose to
the furniture industry deprived of nutrition under SC Orders. We welcome
the stand of the Forest Department to in trying to control the
considerable illegal logging and conversion. But we are apprehensive that
a mere amendment of the rules may not achieve the desired results. After
all the saws do not have a memory of what they had cut, while the human
beings behind the saws may deviously forget the rules at specified times.

But, overall, we must express our appreciation for the positive action
initiated by the Forest Department. They deserve our cooperation and
support in furthering our mutual cause.

The area of the Jarawa Reserve has not been increased by 180 sq. mts as
mentioned in the just posted Press Release, but by 180 Sq. Kms.

thanks
pankaj
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

PRESS RELEASE
Andaman and Nicobar Administration Directorate of IP&T

Port Blair, September 15, 2004.

  RESERVE AREA FOR JARAWAS EXTENDED

              In order to increase the extent of reserve area of Jarawas and
to protect their resource base, A&N Administration has issued a Notification
increasing the Jarawa Reserve area by about 180 sq.mtrs. by adding land area
starting from Jirkatang to Potatang on right side of Andaman Trunk Road and
from 24 K.Mtrs point of ATR road of Uttara jetty to Chainpur Nallah in the
form of tribal reserve with immediate effect.  It excludes the Andaman Trunk
Road and the jetty areas of Middle Strait - Nilambur and  Gandhighat  -
Uttara.  The above notification is issued in the back-ground of detailed
discussions held on the protection of Jarawas in the open house discussion/
seminar held in the recent past and on the recommendations of Andaman Adim
Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS).

  Earlier committee constituted under the chairmanship of PCCF including
representative of Zilla Parishad looked into the entire matter.  It was also
recommended by the committee that 3 Nos. of forest camps and 13 Nos. of
Jarawa Protection Post  (JPP) of Police and two Nos. of APWD camps at Jhinga
Nallah and Prolobjig No.3 located in the vicinity and within the tribal
reserve may be withdrawn. Action is taken by Police and Forest departments
for withdrawal of such camps as recommended by the Committee and AAJVS.  The
forest camps at Potatang, Boroinyol No.7 and Jirkatang camp No.7 have
already  been withdrawn.  The camp of PWD and Forest at Jingha Nallah and
Beachdera are also to be shifted to the Revenue area near Jirkatang Camp
No.2.



             These measures have been taken to reduce the interaction of
non-tribals with jarawas.  The Forest Department and Police have worked out
a Joint Action Plan for prevention of poaching in the fringe areas of tribal
reserve.  Enforcement teams have been constituted by Forest Department also.
It may be recalled that a poaching team was apprehended in Shoal Bay Creek
and prosecuted recently.



             The coastal waters upto 5 km from High Tide Line (HTL) on the
western side i.e. Constance Bay of South Andaman to Lewis inlet of Middle
Andaman is also included in the tribal reserve, which constitute the fishing
areas of jarawas.  Non-tribals are advised not to go for fishing in the belt
of 5 km of High Tide Line on the western side of South & Middle Andaman
Islands to avoid any possibility of entry into the reserve area.




C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

PRESS RELEASE
Andaman and Nicobar Administration Directorate of IP&T

Port Blair, September 25, 2004.


LG Visits Little Andaman


           The Lt. Governor, Prof. Ram Kapse, paid a day's visit to Little
Andaman today. He was accompanied by the First Lady of A & N Islands, Smt.
Smita Kapse, Chief Secretary, Secretary (Education) and Secretary (Tribal
Welfare). In the morning the Lt. Governor visited the Onge Settlement at
Dugong Creek where he inspected the primary school, Onge Hut and distributed
gifts to the Onge population at the community hall. The Lt. Governor
enquired about various facilities extended to them by the Administration and
inspected the settlement area. At Ramakrishnapur, the Lt. Governor inspected
the Primary Health Centre and Govt. School. He interacted with the teachers
and stressed the importance of imparting good education to students. Public
representatives of RK Pur also met the Lt. Governor and discussed with him
issues pertaining to the area. Thereafter, the Lt. Governor visited RK Pur
dam site and was briefed by the PWD authorities about the status of water
supply system in Little Andaman. The Lt. Governor also visited the Butler
Bay beach and White Surf water falls and enquired about various eco-tourism
facilities available for tourists.

           In the afternoon the Lt. Governor chaired a meeting of local body
representatives and Govt. servants of Little Andaman and discussed various
issues pertaining to the region. The Lt. Governor inspected the Development
Communication Network established at Hut Bay by Govt. Polytechnic.

           On completion of visit the Lt. Governor returned to Port Blair  in
the evening.



C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

The Daily Telegrams / Sept. 24, 2004
Prog. with Tribal Litterateurs

Port Blair, Sept. 23

    The Anthropological Survey of India, A&N Regional Centre, Port Blair in
association with Sahitya Akademy will be organizing a programme with
Nicobarese and Andamanese Litterateurs titled 'Ashmita' in the conference
hall of ASI at 4.30 pm on Sept 27, 2004.

    The Lt. Governor Prof. Ram Kapse will be the chief guest on the occasion.
According to the programme, invocation will be presented by Great Andamanese
boys, a communication said here.


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear friends

Pls find the declaration from the National Assembly of Tribal, Indigenous and
Adivasi Peoples, New Delhi, 20-22 September 2004.

best

Roy Laifungbam
CORE
---------------------------
Delhi Declaration of the Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples of India on the
draft National Policy for Tribals

Final Declaration of the National Assembly

of Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples

New Delhi, 21 September 2004

I. Preamble

   1.. We, the Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi delegations gathered here in New
Delhi, with our friends, allies and supporters, at the National Assembly of
Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples from 20-22 September 2004, unanimously
and on behalf of our peoples, reject the draft National Policy on Tribals
proposed by the Government of India.
   2.. This position is based on a series of local, zonal, state level and
regional consultations over the last few months involving hundreds of tribal,
indigenous and adivasi representatives along with our allies and supporters.
Regional consultations were held in North Eastern region (2-4 June 2004 at
Village Akajan, Assam), Eastern region (24-25 July 2004 at Ranchi, Jharkhand),
Southern region (4-6 September 2004 at Bangalore, Karnataka), and Western region
(9-10 September 2004 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat).

   We reject this draft National Policy for Tribals because:



   3.. Without proper process in drafting, a document that hopes to stand as the
comprehensive articulation of the rights, survival and development of India's
most marginalized communities, its Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples and
the concomitant responsibilities and obligations of the State, cannot hope to
achieve its goal.


   4.. Without specific reference to our human rights and constitutional rights,
individual and collective, in the document, the root cause of the desperate
situation faced by us due to discrimination and disregard for their rights
cannot be addressed at all;



   5.. Existing and developing international norms and standards of rights and
the clear commitment to the provisions of the Constitution of India must be the
basis of this policy document. Without a clear respect for and a committed
articulation of our status, culture and identity, under constitutional and
international law and developing norms the full achievement of our rights will
not be possible;



   6.. The absence of transparent, participatory and inclusive process, the
secrecy in which it was drafted and the apparent haste in which it is sought to
be finalized;


   7.. The stated objective of this policy, i.e. mainstreaming and assimilation
violates our rights. This demonstrates a complete absence of respect for the
diversity of Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples and their difference from
other peoples and cultures of India;
   8.. The language of the draft policy uses unacceptable, offensive and
derogatory definitions and descriptions;
   9.. There is inadequate stress on implementation of existing protective
safeguards and legislation such as Schedules V and VI;
   10.. There is lack of consistency and clear recognition of rights to ancestral
lands, territories and natural resources, insufficient protection against forced
relocation and eviction and inadequate provision for rehabilitation;
   11.. There is also no recognition, protection or promotion of our customary
laws, practices and governance systems, and an absence of provision for free and
prior informed consent (FPIC);
   12.. There is an unacceptable absence of our rights to identity and self -
identification and no recognition of the rights of self determined development
or protection from adverse impact of liberalization, privatization and
globalization;
   13.. The current development model that has been adversely affecting our
livelihoods and well-being is not recognized in the draft.
   14.. The draft policy lacks the integrated development approach and completely
neglects the economic aspects of our development.
   15.. There is insufficient protection for our knowledge and traditional
knowledge holders, no provisions for our education systems including languages,
histories, technologies, etc. or for educating dominant sections of society
about our culture, world-view, ethos, etc.;
   16.. There is no respect or protection for our religions and spiritual
practices, for our sacred sites or spiritual institutions and practitioners;
   17.. There is inadequate provision for equal access to general education or
health support services;
   18.. There is no protection or recognition of our approaches to health and
systems of healing;
   19.. Additionally, the draft Policy has no gender perspective or articulated
position on the question of women's rights, no acknowledgement of the States'
obligations towards children's rights and no provisions for youth including
protection from negative impacts of changing social environment;
   20.. There is also no reference to problems of increasing militarization of
our lands;
   21.. There is no reference to the urgent and anticipated increased need for
conflict resolution and peace promotion using our strategies, customary laws and
reconciliation mechanisms among Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples;
   II. Non-Negotiable Principles for a National Policy for Tribal, Indigenous and
Adivasi Peoples

   v.. Principles of Fundamental Respect of Difference, by which is implied the
acceptance and respect for different societies with their distinct identity,
culture, ethos and ways of life.
   w.. Principles of Recognition of the Natural and Juridical Socio-Economic,
Cultural and Political Rights of Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi communities by
which is implied the recognition of the Rights to
     1.. Life and livelihood with dignity
     2.. Land, including our ancestral homelands and command over our natural
resources, and protection and regeneration of natural resources in our lands
     3.. Express and uphold our distinct identities, cultures, ethos and ways of
life
     4.. Protect and advance our traditional systems of governance, customary
laws and jurisprudence
     5.. Protect and further our own cultures and civilizations
     6.. Self-governance and determination of our development and our futures
   x.. Principles of Participation and Primacy of the People in formulation of
laws and policies that affect us.
   y.. Principles of Responsibility of the State to safeguard the rights and
genuine aspirations of our peoples and ensure their fulfillment.
   z.. Principles of Responsibility of the State to rectify historical injustices
and restore our legitimate rights.
III. In the face of the grave threat to our present and future, we are still
willing to hope and look forward to a better future and affirm that any Policy
concerning us should guarantee the following inalienable rights:

   1.. Amendment to the Constitution of India to remove the derogatory reference
to Scheduled Tribe as per Article 342 and our identities recognized according to
the international understanding of Indigenous Peoples, viz., ILO Convention No.
169*
   2.. The rights of vanishing, nomadic, de-notified, and other particularly
vulnerable groups to special provisions and protection must be ensured
   3.. The Government will adopt the relevant standards set by the United Nations
system, including ILO 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples
   4.. Self-Governance according to customary laws and practices in accordance
with principles of equality and human rights
   5.. Inclusion under the Scheduled Areas of all Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi
areas, traditional or ancestral areas of habitation, areas or where a
significant Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi population lives, extension of the VI
Schedule to V Schedule areas and administrative re-organization of such areas
under Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi self rule
   6.. Respect for our identities, ethos and ways of life, religions, sacred
sites and festivals. Recognition of our histories, particularly our struggles
for freedom, preservation and maintenance of historic and sacred places
   7.. The absolute command over natural resources in our ancestral homelands.
Access to such resources only with the consent of and gains accruing to the
community
   8.. Freedom from economic, social and political marginalization, gender
discrimination where it is practiced, exploitation, deprivation, atrocities and
violence
   9.. A self determined development paradigm assuring dignified, sustainable and
enriched livelihoods, which includes fulfillment of basic human needs and other
amenities like meaningful and culturally appropriate education and adequate
health care, well-being and social advancement of the community
   10.. Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples shall not be evicted from
traditional lands. Resettlement of displaced populations shall not occur on our
lands.
   11.. Those who have been displaced must be identified and rehabilitated
acceptable to the displaced communities without delay;
   12.. Imparting of primary education in our languages through local teachers.
Setting up of Universities and centers of Higher Learning and Research promote
and protect our languages, cultures, arts and traditional knowledge systems. Any
research conducted among us requires our full prior and informed consent.
Findings of such research must be fed back to the people;
   13.. A culturally sensitive gender perspective and an articulated position
reiterating international standards on women's rights;
   14.. The acknowledgement of the State's obligations towards children's rights;
   15.. Provisions for youth including protection from negative impacts of
changing social environment;
   16.. Appropriate measures to remove existing military and unified command
installations from our lands or areas and restriction on additional and further
installations;
   17.. Conflict resolution and peace promotion using indigenous strategies,
customary laws and reconciliation mechanisms among us must be promoted.
   18.. Primacy of the National Policy on the Tribals to be re-named the National
Policy on Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples with the over-riding effect of
this Policy in the event of conflict with any other laws or policies such as the
Land Acquisition, Forest, Wildlife or Protection Laws and all other laws or
polices affecting us.
Nothing in this declaration may be construed as diminishing or extinguishing
existing or future rights that any Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples may
have or acquire in the future.

Annexures: Declarations and Statements of the Regional Consultations

Adopted by Proclamation

21 September 2004

New Delhi

*A reservation has been made to Section III paragraph 1 of the Declaration by
the delegations from Assam until its provisions have been thoroughly examined,
their implications understood and ratified by the Executive Committees of their
respective organisations.



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

Appeal to public to pass on historical documents reiterated
The Daily Telegrams / Sept. 18, 2004

Port Blair, Sept 17

    A Central Records Section (Archives Unit) is functioning in the
Secretariat complex of A & N Administration adjacent to the main building.
More than 50,000 files/records and other valuable records/ documents of
Administrative and Historical values on topics such as impact of Japanese
occupation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, old Land Revenue Records, past
history of U.T. Administration etc. are preserved in the Central Records
Section (Archives Unit) of A & N Administration.

    The functioning of the Central Records Section is bound by the provisions
of the "Public Records Act, 1993" and Rules framed under the Act. Any
bonafide Research Scholar can have access to records/files kept in the
Records Room which are more than thirty years old by applying in Form No.8
as prescribed in  "Public Records Rules, 1997" to Administration for
research/reference purpose which can either be downloaded from the official
web site of A&N Admn. www. and nic.in or obtained  in person from the
Central Records Section of Secretariat. Apart from research scholars various
Govt. Departments/Sections also refer to the old files/documents kept in the
Central Records Section from time to time.  About 400 files/documents kept
in the Central Records Room used for reference purposes every year.

     The task of survey and listing of records/documents, photographs,
manuscripts etc., pertaining to the history of A&N Islands, has been
undertaken by the "Regional Records Survey Committee" constituted by A&N
Administration.  An appeal was also made earlier to individuals/Institutions
with whom such details are available to come forward to share their
records/documents either in original or in copies with A&N Administration.

In response to the appeal of the Committee, Shri M.A.Mujtaba, a Retd.
Principal of A & N Administration and Shri Mukeshwar Lall, R/o Aberdeen
Bazaar have donated valuable records/documents pertaining to "British
occupation" of A & N Islands to the Central Records Section/Archives Unit.
The A&N Administration reiterates its appeal and request the General
Public/institutions who are in possession of such valuable historical
documents/records to share the same with the Archives Unit of A & N
Administration. Due recognition will be given by A&N Administration to those
who come forward for this noble cause.

     For further information and clarification, if any, Shri P.K.Hasan Ali,
Assistant Archivist, Central Records Section, Secretariat, A & N
Administration (Phone No. 230695) may be contacted on all working days.


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear Friends,
The A&N Administration has amended the area of the Jarawa Reserve. The text
of the notification dated Sept. 15, 2004 is pasted below. Without a map its
difficult to get a sense of what exactly this means on the ground. It does
seem however that the area has of the reserve has been increased. Can
someone, in Port Blair, perhaps Samir could give us further information
about this.

The notification is posted on the website www.and.nic.in

pankaj

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ADMINISTRATION
SECRETARIAT
Port Blair, dated the 15 th September 2004
NOTIFICATION
No.159/2004/F.No./1-752/2002-TW (PF). On the recommendation of Andaman Adim
Janjati Vikas Samiti
to increase the resource base of Jarawas and in exercise of the powers
conferred by the sub section (1) of
Section 3 of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes)
Regulation, 1956 (Regulation No. 3
of 1956) and in supersession of the Administration's notification No.
1077/F. No. 40-243/78-TW dated 19 th July,
1979 and notification No. 1-324/82-TW dated 09/04/1984, the Lt. Governor,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands hereby
declares the following areas in South and Middle Andaman as reserved areas
for the purpose of the said
Regulation, namely: -
South Andaman:
The part of South Andaman Island situated in the west of the imaginary
boundary line starting from the
mouth of Constance Bay (East Longitude 92 0 34 ' 03" and North Latitude 11 0
39 ' 52 " ) proceeds towards north up to
mouth of Banjlungtajig (East Longitude 92 0 35 ' 20 "
and North Latitude 11 0 42 ' 18 " ) and proceeds
towards east through the mangrove swamp and
meets a point (East Longitude 92 0 36 ' 26 " and North
Latitude 11 0 42 ' 31 " ). Then the boundary proceeds
North and follows the ridge (East Longitude 92 0 36 '
26" and North Latitude 11 0 43' 51") and meets a
point (East Longitude 92 0 36 ' 59" and North Latitude
11 0 44' 25") and then boundary turns South East and
proceeds through a point (East Longitude 92 0 37 ' 20"
and North Latitude 11 0 44' 15") and further proceeds
towards North through a point (East Longitude 92 0
37 ' 46" and North Latitude 11 0 46' 14") and thence
proceeds towards North-East and joins a point 30 M
West of center line of Andaman Trunk Road at
milestone of 52 Kms point on Chidiyatapu to Middle
Strait Andaman Trunk Road, from where the
boundary proceeds along side the Andaman Trunk
Road excluding area of Mile Tilak village and all
allotted land of Jirkatang area up to the milestone of
61 Kms. The boundary then turns towards east and
follows the ridge of 100 M height point (East
Longitude 92 0 40 ' 10" and North Latitude 11 0 51' 35")
and proceeds further South-East and passes
through the 123 M height ridge (East Longitude 92 0
41 ' 02" and North Latitude 11 0 51' 12") and further
proceeds South-East and meets a point (East
Longitude 92 0 42 ' 26" and North Latitude 11 0 50' 11") and finally joins
Mangrove Creek at point (East Longitude
92 0 42 ' 15" and North Latitude 11 0 49' 57") and afterwards follows
through the mangrove creek and then western
bank of Shoal Bay Creek and thereafter proceeds North along the eastern
coast of South Andaman Island
(excluding James, Kyd, other Islands and islets) and follows Amita Boicha
Passage and then follows Southern bank of Middle Strait excluding Middle
Strait Jetty / harbour, Belle Island, Boning Islands, Oralkatcha, Baby
Islands, Stoat Island and Talakaicha Island. Then the boundary follows
Middle Strait towards northwards via
Needham reach passage, enclosing Bluff and Spike Islands and then follows
Homfray's Strait up to Yeratiljig
Creek mouth.
Middle Andaman
From the above point namely the mouth of Yeratiljig creek (East Longitude 92
0 44 ' and North Latitude 12 0
18' 23") boundary in Middle Andaman follows Yeratiljig creek along western
bank excluding village area of
Kadamtala and boundary finally meeting milestone of 142 Kms on ATR (i.e. 12
Kms milestone from Uttara Jetty).
Then it follows the ATR leaving 30 M from the center line of road up to 24
Km point of the Andaman Trunk Road
from Uttara Jetty and thence the boundary follows the ridge of 100 M height
point (East Longitude 92 0 47' 20" and
North Latitude 12 0 30'), ridge of 104 M height point (East Longitude 92 0
47' 55" and North Latitude 12 0 31' 10"),
ridge of 122 M height point (East Longitude 92 0 48' 21" and North Latitude
12 0 32' 24"), ridge of 168 M height
(East Longitude 92 0 48' 28" and North Latitude 12 0 32' 45"), ridge of 122
M height point (East Longitude 92 0 49'
02" and North Latitude 12 0 33' 39"), ridge of 125 M height point (East
Longitude 92 0 50' 34" and North Latitude
12 0 35' 50"), ridge of 132 M height point (East Longitude 92 0 50' 21" and
North Latitude 12 0 36' 45") and meets
the origin of Pichar Nallah (East Longitude 92 0 50' 28" and North Latitude
12 0 37' 33",i.e. the old Kalsi 4 No. JPP).
Then the boundary follows towards Northwards following the ridge of 68 M
height point (East Longitude 92 0 50'
23" and North Latitude 12 0 38' 37"), ridge of 73 M height point (East
Longitude 92 0 50' 17" and North Latitude 12 0
39' 48") then turns North-East and follows the ridge of 194 M height point
(East Longitude 92 0 51' 10" and North
Latitude 12 0 41' 55") and then the boundary turns to North-West and passes
through the ridge of 201 M height
point (East Longitude 92 0 49' 30" and North Latitude 12 0 42' 48") and
ridge of 100 M height point (East Longitude
92 0 48' 40" and 12 0 43' 05") and meets the Chainpur Nallah in mangrove
swamp at a point (East Longitude 92 0
48' 06" and North Latitude 12 0 43' 14") then proceeds towards west through
Chainpur Nallah and meets a point
having East Longitude 92 0 47' 02" and North Latitude 12 0 43' 27" and then
boundary follows southwards through
the mangrove swamp following western bank of Chainpur Nallah and finally
meets sea through Lewis Inlet.
The existing belt of 200 metres from the central line of Andaman Trunk Road,
on either side is restricted
to 30 metres on either side of the ATR except at Nilambur-Middle Strait and
Uttara-Gandhighat where the existing
jetty and port facilities will continue to be outside the reserved area. The
above reserve is also extended to
coastal waters up to a distance of 5 Km from the high tide line on the
western side of the South and Middle
Andaman Islands from Constance Bay to Lewis Inlet Bay.
By Order
Sd/-
Assistant Secretary (Tribal Welfare)
(2004/T2-Jarawa notification)

C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

The Daily Telegram / Sept. 19, 2004
ANC participates in coastal cleanup drive in a big way

Port Blair 18 Sep 04
    On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day yesterday, Andaman &
Nicobar Command consisting of Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard
undertook the activities to clean up the coast line at various places in
these Islands.

   According to an ANC release, the Army Component of the Command carried out
cleanup activity at Nariyal Bagicha and Chidiya Tapu in which 387 Army
personnel, 58 civilians and 48 School children participated and more than
300 gash bags of non-bio degradable garbage were collected. Naval Component
also participated in a big way.

    Apart from this, Naval Ships were set sail to the distant places such as
Mayabunder and Rangat, and a total of 1125 volunteers including family
members and school children participated in this cleanup operation at Ross
Island, Navy Bay, Mayabunder and Kamorta and more than 1500 gash bags of
debris were collected. Similarly, Air Force Component carried out clean ship
drive at Wandoor beach and Carnicobar in which large number of personnel
took part and more than 200 trash bags weighing 800 Kgs of garbage and trash
were collected.

    The Coast Guard Component took up the responsibility of cleaning up
coasts at Carbyn Cove, Diglipur, Ross and Smith Island and in south at
Campbell Bay and collected more than 800 bags of garbage.

    The magnitude of the coastal Cleanup drive was so big that the Chief of
Staff, Rear Admiral Rakesh Kala himself visited clean up sites at many
places and lauded the efforts put in by all the participants. He also
stressed the need to develop awareness amongst the population about the
dangers of non-bio degradable waste and the need to shun plastic. The
Component Commanders, Chief Staff Officers, Commanding Officers of the units
and other senior officers of the Command not only supervised the Coastal
Cleanup drive but also participated in person wholeheartedly, the release
added.


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

The Daily Telegrams / Sept. 22, 2004
50th Wildlife Week Celebration; elaborate progs. drawn up

Port Blair, Sept. 21

    Together with the rest of the country the Wildlife Week will be
celebrated from October 2 to 8th to rededicate ourselves towards
conservation of our rich floral and faunal wealth, In this connection, the
wildlife wing of the department of Environment and Forest, A&N Islands has
drawn up elaborate programmes to celebrate the 50th wildlife week, 2004 in
these islands in a befitting manner.

    Accordingly, a rally for the cause of wildlife conservaion will be
organized on Oct. 3, 2004 at 6.30 am from Van Sadan to Netaji Stadium. An
interschool quiz competition will be held on Oct 4, 2004 at Van Sadan
Conference hall. While, a debate competition for both school and college
students will be organized on Oct 5, 2004 at 1000 hrs at the same venue on
the topics 'Are wildlife to be conserved? and 'do we need zoological
gardens?' for school and college students respectively.

    An interschool monoact/skit competition on theme related to pressing
environmental issues will be organized on Oct 6,2004 at 5.30 pm at mini Zoo
Auditorium. An essay competition will be held at Mini Zoo on Oct 6, 2004
between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm on the topics 'need for wildlife conservation
and need for environmental conservation' for school students of junior and
senior category respectively.

    Painting competition for school students of Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior
category will be conducted by the respective schools, Poster and Photo
competition will be organized and will be open to all. The theme for poster
competition include 'Tropical rain forest of Andamans, and underwater marine
world of A&N Islands.' The theme for Photo competition include 'Wildlife
tourism destination in Andaman, and wildlife of A&N Islands.' The size of
the Poster should be 28"/22" and the Photograph should be 10"x12". The name,
address and contact number of the participant should be written at the
reverse side of the entry. The photograph should be sent alongwith the
negatives. Each participant can send a maximum of two entries on each theme.
The last date of submission of entry for both Photo and Poster competition
will be Oct 5, 2004.

    In addition to these bird watching / nature camp for college students
will be organised on Oct 5, 2004 with the objective to provide exposure to
the students about the flora and fauna of our islands, the principles,
concepts, policies and law related to wildlife management, a communication
from the DCF, WD-1 said here.


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear Friends
In response to Shri. Pankaj's email  I have tried to summarize my Ph.D
work on the Nicobar megapode which was carried out  between 1995-1998.
Very soon I will be starting a population monitoring programme on this
species with the collaboration of the Forest Department, ANI. You may be
interested to know something about the Nicobar Megapode.

With regards
Siva


The Nicobar Megapode: A study on breeding biology

The family Megapodiidae consists of 22 species in seven genera, most of
which are island forms occurring in Australia, New Guinea and
surrounding islands, eastern Indonesia, the Philippines, Niuafo'ou
island, the Palau and Mariana islands and the Nicobar islands. Thirteen
of these 22 species are currently threatened by habitat destruction,
introduction of predators and over-exploitation of eggs. The megapodes
are a unique group of birds as they utilise external sources of heat to
incubate their eggs. Megapodes exploit external heat sources in two
ways. Some  species lay eggs in burrows of geothermally heated soils, or
on exposed beaches, and are called burrow nesters (e.g. Macrocephalon
maleo). Other species construct mounds of sand, soil and  decomposing
vegetation within which they lay eggs and are called mound nesters (e.g.
Megapodius freycinet).

The Nicobar Megapode  Megapodius nicobariensis is a mound building
megapode, endemic to the Nicobar group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The polytypic Nicobar Megapode has two subspecies M. n. nicobariensis
Blyth, in the Nancowry group of islands north of the Sombrero channel,
and M. n. abbotti Oberholser, which is found in the Great Nicobar group
of islands lying south of the Sombrero channel.

  Megapode mounds are amongst the largest structures made by any
non-colonial animal, and represent the harnessing of the energy produced
by microbial respiration, and/or solar radiation  by concentrating
suitable material to provide optimal incubation conditions at about
33-34o C. Three major aspects of this unique breeding strategy were
examined by this study.

  First, incubation mounds vary considerably in size, location and
composition, the majority of which are constructed in a narrow strip of
flat coastal forest. Moreover, the distribution and density of the
Nicobar Megapode and its mound varies within this coastal habitat. Thus,
the microhabitat requirements of the Nicobar megapode was studied,
particularly as its habitat is vulnerable to change due to human activity.

  Second, variability in size, composition and location of incubation
mounds indicates that the mounds differ in their source of heat. The
sources of temperature,  its regulation and stability were studied to
understand the effect of mound types and dimensions on the number of
pairs that use a mound, the number of eggs laid and the hatching success.

  Third, the social organisation of the megapodes is poorly understood.
The social organisation of the Nicobar Megapode was studied to
understand the behavioural consequences of an incubation mound nesting
system.

  The field  studies  were carried out in a 4.5 km strip of coastal
forest at the southern tip of  Great Nicobar island. Field studies were
conducted between December 1995 and July 1996, December 1996 and June
1997, September 1997 and October 1997, and February 1998 and May 1998,
covering three dry  seasons (peak period of egg-laying) and part of one
wet season.

  In 1996, the study area was systematically surveyed and mapped, on
which all active mounds present were plotted. Vegetation of the study
area was classified into fourteen subtypes that were dominated by one or
more species. These patches were measured and plotted on the  map. To
understand the abundance and dominance of trees, ten 20m x 50m  quadrats
were laid in the study area.  All the trees with a girth at breast
height (GBH) of 25 cm and  above were sampled. Habitat use by megapodes
was assessed by plotting sightings and calls heard according to the
micro habitat patch that they occurred in. Habitat preference was
arrived at by comparing the available area of the microhabitat with
number of mounds present, and of sightings and calls of the bird. This
data was used to identify a) the microhabitat preference for the
construction of incubation mound, b) the microhabitat preference of the
Nicobar Megapode during dry and wet seasons.

  Sandy substrate and the habitat that was dominated by  Pandanus spp.
was the preferred  area for the construction of the incubation mound of
the Nicobar Megapode. Habitat with a sandy substrate was utilised more
by the birds during the dry season while in the wet season sandy-loam
substrate was utilised more. Of the 14 habitats, Sterculia sp. dominated
habitat, Pandanus spp. dominated habitat, dense Pandanus with Macaranga
peltata  dominated habitat,  and  Dracaena sp. dominated habitat, were
the most preferred habitats.  Microhabitats dominated by Macaranga
peltata were used more during the wet season than the dry season, while
there was no difference between the seasons, in selection and
utilisation of other microhabitats.

  All the incubation mounds in the study area were visited at least twice
every day, during which, the presence of the birds on the mound, or the
signs of birds on the mound subsequent to the previous visit were noted.
The megapodes were intensively observed from observation hides
constructed at four different mounds. The activities of the birds were
classified into: Visit, pit-digging, egg-laying,  raking, covering ,
pits-filled, and miscellaneous activities. The intensity of digging
activity was measured by counting the kick rates. The data collected was
used to examine a) the process of mound construction and maintenance,
and b) the contribution of sexes to mound construction and maintenance.

  Both partners of the pair equally participated in the mound
construction and maintenance, which starts from pit-digging and
concludes with raking and covering the incubation mound such that all
pits present were filled and the surface of the mound is smooth.
Pit-digging was the major mound activity followed by the raking during
the dry season (peak period for egg-laying).  In the wet season raking
was the major mound activity followed by digging. Egg laying was not
observed during the wet season.

  In 1996, four temperature probes were implanted at depths between 20
and 75 cm, in seven mounds that had been selected for intensive studies.
However, after about two months these probes malfunctioned, probably due
to high humidity and rainfall. In 1997, a temperature probe placing at
the tip of a one metre long steel tube  was inserted to depths of 30, 60
and 90 cm in the mound. By this method,  the temperature of all the
mounds in the study area was measured once a month and for the target
mounds once every 10 or 15 days. Microbial activity was measured using a
soil respirometer (PP Systems EGM-1 Environmental Gas Monitor with a
SRC-1 Soil Respiration System), once every 10 or 15 days. Apart from
soil respiration and temperature, intensity of light falling upon the
mound, the amount of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) falling
upon the mound and PAR absorbed by the mound were measured by using a
Sunfleck Ceptometer. The data was used to examine a) temperature sources
of incubation mound, b) the effect of incubation mound size on the
incubation temperature, c) the effect of soil respiration and light
intensity on the incubation temperature, d) the effects of incubation
mound size on egg-laying and hatching success and e) the effect of
incubation mound activity on the mound size  and egg-laying.

  Microbial activity as assessed from the soil respiration, appears to be
the primary source of heat in the incubation mound of the Nicobar
Megapode.  Solar energy warm the surface of the mound, whereby
dissipation of heat could have been reduced. Large sized mound attract
more birds and therefore more eggs were laid in them, but there was no
relationship between the  hatching success and the mound size.

  During the study period, 28 megapodes were colour marked. Of these,
both sexes were colour marked in five pairs, one bird each of 16 pairs
and two unpaired birds.  The sightings of all colour marked birds were
plotted on detailed maps of the study area. The megapodes were
intensively observed from the observation hides constructed at four
mounds and opportunistically away from the hides. Size of the home range
was estimated by using minimum area polygon. The data was used to
examine a) the pair bond, b) pair formation, c) copulation & displays,
d) establishment of territory, e) territory size and fidelity, f)
agonistic interactions between megapodes.

  Although the Nicobar megapode is largely monogamous, temporary bonds,
change of partners, and extra pair copulation were present. There was no
pre- and post-copulation display. However, they exhibited synchronous
behaviour such as dueting. A mound was used by more than one pair, and
pairs used more than one mound. During egg-laying, a pair established a
territory at a mound which was strongly defended from others who used
the same mound at the same period.. The territories varied in size and
changed in location according to the hierarchial status of the pair at
the mound, and whether it was laying eggs. The average size of the
territory was 0.81 ha (SE 0.12), the minimum territory size was 0.19 and
2.28 ha was maximum.

  The Nicobar Megapode is omnivorous. Cockroaches, snails, and seeds of
Macaranga peltata are the most preferred foods of this bird. Both male
and female equally spent on the foraging ground. Rainfall and egg
production linked via food availability. Frequent rains in dry season
increased the food availability and egg production.

  The hatching and emergence of chicks from the mound was observed in
five cases. The climb of the hatchling from the egg chamber to the
surface is a long process that can take up to 83.8 hours (SE=12.7,
max=118, min=48), and the mean rate of movement was about 1.25cm per
hour (SE=0.07, n=5). As soon as the chick emerged out from the mound
they performed both body and leg preening. Some of the chicks were born
with eye disorder. Considering how alert the chicks are, it is likely
that those preyed upon by the predators were also born with the eye
disorder.

  The Nicobar Megapode nesting grounds attracted a wide range of
predators as the main potential prey M. n. abbotti occurs in three types
eggs, chicks and adults. Monitor lizard Varanus salvator, raptors, man,
python, cat, dog and some invertebrates preyed the eggs or chicks or
adult megapodes. Monitor lizard not only fed the eggs of the megapode
and also laid its own


(K Sivakumar)

  Wildlife Institute of India

Dear Friends,
Here is the synopsis of the PhD study on the Corals of the Mahatma Gandhi
National Park, by Sarang Kulkarni. sarang@...
If there are other such studies on various aspects of the islands that you
are aware of, please do post these too, particularly individuals who are
members of this egroup themselves and have studied aspects of the islands.
pankaj

Synopsis

'Community structure and spatio-temporal changes in reefs corals in Mahatma
Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman Islands: Its Conservation Implications'

Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive communities on the
Earth. They are found in the warm, clear and shallow waters of tropical
oceans worldwide. The coral reefs are primarily created by reef building
corals and various types of calcareous algae. Reef building corals are of
particular importance because they generate much of the three-dimensional
shapes and structure that characterize the reef habitat and they are the
foundations and origin of thousands of oceanic islands. The different parts
of the reef are used for feeding, for spawning, as nursery grounds and for
shelter. An important function of fringing reefs along the wave-swept shores
is preventing coastal erosion and storm damage. This is particularly
important for regions with low-lying coastal plains, where fringing and
barrier reefs protect coast from the ravages of tropical storms and tidal
waves. Fringing reefs are self repairing breakwaters which permit the
continued existence of hundreds of atolls and numerous other low tropical
islands, as well as protecting thousands of miles of continental coastline.
Entire island archipelagos owe their existence to the reef building process
of past millennia and the protective role of sea-level reefs. These islands
are valuable for local communities for their subsistence, security and
cultural value to the communities inhabiting islands and coasts of tropical
nations and recreation areas. Protection from disturbance in such critical
habitats is also essential for maintaining higher fisheries return.

Coral reefs are very sensitive to disturbances whether they are natural or
anthropogenic. Mortality due to natural physical and biological disturbances
is a routine process that is vital to the maintenance of diversity in coral
reefs and many other systems. However, over the last few decades, coral
reefs are being degraded on a global scale by a wide range of impacts and
their very existence is threatened by various causes such as, global warming
and sea level changes, Storms, predation by the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish,
diseases, industrial pollution, overexploitation of reef resources,
destructive fishing practices, tourism and sedimentation.
Bio monitoring of the coral reef community and its condition has often been
a purpose of surveys. A major consideration in coral reef survey studies for
bio-monitoring purposes is how to measure coral stress responses and how to
relate it to the relevant environmental variables.
In India, major coral reef formations occur in the Lakshadweep, Andaman &
Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar and the Gulf of Kachchh. The Andaman and
Nicobar groups of islands are one of the most biodiversity-rich regions of
India. The coral reefs of these islands represent the westernmost limit of
the Indo-Pacific coral reef.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, predation by A.  planci, sedimentation,
cyclones, and to some extent a rise in sea surface temperature are thought
to be the major disturbance agents.  And yet, most of the reefs of Andaman
and Nicobar neither have  been studied over time nor monitored properly.
Therefore it is difficult to gauge what effect all these disturbances are
having on the ecosystem so that effective management strategies can be put
into place for their conservation.
The objective of this study was mainly to undertake systematic quantitative
and qualitative studies to understand structure and composition of coral
communities in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP), Andaman Islands.
This study also aimed to address some functional aspects of this ecosystem.
Another important objective was to address issues of impacts of human
interference on the coral communities.
The study of water characteristics such as salinity, visibility and
sedimentation indicates that the salinity didn't changes significantly
during monsoon, thus it will have very little impact on reefs.  The
visibility fluctuated throughout the year due to either tidal currents or
fresh water influx during monsoon. Sedimentation rate increased
significantly during monsoon. The average sedimentation rate in MGMNP is
higher than threshold to coral reef growth. The critical habitats, land-use
pattern in around MGMNP was mapped with the help of remote sensing and are
discussed.

The coral biodiversity study has recorded 60 species and 8 genera for the
first time for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The spatial and temporal
patterns of coral community structure were studied for three years to
understand the function of the coral reef communities. The trend of pattern
shows that Porites is dominated all communities except in Twins islands due
to its tolerance to sedimentation. The live coral cover in exposed reefs
indicates that reefs in MGMNP have not been recovered since 1990 after out
break of Crown of Thorn star fish. However, since 1990 till now the coral
communities has gone under tremendous change. In 1990, coral community's
dominance was shared by Acropora and Porites. However, now these communities
dominated mainly by Porites. This attributed towards the stress tolerance of
Porites and sensitiveness of Acropora.

Overall live cover was not changed significantly in MGMNP, but showed
increase in low sedimentation reefs and reduction in intermediate and high
sedimentation reefs. The negative correlation between change in live coral
cover and sedimentation rate suggests that sedimentation is important factor
that affecting reefs. The temporal pattern suggests that the abundance of
Porites is now reduced and this is of concern as Porites is major coral reef
building corals in MGMNP. If this pattern continues then coral reef system
is on verge of collapse. Another trend found in the study was the aggressive
nature of Echinopora and Montipora. These two genera were occupying space by
killing other corals and created monospecies stands. Thus it has reduced the
topographical diversity in some reefs and this may result in reduction of
abundance and diversity of other coral reef associated flora and fauna.

This is first ever study of its kind in India. This study has helped in
assessing the function of the coral reefs in MGMNP in relation with impact
of land use pattern. The information which has evolved through remote
sensing and understanding of reef function facilitate the further direction
for application oriented research and prioritizing management focus.  This
study has been playing very important role in drafting first ever scientific
management plan for MGMNP.

C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear Smithu,
This sounds like another rare opportunity that has come our way. The DC in the
islands is one of the prime decision makers and if he can be helped in getting a
sound perspective of the ecology and the problems of our Andaman islands, that
would be worth million efforts.

In fact, I used to have sessions of discussion with one of the islands former DC
Mr. Candavelou who went to the islands as DC Car Nicobar and later DC Andaman. I
met him in Car Nicobar where I stayed for about 6 months and used to keep seeing
him and talking to him about the islands.

One thing to you can do is ask Anshu Prakash to have a sound relation and stay
close to two organisations for sound guuidance - ANET and SANE. Pankaj himself
is probably closely attached to ANET. It's a prime environmental research
organisation & conservation organisation in the islands and in the body of
advisors of Forest & Wildlife department.

Best wishes
Sharbendu
smitukothari@... wrote:
Dear friends,

A very, very dear friends of Bindia's, Anshu Prakash has recently been appointed
development commissioner in the islands.  I have spoken with him about some of
teh issues that have been shared in our network and he is open to our initiating
an active dialogue.

This is a very important opportunity that we should exlore to its fullest
extent.

Best!

Smitu



---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

    To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/

    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...

    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out!

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

Hello everybody

   It is great to know about the invasive marine fishes, being a person from
forestry background so far i was knowing about the terrestrail invasion of plant
species as the subject is gaining lot of attention now a days. I thank Dr.
Sivakumar for sharing his thought with us. I think it is very important aspect
of marine biology.

  regards

"Dr. K Sivakumar" <ksivakumar@...> wrote:
Hi,
It is good attempt to train the unemployed youth towards marine
ornamental fish culture. I think the ANI has a great potential for this
and it would reduce the pressure on forest and other biodiversity.
However, I am concern about the species which they are planning to
culture in ANI. I hope they don't go for exotic species. Invasive maine
ornamental fishes are very dangerous to the native ornamental fishes.
One should make sure that this training encourage only native fish culture.

With regards
Siva

Pankaj wrote:

>Subject: training on marine ornamental fish
>
>
> The Daily Telegrams
> Sept. 10, 2004
> Training on marine ornamental fish culture gets underway
> Port Blair, Sept. 9.
>     A five-day training programme on marine ornamental fish culture
> organized by Fisheries Science Division, CARI and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in
> association with Department of Fisheries (A&N Adm.) for the unemployed
> youths and Self Help Group of these islands got underway today with its
> inauguration by Shri. R.P.Pal, Secretary, A&N Admn., in the Conference
>Hall
> of CARI. On this occasion, the chief guest released a leaflet on captive
> breeding of marine ornamental clown fishes in Andaman Islands.
>    Speaking on the occasion, Shri. R.P. Pal appreciated the lab to land
> programme on marine ornamental fish culture. He assured that all possible
> support will be extended to the trainees for this purpose. Dr. R.B. Rai,
> Director CARI pointed out that CARI will now concentrate more on
> disseminating the techniques developed in marine and brackish water fish
> farming apart from the freshwater Fish culture.
>    Dr. N. Krishnamoorthy, Director of Fisheries, Andaman Administration in
> his address pointed out that industries in Andaman should be based on
> fisheries and marine aquarium fishes are highly export oriented commodity.
>    Dr. R. Soundararajan, Principal Scientist, CARI presented brief
> information on the role of marine ornamental fishes in international trade
> and interior decoration. On the occasion of inaugural function, Dr. K.
> Madhi, Scientist briefed about various aspects of marine ornamental fish
> culture and breeding in captive condition and also called upon the
>trainees
> to draw maximum benefit from the training. The other experts graced the
> occasion include Dr. Sivaraj, FSI and Shri. G. M. Nair, DGM, NABARD.C/o
> Kalpavriksh
>
>
>>Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
>>908 Deccan Gymkhana,
>>Pune 411004
>>India
>>Tel: + 91 20 25654239 / 25675450
>>Fax: 25654239
>>Email: pankajs@...
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>C/o Kalpavriksh
>Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
>908 Deccan Gymkhana,
>Pune 411004
>Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
>Fax: 25654239
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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



---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

    To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/

    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...

    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!

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

Hi,
It is good attempt to train the unemployed youth towards marine
ornamental fish culture. I think the ANI has a great potential for this
and it would reduce the pressure on forest and other biodiversity.
However, I am concern about the species which they are planning to
culture in ANI. I hope they don't go for exotic species. Invasive maine
ornamental fishes are very dangerous to the native ornamental fishes.
One should make sure that this training encourage only native fish culture.

With regards
Siva

Pankaj wrote:

>Subject: training on marine ornamental fish
>
>
> The Daily Telegrams
> Sept. 10, 2004
> Training on marine ornamental fish culture gets underway
> Port Blair, Sept. 9.
>     A five-day training programme on marine ornamental fish culture
> organized by Fisheries Science Division, CARI and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in
> association with Department of Fisheries (A&N Adm.) for the unemployed
> youths and Self Help Group of these islands got underway today with its
> inauguration by Shri. R.P.Pal, Secretary, A&N Admn., in the Conference
>Hall
> of CARI. On this occasion, the chief guest released a leaflet on captive
> breeding of marine ornamental clown fishes in Andaman Islands.
>    Speaking on the occasion, Shri. R.P. Pal appreciated the lab to land
> programme on marine ornamental fish culture. He assured that all possible
> support will be extended to the trainees for this purpose. Dr. R.B. Rai,
> Director CARI pointed out that CARI will now concentrate more on
> disseminating the techniques developed in marine and brackish water fish
> farming apart from the freshwater Fish culture.
>    Dr. N. Krishnamoorthy, Director of Fisheries, Andaman Administration in
> his address pointed out that industries in Andaman should be based on
> fisheries and marine aquarium fishes are highly export oriented commodity.
>    Dr. R. Soundararajan, Principal Scientist, CARI presented brief
> information on the role of marine ornamental fishes in international trade
> and interior decoration. On the occasion of inaugural function, Dr. K.
> Madhi, Scientist briefed about various aspects of marine ornamental fish
> culture and breeding in captive condition and also called upon the
>trainees
> to draw maximum benefit from the training. The other experts graced the
> occasion include Dr. Sivaraj, FSI and Shri. G. M. Nair, DGM, NABARD.C/o
> Kalpavriksh
>
>
>>Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
>>908 Deccan Gymkhana,
>>Pune 411004
>>India
>>Tel: + 91 20 25654239 / 25675450
>>Fax: 25654239
>>Email: pankajs@...
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>C/o Kalpavriksh
>Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
>908 Deccan Gymkhana,
>Pune 411004
>Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
>Fax: 25654239
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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

Subject: Bamboo plantation to be taken up in Chowra island


  THE DAILY TELEGRAMS
  SEPT. 10, 2004
  Green gold plantation taken up in a big way in Chowra Island
  Car Nicobar, Sept 9
         The District Rural Development Agency, (DRDA) Nicobar has geared
  itself up to resolve the problem of wood and water scarcity in Car Nicobar
  and Chowra islands. The Deputy Commissioner- cum - Chairman, DRDA, Shri GC
Joshi in consultation with Department of Environment and Forest and the
  villagers of Car Nicobar and Chowra people has decided to plant atleast
1000
  plants of Bamboo, which is more popularly known as Green gold for its wide
  spread uses in almost every field.
      The Supreme Court of India has also issued necessary directives for
  afforestation under SGRY of DRDA. Keeping in view the directives of the
  Court, a mass plantation work was carried out in Chowra Island with the
help
  of the local tribal populace. The work in this direction has been taken up
  under SGRY of DRDA.
     the team of officials from DRDA Car Nicobar headed by Shri K.V.Satya
  Narayana, Assistant Project Officer and 10 other members of District
  Administration planted 10 each of bamboo plants (Bambusa balcooa),
  Casuarina, Jack fruit, Tompeing and Ashoka plants in all the five villages
  of Chowra Island yesterday during their 2 hour long programme in the
island.
       At the first instance, under the mass plantation work in Chowra
Island
  a total number of 1000 bamboo plants (Bambusa balcooa), 30 each of
  Casuarina, Jack fruit, Tompeing and Ashoka plants will be planted. The
  native people have demanded more casuarina plants which will be conveyed
to
  Department of Environment and forest. Similarly, Car Nicobar is also all
set
  to raise 4000 bamboo plantations in various villagesC/o Kalpavriksh
> Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
> 908 Deccan Gymkhana,
> Pune 411004
> India
> Tel: + 91 20 25654239 / 25675450
> Fax: 25654239
> Email: pankajs@...
>


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Subject: training on marine ornamental fish


  The Daily Telegrams
  Sept. 10, 2004
  Training on marine ornamental fish culture gets underway
  Port Blair, Sept. 9.
      A five-day training programme on marine ornamental fish culture
  organized by Fisheries Science Division, CARI and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in
  association with Department of Fisheries (A&N Adm.) for the unemployed
  youths and Self Help Group of these islands got underway today with its
  inauguration by Shri. R.P.Pal, Secretary, A&N Admn., in the Conference
Hall
  of CARI. On this occasion, the chief guest released a leaflet on captive
  breeding of marine ornamental clown fishes in Andaman Islands.
     Speaking on the occasion, Shri. R.P. Pal appreciated the lab to land
  programme on marine ornamental fish culture. He assured that all possible
  support will be extended to the trainees for this purpose. Dr. R.B. Rai,
  Director CARI pointed out that CARI will now concentrate more on
  disseminating the techniques developed in marine and brackish water fish
  farming apart from the freshwater Fish culture.
     Dr. N. Krishnamoorthy, Director of Fisheries, Andaman Administration in
  his address pointed out that industries in Andaman should be based on
  fisheries and marine aquarium fishes are highly export oriented commodity.
     Dr. R. Soundararajan, Principal Scientist, CARI presented brief
  information on the role of marine ornamental fishes in international trade
  and interior decoration. On the occasion of inaugural function, Dr. K.
  Madhi, Scientist briefed about various aspects of marine ornamental fish
  culture and breeding in captive condition and also called upon the
trainees
  to draw maximum benefit from the training. The other experts graced the
  occasion include Dr. Sivaraj, FSI and Shri. G. M. Nair, DGM, NABARD.C/o
  Kalpavriksh
> Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
> 908 Deccan Gymkhana,
> Pune 411004
> India
> Tel: + 91 20 25654239 / 25675450
> Fax: 25654239
> Email: pankajs@...
>


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear Col. Cherian Sir,

U are right. I agree to you. "Without addressing the problems of a developed
community in the Northern Group of Islands for connectivity one is not certainly
justified to recommend closure of ATR." That's perfectly right.

Sudan, Ethipia, Somalia...water shortage in Keralan villages, flood distraught
peasants of Bangladesh - they all might be dying due to poverty  and problems
etc, but they are certainly not to receive aid, support and the right to choose
their life their way..their freedom unless and untill the already Superpower
America turns into a super-superpower.

Even US has problems of unemployement, crime, social traumas etc...all americans
don't yet have a plane (that's a good goal)? Without addressing the problems of
them it would be wrong to even consider letting these Sudanese etc the right to
choose their life and live...just survive. It would be wrong.

Hail! George Bush - he knows best and shall take the best decision for not just
these countries, but even India and several others. And they are righ in not
allowing us access to sattelit technology at a time..ammunitions technology etc.
First they need to be super-superpower and only then us. Iraq,
Afghanistan..massacre of over 336 children in Beslan, Russia stands justified.

In fact, this is the world where power controls and rules. So, if you are weak -
shut up! and listen. But, you are right.

Throughout our India..property of lots of people and lands were taken away by
the govt for the sake of development...at times for roads at times for something
else. at least the damage is material...not cultural. I hope you'd agree that
cultural annihilation is one of the worst weapons of wiping out a community
(which means a group of people..like malayalis, tamils, bengalis or more ethinic
ones). But, you are right!

One thng of this development - it's replaceable...it's purely material, not
cultural and doesn't largely threaten wiping out of that community. 366
individuals of a community - the Jarawas are illeterate, don't have an Ac, a
sofa or electricity in their houses. Sad! they need development; no matter what
anthropologists and scientists alike say that 'any species population below 1000
is like going down the tubes'.

Here, the road ATR is not the major problem and it might have been ok to let the
ATR cut through the reserve and keep transporting people, provided it did not
bring along those cigarettes, bidi, pan, alcohol..etc alon with. and please do
try to understand that a community highly alien and susceptible to such habits,
that too with a poplulation of 365-66 can barely survive this subtle onslaught.
I do not say protect them. All I would like to say, if I may be allowed to -
atleast let them live - their own way and if they have to pass into oblivion,
let them do so - but their own way.

Imposing an idea or thought or way of life is dominion. Since, ages this has
been the way. Can we agree to and justify dominion? Perhaps yes!

However, Col. sir, I am not trying to be sceptical or hurt you in any manner.
But, I am just trying to drive a point. Development is not bad, in fact the
northrn group of Andaman needs development, but in such a modern world flooding
with technology, can't we afford to ponder over some better solutions where we
can have develoopment without killing those innocent people who can dare to burn
money when they are feeling cold. Won't that be a blessing in disguise.

apologies if I've hurt you

Warm regards
Sharbendu



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

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

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




_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Shop for Back-to-School deals on Yahoo! Shopping.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/backtoschool



Yahoo! Groups Links









---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Express yourself with Y! Messenger! Free. Download now.

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

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

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

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




_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Shop for Back-to-School deals on Yahoo! Shopping.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/backtoschool

Dear friends,

A very, very dear friends of Bindia's, Anshu Prakash has recently been appointed
development commissioner in the islands.  I have spoken with him about some of
teh issues that have been shared in our network and he is open to our initiating
an active dialogue.

This is a very important opportunity that we should exlore to its fullest
extent.

Best!

Smitu

Dear Members
  i truly agree with Pankaj's view on the questions regarding development of
northern group and the closing down of ATR. Before going to Andamans and working
there i used to wonder about the Jarawas and there were many kinds of thoights
in my mind. But when i saw then first time and interacted with time and the
local people i found many controversial situations. Like the administration is
getting lot of funds for the protection of Jarawas. But i felt that these forest
dwelling tribes do not need protection of anykind except prevention of the
interference of the people in their territory. They are safeguarding the forests
of these islands and we all know the importance of forest in terms of
biodiversity, soil protection, climate change and many many. Especially in an
island ecosystem the forests are indespensible. Forest department is aware of
this and that's why eco-tourism has been given a priority as a source of revenue
generation and development as such is a big question in
  itself...like for whom and at what cost. This was only my view i wanted to
share with you all.

thanks and regards

Stutee

Pankaj <pankaj@...> wrote:
Dear Col Cherian,

Let me ask a few questions:
a) Why is it assumed that the road is a sign of development, particularly in
an island system that in any case should have good shipping services?
b) Why is it that the proposal to close a small part of the Andaman Trunk
Road is being blamed for obstructing the development of the northern group
of the islands? Roads cannot be constructed to Little Andaman, to the
Nicobars or to Havelock and Neil. So are we denying them the oppurtunity of
development as well?
c) What is a 'little number of aboriginals'? How many would be a good number
to justify closing the road?
d) Is the survival of these 'little number' that have been living in these
islands for a few thousand years more important, or is it the perceived
convenience of the settlers who came three decades ago more important?
e) Do we want to find out what the development means to the Jarawas, or do
they have no choice but to be sacrificed for the development of the northern
group?
f) Is it right to force someone away from what is rightfully their land and
resources? The ATR is an encroachment in the land of the Jarawas and we are
suggesting that we should prevent them from coming to it?
g) Do we know that one of the main reasons for the construction of the
Andaman Trunk Road was the destruction of the forests of the Andamans. It
was constructed so that timber extraction could  be made easier.
h) Do we know that it was the ATR that has and continued to facilitate
encroachment in teh forests of these islands?
i) Do we know which are the best protected forests in the Andaman islands
and who is responsible for this protection?
j) Do we know which is the biggest lobby opposing the closure of the ATR?

pankaj


----- Original Message -----
From: Col.K .V.Cherian <cherrycol99@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Thoughts on Jarawa Policy


>
> Dear Members!
> Madhushree's point of view is valid and deserves
> attention. However, please note that one should not
> block development of Northern group of Islands for
> protecting little number of Aboriginals. Can't they be
> blocked from coming on to the ATR ?may be, by probably
> shifting their settlements further away.
> The point of view of modifying the AAJVS for better
> performance is valid and needs attention, but will the
> Administrators agree to this? The final authority for
> anything in Andamans lies with the Administration.
>
> This is because Andaman is the only one UT/ Territory
> of Democratic India being administered with out
> people's representation. We are still under the
> "Colonial Rule" within the democratic frame work of
> Indian constitution. For better administration there
> is a requirement of participation by the people which
> does not exist today here. The "Andaman Pradeshik
> Council" which was an elected advisory body to the
> Administration has been dissolved since years.
>
> Regarding the population inflation also, I'd blame the
> administration. No check or efforts to stop
> encroachers as well as unauthorized settlements has
> been made ,instead I hear that they are planning on
> rehabilitation of forest encroachers by allotting
> land. If you consider the ingress routes of
> encroachment / growth in settlement it can be checked
> very easily as there are only few entry points. Not
> only the population but also resources can also be
> controlled well, eg: plastic can be well checked.
>
> There are a lot to be done towards protection of the
> Aboriginals as well as the environment along with
> development. Thanks to Madhushree for her frank
> expression of facts. God Bless. - Cherry.
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out!
> http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>





---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

    To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/

    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...

    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.

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

Subject: [SIV Global:] Three different ideas for action on climate change


>                       SMALL ISLANDS VOICE
>
>                  Do you live in a small island?
>                     Tell us what you think.
>
>
***************************************************************************
>
> Responding to the plight of Tuvalu in the Pacific, an island country
facing
> the very real threat of disappearing as sea level rises, three writers
have
> proposed different courses of action: abandon the island, raise the height
of
> the island, and replace fossil fuels with vegetable oils.
>
> Rising sea level is indeed a core concern for the Pacific island
countries,
> writes Sunil Prasad from Fiji (Pacific). It is equivalent to or even more
> threatening than terrorism. I imagine that putting a sudden stop to the
> greenhouse gas emissions would not immediately eliminate the problem, if
> indeed it was possible. I think the effect of the gases already present in
the
> atmosphere will continue to raise the thermometer for a couple of decades
> until the temperature goes back to the natural level. Therefore, keeping
this
> in mind, I would expect that the main strategy for the Pacific island
> countries would not be how to stop greenhouse emissions, but rather how to
> deal with the rising water level. Tuvalu's Prime Minister's reasoning of
> creating a '21st century Noah's ark' and having the population migrate to
New
> Zealand, is welcoming and very practical. The low-lying islands should be
now
> concerned about where to go from here. It is really excellent to see that
> someone in the Pacific island countries has taken the first step to
creating a
> 'plan B' to cope with this impending doom.
>
> James Ward presents a different course of action for Tuvalu: I am very
> familiar with the plight of Tuvulu. I have been there several times. The
> article neglected to mention the large amount of money they get for
leasing
> their international telecommunication lines to companies in New Zealand
and
> Australia or the 50 million dollars they got for selling the domain names
> '.tv'. With this amount of money they could haul in materials to build up
the
> island. Perhaps they could sacrifice some of the smaller islands (crush
the
> materials and bring to the main island). They have at least 50 years to do
> this. A project of this magnitude could provide employment for a lot of
> people.
>
> Taking a global approach, Edward Beggs from Canada suggests replacing
diesel
> fuel with vegetable oils: One thing we can do is run our cars, trucks,
> generators, boats, tractors, only when we need to use them, and to use the
> fuel efficient ones. We can replace diesel with straight vegetable oil and
> biodiesel. Coconut and palm, as well as many other plants, make good plant
oil
> for running diesels!
>
> Little is required in terms of investment in conversion kits or processors
to
> make biodiesel (no chemical processing is needed in the engine). With 220
> million diesels in the world, and about 20 million new ones being added
each
> year, and with people needing to create jobs locally as well as to stop
> importing fossil fuel, it's one of our best and immediate options.
Renewable
> oil fuels are cleaner than fossil fuels.
>
> We do not have to wait for the politicians to ratify the Kyoto Protocol,
nor
> for better batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or large scale commercial
biodiesel
> imports. We can do this now, the techniques are well established,
thousands
> are already running engines with pure plant oil and biodiesel of their own
> making.
>
> Title:   Three different ideas for action on climate change
> Author:  E. Beggs, S. Prasad, J. Ward
> Date:    Tuesday, 7 September 2004
>
>
***************************************************************************
>
> Please send your comments to <mailto:smallislandsvoice@...>
>
> To see all the messages in this global forum, visit
> <http://www.sivglobal.org/>
>
> To find out more about Small Islands Voice, go to
> <http://www.smallislandsvoice.org/>
>
> If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please email to
> <mailto:smallislandsvoice@...>


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Dear Col Cherian,

Let me ask a few questions:
a) Why is it assumed that the road is a sign of development, particularly in
an island system that in any case should have good shipping services?
b) Why is it that the proposal to close a small part of the Andaman Trunk
Road is being blamed for obstructing the development of the northern group
of the islands? Roads cannot be constructed to Little Andaman, to the
Nicobars or to Havelock and Neil. So are we denying them the oppurtunity of
development as well?
c) What is a 'little number of aboriginals'? How many would be a good number
to justify closing the road?
d) Is the survival of these 'little number' that have been living in these
islands for a few thousand years more important, or is it the perceived
convenience of the settlers who came three decades ago more important?
e) Do we want to find out what the development means to the Jarawas, or do
they have no choice but to be sacrificed for the development of the northern
group?
f) Is it right to force someone away from what is rightfully their land and
resources? The ATR is an encroachment in the land of the Jarawas and we are
suggesting that we should prevent them from coming to it?
g) Do we know that one of the main reasons for the construction of the
Andaman Trunk Road was the destruction of the forests of the Andamans. It
was constructed so that timber extraction could  be made easier.
h) Do we know that it was the ATR that has and continued to facilitate
encroachment in teh forests of these islands?
i) Do we know which are the best protected forests in the Andaman islands
and who is responsible for this protection?
j) Do we know which is the biggest lobby opposing the closure of the ATR?

pankaj


----- Original Message -----
From: Col.K .V.Cherian <cherrycol99@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] Thoughts on Jarawa Policy


>
> Dear Members!
> Madhushree's point of view is valid and deserves
> attention. However, please note that one should not
> block development of Northern group of Islands for
> protecting little number of Aboriginals. Can't they be
> blocked from coming on to the ATR ?may be, by probably
> shifting their settlements further away.
> The point of view of modifying the AAJVS for better
> performance is valid and needs attention, but will the
> Administrators agree to this? The final authority for
> anything in Andamans lies with the Administration.
>
> This is because Andaman is the only one UT/ Territory
> of Democratic India being administered with out
> people's representation. We are still under the
> "Colonial Rule" within the democratic frame work of
> Indian constitution. For better administration there
> is a requirement of participation by the people which
> does not exist today here. The "Andaman Pradeshik
> Council" which was an elected advisory body to the
> Administration has been dissolved since years.
>
> Regarding the population inflation also, I'd blame the
> administration. No check or efforts to stop
> encroachers as well as unauthorized settlements has
> been made ,instead I hear that they are planning on
> rehabilitation of forest encroachers by allotting
> land. If you consider the ingress routes of
> encroachment / growth in settlement it can be checked
> very easily as there are only few entry points. Not
> only the population but also resources can also be
> controlled well, eg: plastic can be well checked.
>
> There are a lot to be done towards protection of the
> Aboriginals as well as the environment along with
> development. Thanks to Madhushree for her frank
> expression of facts. God Bless. - Cherry.
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out!
> http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

Dear Members!
Madhushree’s point of view is valid and deserves
attention. However, please note that one should not
block development of Northern group of Islands for
protecting little number of Aboriginals. Can’t they be
blocked from coming on to the ATR ?may be, by probably
shifting their settlements further away.
The point of view of modifying the AAJVS for better
performance is valid and needs attention, but will the
Administrators agree to this? The final authority for
anything in Andamans lies with the Administration.

This is because Andaman is the only one UT/ Territory
of Democratic India being administered with out
people’s representation. We are still under the
“Colonial Rule” within the democratic frame work of
Indian constitution. For better administration there
is a requirement of participation by the people which
does not exist today here. The “Andaman Pradeshik
Council” which was an elected advisory body to the
Administration has been dissolved since years.

Regarding the population inflation also, I‘d blame the
administration. No check or efforts to stop
encroachers as well as unauthorized settlements has
been made ,instead I hear that they are planning on
rehabilitation of forest encroachers by allotting
land. If you consider the ingress routes of
encroachment / growth in settlement it can be checked
very easily as there are only few entry points. Not
only the population but also resources can also be
controlled well, eg: plastic can be well checked.

There are a lot to be done towards protection of the
Aboriginals as well as the environment along with
development. Thanks to Madhushree for her frank
expression of facts. God Bless. – Cherry.




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

Apologies for cross posting...

Dear Friends,
Sub: Open letter to the MoEF...and next steps


As posted a couple of days back, over 50 organisations and individuals have
issued a statement of concern regarding the state of neglect of
environmental issues by the government. We would like to urge all of you to
join this statement, and the demands made therein to the goverment, by
sending your own supporting letter to the Prime Minister and Minister for
Environment and Forests, as also perhaps to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. Pl. send a
covering note stating your own concerns, and attaching a copy of this
statement.

We would appreciate if a copy of your letter is marked to us also, so we can
keep compiling the growing list of people around the country who are joining
this campaign.

Pl. also suggest to us other ways in which you think these issues can be
taken up, so that we are effective in significantly improving the
functioning and accountability of the Ministry of Environment.  Media
coverage, political lobbying, and any other such suggestions are most
welcome.


thanks
Ashish Kothari ashishkothari@...
Pankaj Sekhsaria pankajs@...


Kalpavriksh - Environment Action Group
Apt. 5 Shree Datta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana
Pune 411004, India
Tel: 91-20-25675450
Tel/fax: 91-20-25654239
email: kvriksh@...

Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
908 Deccan Gymkhana
Pune 411004
India
Tel: + 91 20 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
Email: kvriksh@...
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

From
The Daily Telegrams
August 31, 2004


Coastal Cleanup Campaign on Sept. 18

Port Blair, Aug. 30.

    The Andaman & Nicobar Command will undertake a coastal cleanup campaign
as part of the international campaign towards this objective on the 18th of
next month.  A Command Head Quarters release said here today that the
campaign is voluntary efforts in nature and deals with cleaning up of
beaches and waterways across the world. The event is co-ordinated by India
Maritime Foundation (IMF), an NGO located in Pune.

    According to the release, the A&N Command has sought active participation
of NGOs/schools on 18th September to make this strive a success which, it
said, will also increase consciousness and awareness on the importance of
cleanliness of all beaches. The release said that the sea beaches at many
places in the islands are presently littered with bio-degradable and
non-biodegradable wastes and therefore, there is need for a public awareness
by active participation of all service, civilian personnel, islanders and
their families for 'clean and green environment'.

    The coastal cleanup campaign was a success last year which resulted in
cleaning up of miles of beaches of beautiful A&N Islands by the composite
drive of Islanders, defence personnel and their families. The total PPM
figures compiled by the IMF for the debris collected in last year's clean-up
drive was very impressive, People participated - 11,116, Debris collected in
Pounds


C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

Apologies for Cross posting

OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

  3 September, 2004


Why is the Government Systematically Undermining the environment?


As people's groups, NGOs, and mass movements, we are deeply concerned and
anguished at the way governments over the last few years have severely
undermined the importance of environmental issues in decision-making. In
particular, the role of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) seems
increasingly to be that of simply a clearing agency for unsustainable and
destructive economic and commercial activities. To make matters worse, the MoEF
appears to be systematically undermining the participation of citizens in its
decision-making process, and has become more and more closed in its functioning.
Lack of transparency not only reduces public participation, it is also a way to
avoid serious scientific scrutiny. These trends seem to have become worse in the
last few years, such that the lay person is left wondering: is the mandate of
the MoEF to help industries and 'developers' by-pass or get over environmental
regulations, rather than safeguard the country's environment?


Several actions of the MoEF (and of GOI in general) point to the following broad
trends:



   1.. Severe reduction in opportunities available to citizens to input into MoEF
(and GOI) decisions, and in the seriousness with which MoEF considers such
inputs;


   2.. Decline in the ability and willingness of MoEF to ensure that
'development' processes and projects (e.g. in hydro-power and infrastructure)
are oriented towards integrating environmental and social concerns.


   3.. Declining emphasis on improving regulation and regulatory mechanisms, and
instead pushing for 'voluntary' and 'market based' instruments.


Examples of the above (which have been clearly pointed out to the government)
include:



   a.. The notification of the Biological Diversity Rules 2004: These Rules
notified under the Biological Diversity Act 2002, are scientifically unsound,
considerably undermine the role of local communities in safeguarding
biodiversity and traditional knowledge, and have completely ignored the very
many sound inputs provided by NGOs and activists when the draft Rules were first
put out by MoEF. These Rules actually dilute the spirit and letter of the Act,
which in any case was not fully adequate in its provisions regarding
conservation, sustainable use, and equity.


   b.. The dilution of notifications under the Environment Protection Act: Over
the last few years MoEF has considerably reduced the scope and weakened the
provisions of various notifications and rules under the Environment Protection
Act 1986. The promulgation of this comprehensive Act had in 1986 indicated that
the government was committed to environmental conservation, and towards making
development projects sustainable. However, a series of dilutions (about 30 in
all!) have considerably weakened various notifications under the Act. The
dilutions include: (in the case of the Environment Impact Assessment
notification) public hearings being dropped for projects such as the widening of
highways and mining leases for major minerals under 25 ha.; (in the case of
Coastal Regulation Zone notification) allowing Special Economic Zones, effluent
treatment plants, industrial salt pans, and the mining of atomic minerals in
coastal areas. These dilutions have significant impacts. For instance, in the
case of the mining projects, Indian Bureau of Mines data shows that almost 50%
of the mining leases for major minerals are below 25 ha (and they add up to
tremendous environmental and social destruction).

   Simultaneous to these dilutions, regulatory norms are being eased for
developmental projects and industries. A MoEF press release in June this year on
"good practices" to be adopted to facilitate 'expeditious decision making'
stated that no application (for clearance) will be rejected on procedural
grounds alone. This could mean that applicants could get clearance even when
they provide incomplete and inadequate information.


   c.. The clearance of 'development' projects without adequate assessment: There
are many shocking instances where MoEF has given clearance to dams, mining,
roads, ports, industries, and other projects, without an adequate environmental
impact assessment or without ensuring that environmental safeguards are built
into the project. This is not surprising because increasingly members of various
environmental clearance expert committees of MoEF, have little or no independent
environmental record or credibility. NGOs and community groups have frequently
pointed out such faulty decision-making, and have provided strong evidence of
the dangers posed by such projects, but have been consistently ignored. Examples
of this abound: Lower Subansiri hydro power project (Arunachal Pradesh), Allain
Duhangan H-E project (Himachal), Teesta Low Dam (W. Bengal), Bodh Ghat project
(Chhattisgarh), Raoghat Bauxite project (Chhattisgarh), and many others. Some of
these projects even threaten many areas that governments have themselves
declared protected for wildlife.


   d.. Reluctance to insist that environmental conditionalities are followed by
project proponents: A large number of development projects cleared by MoEF do
not fulfil the conditions under which they were cleared, yet MoEF has taken
action on hardly any of them.


   e.. Waste of capacity building funds: A huge loan was received by MoEF some
years ago, for "Environmental Management Capacity Building Programme" which
essentially required: a) A comprehensive review of the Environmental Clearance
Mechanism ; b) Preparation of Manuals for Environment Impact Assessment ; c)
Development of an Environmental Information Centre and d) Environmental Law
Capacity Building both for the Ministry and for other agencies. Yet this process
has been developed with meager consultation, and despite the debt incurred, the
results do not seem to have resulted in any significant improvement inthe
functioning of the MoEF.


   f.. The framing of a National Environment Policy without public participation:
Having heard that MoEF is drafting a National Environment Policy, some of us
have repeatedly asked for details on how this is happening and how citizens can
make inputs. A draft was put up on the MoEF website on 21st August, for
comments. There has been no other process of reaching out to the citizens of
India for inputs to the Policy, in particular to local communities who do not
access websites or read English. Moreoever, what is the guarantee that this
Policy will not be pushed through like the Biodiversity Rules 2004, completely
ignoring public inputs?


   g.. The delaying of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP): Despite itself facilitating a uniquely consultative process over four
years, to prepare the NBSAP, MoEF is now delaying its final approval,
publication, and release. The reasons being given are that even as a final
technical report, the draft needs to go through Cabinet approval, and that it
needs to wait for the National Environment Policy to be finalised (though the
process of framing this Policy began over three years after NBSAP did). We
understand the need for the final NBSAP to get political (cabinet) approval, but
there is no justification for delaying the printing and public release of the
final technical report. MoEF is neither respecting the effort and time put into
this process by tens of thousands of people, nor its contractual obligation to
the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
who funded the process.


   h.. Siding with the building lobby: Rather than help conserve natural
ecosystems against unchecked urban growth, MoEF has often tried to make the way
easier for the building lobby. For example, instead of supporting people's
groups to protect some of the last remaining forest areas in the highly polluted
city of Delhi, including parts of the Delhi ridge, MoEF has favoured the lobby
that wants to promote the construction of five star hotels and shopping malls in
this area. This is also despite the fact that these are critical water
catchments and their destruction would result in the
   further lowering of an already very low water table in Delhi.


   i.. Ignoring Supreme Court orders on A&N Islands: In violation of Supreme
Court orders, the MoEF has refused to close down the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Forest and Plantation Development Corporation that has been destroying the
forests and the habitat of the tribals in the islands. Orders to control mining
of sand from the beaches of the islands and deal with inappropriate tourism too
have not been satisfactorily complied with. In fact, the MoEF even tried to
initiate an exercise to study 'some of the environmental issues related to
forestry and wildlife in the islands', which appeared more an attempt to 
solicit "expert" opinion that could be used to circumvent the concerned orders.


   j.. Lack of public discussion and transparency on genetic engineering: Another
example of the increasing opaqueness of functioning in the government is the
lack of public participation in decisions regarding genetic engineering. This
risky technology is being pushed through with no long-term safety tests, and
almost no independent scientific or public inputs.


These are only a few of the many examples where MoEF in particular and the GOI
in general, have undermined environmental issues and ignored public inputs. In
almost all such cases NGOs and affected people have protested, pointed to
violations and destructive implications, and often even offered alternatives,
yet all this has been systematically ignored. Indeed, resistance to the trends
by sensitive government officials themselves has been largely sidelined. Worse,
there is no accessible platform on which MoEF (and GOI in general) can be made
accountable to the public. It is not surprising therefore that citizens have had
to take recourse to the courts to obtain justice.


These trends have occurred within the context of both the previous government
and the current one, providing almost no serious consideration to the
environment. The previous government systematically undid many of the gains of
growing ecological awareness and standards of the earlier decades. The current
governments in its Common Minimum Programme has almost nothing on the
environment. Nor has there been acknowledgement of the fact that tens of
millions of people in India continue to depend directly on natural resources for
their survival, livelihood, health, and future development with dignity. Indeed
many of the decisions taken by MoEF have further reduced the access and rights
of communities to livelihood resources and supported 'development' projects that
impinge on community lands and resources.


We do believe, however, that the new government has the opportunity to reverse
this trend. It needs to take at least the following steps:



   1.. Providing a legally mandated and explicit role for citizens (especially
local communities) in the decision-making process within MoEF (and GOI in
general). This can be done by including independent and credible representatives
of communities and civil society in the various expert committees; ensuring that
citizens' inputs in draft notifications and legislation are considered through a
transparent process; strengthening the public hearing process for 'development'
projects; constituting an independent monitoring and evaluation agency to assess
compliance of environmental conditions and regulations; and other such measures.


   2.. Considerably strengthen the mandate and functioning of the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, e.g. by increasing the number of technical experts and
officials who are known for their commitment to the environment.


   3.. Centrally integrate environmental considerations across the entire
decision-making process, right from the planning and design stage of economic
sectors and projects and not only at the final stage of clearance. This
includes, the strengthening of the EIA, clearance, and monitoring procedures.


   4.. Reviewing the Common Minimum Programme and its implementation from the
environmental perspective, including through a serious consideration of
environmental issues in forums such as the National Advisory Council (NAC). The
NAC is a step towards more public participation in decision-making, but needs a
greater integration of environmental concerns in its deliberations.


We urge the government to draw up a concrete action plan on how to take the
above and other steps, to significantly improve the manner in which decisions
are taken on environmental issues. This should include the setting up of an
independent monitoring and evaluation body, comprised of community and civil
society representatives, that can ensure environmental sensitivity in
decision-making. While drawing up such an action plan, there should be active
and meaningful participation of community organisations, people's movements,
NGOs, and other civil society organisations.


Signed/-


Ashish Kothari,  Ravi Agarwal, Shekhar Singh

Kalpavriksh, Toxics Link, Centre for Equity Studies




On behalf of:



   1.. Samir Acharya, Society for Andaman and Nicobar Ecology, Port Blair, A&N
Islands


   2.. Ravi Agarwal, Toxics Link, Delhi


   3.. Sunderlal Bahuguna, Save Himalaya Movement, Tehri


   4.. Gautam Bandopadhyay, People's Allaince for Livelihood Rights, Raipur,
Chhatisgarh


   5.. Jayanta Bandopadhyay, Environmental Expert, Kolkata


   6.. Amitabh Behar, National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Pune


   7.. Erach Bharucha, Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education
and Research, Pune


   8.. Seema Bhatt, Biodiversity Consultant, Delhi


   9.. Prashant Bhushan, Advocate, Supreme Court, Delhi


   10.. Sripad Dharmadhikary, Manthan, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh


   11.. Debi Goenka, Bombay Environment Action Group, Mumbai


   12.. Colin Gonsalves, Socio-Legal Information Centre, Delhi


   13.. Pandurang Hegde, Appiko/Prakruti, Sirsi, Karnataka


   14.. Ramaswamy Iyer, Former Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Delhi


   15.. Asmita Kabra, Samrakshan Trust, Delhi/Madhya Pradesh


   16.. Smitu Kothari, Lokayan, Delhi


   17.. Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group, Pune/Delhi


   18.. Ashok Kumar, Wildlife Trust of India, Delhi


   19.. Souparna Lahiri, Delhi Forum, Delhi


   20.. Harsh Mander, Delhi


   21.. Thomas Mathew , South Asian Conservation Foundation


   22.. Kisan Mehta, Save Bombay Committee, Mumbai


   23.. Fr. Victor Moses, St. Xavier's Social Service Society, Ahmedabad


   24.. Somnath Nayak, Nagarika Seva Trust, Gurvayankere, Karnataka


   25.. Satheesh P.V., Deccan Development Society, Pastapur, Andhra Pradesh


   26.. Rekha Panigrahi, Vasundhara, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa


   27.. Medha Patkar, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Narmada Valley


   28.. Sujit Patwardhan, Parisar, Pune


   29.. M.K. Prasad, Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat, Cochi, Kerala


   30.. Asad Rahmani, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai


   31.. Sreedhar Ramamurthy, mines, minerals and People/ Academy of Mountain
Environics, Dehradun, Uttaranchal


   32.. Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign, Delhi


   33.. Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary Magazine, Mumbai


   34.. Salam Rajesh, Manipur Nature Society, Imphal, Manipur


   35.. Leo Saldanha, Environment Support Group, Bangalore, Karnataka


   36.. Priya Salvi, Prakruti, Mumbai


   37.. John Samuel, National Social Watch Coalition, Pune


   38.. Madhu Sarin, Independent consultant, Chandigarh


   39.. Devinder Sharma, Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security, Delhi


   40.. Gam Shimray, All India Coordinating Forum of Adivasi/Indigenous Peoples,
Delhi


   41.. Samar Singh, Samarpan Foundation, Delhi


   42.. Shekhar Singh, Centre for Equity Studies, Delhi


   43.. Indu Prakash Singh, Activist/Researcher, Delhi


   44.. Neera Singh, Independent Researcher, Bhubaneshwar


   45.. Aarthi Sridhar, Independent Researcher, Bangalore, Karnataka


   46.. Bibhab Talukdar, Environmental Activist, Guwahati, Assam


   47.. Himanshu Thakkar, South Asia Network of Dams, River and People, Delhi


   48.. David Thangliana, Editor, Newslink English Daily, Aizawl, Mizoram


   49.. Malavika Vartak, Housing and Land Rights Network, Delhi


   50.. A.C. Zonunmawia, Centre for Environment Protection, Aizwal, Mizoram

C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239


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

Dear Friends,
A couple of years ago, the  Nicobar Youth Association, active in Nancowry
group of Islands in Central Nicobar had filed a Public Interest Litigation
(PIL) in the Calcutta High Court, Port Blair Circuit Bench praying for
eviction and removal of  illegal non-tribal encroachers on tribal land in
the Nicobars.
Pasted below is an update on the entire issue that has been reported in
'SANE News', July 2004


The Nicobar PIL

Nicobar Youth Association, active in Nancowry group of Islands in Central
Nicobar had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Calcutta High
Court, Port Blair Circuit Bench praying for eviction and removal of
illegal non-tribal encroachers on tribal land. The whole of Nicobar group
of Islands (except 7 revenue villages in Great Nicobar) is legally a
tribal area. A special law titled “Andaman & Nicobar Protection of
Aboriginal Tribes Regulation” (ANAPTR) prohibits any non-tribal from
taking up residence, acquiring land, carrying on business or acquiring any
interest in any resources of the tribal area except with a special license
granted by the Administrator (Lt. Governor). And yet, the population of
the non-tribals grew alarmingly, in some cases even exceeding that of the
tribals! (See chart below)

Bar Chart

Nicobar Youth Association, in their PIL (SANE News Nov. 2002 and Sept.
2003) brought out all these issues and more before the Hon’ble
Calcutta
High Court. Unfortunately the case was listed on 12th Dec. 2002 when all
the Advocates of Calcutta High Court were on a strike. The High Court,
heard the case ex-parte and directed the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands
to “consider by himself the representation of the petitioner, being
Annexure P 11 of the Writ Petition, if not already disposed of, by passing
any order. The office bearers of the association shall be entitled to a
reasonable opportunity of hearing before any order is passed or decision
taken by Lt. Governor on the said representation, if however the
representation is allowed then effective steps shall be taken in
accordance with Law. This exercise must be completed within a period of
eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.”

Since this Union Territory (A&N Islands), while de.jure. is a part of the
Union of India, de-facto remains a colony, rule of law rarely prevails
here. So, Mr. NN Jha, the then Lt. Governor could find time to dispose the
representation only on the 1st August 03, eight months later, instead of
the eight weeks as ordered. The Court had ordered that “ The order
that be
passed, shall be communicated in writing to the writ Petitioner within a
fortnight from the date of passing the order or taking the decision
thereon”. In the meantime, on 26th June 03, 24 weeks after the order
and
16 weeks after the deadline, the Lt. Governor had summoned the Counsel for
the Petitioner (but not the office bearers of the Association as ordered
by the Hon’ble Court), heard him and then passed the order.   (See
Excerpts from Lt. Governor’s order).

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
RAJ NIWAS

F.No.39-292/2003-Revenue

In the matter of W.P. No.110 of 2002 – Nicobar Youth
Association –Vs-Union of India and others.

ORDER

In their representation dated 1202,the main contention of the
representationist (Tribal Council, Kamorta and Nancowry) are:

“… (i) Removal of illegal encroachment of land, by outsiders
(non tribals)
in Tribal area; occupation of land by non-tribal, without consultation of
the Island Council, is now a big issue in the tribal area and it is
getting out of hand unless the matter is seriously tackled, jointly, both
by the tribal council of concerned islands and the Administration;

(ii) The main reason for such encroachment is overstay of staff of Govt.
Department, particularly labour class/water supplier incharge specially in
APWD, who clean the backyard of their residence for a kitchen garden and
slowly convert coconut kitchen garden into growing coconut plants and
other fruit trees, which they later claim as theirs. This occupation is
done taking advantage of the innocence and mild nature of the tribals.
Illegal encroachment is also by retired Govt. Servants;

(iii) The Tribal land allotted to the Temple in Kamorta was meant for
worship only. The tribals are secular minded but, unfortunately, the non-
tribals occupy huge adjacent land of the tribals illegally and without
their approval and built thereon shops/residences for their individual
benefits. This land adjacent to the Temple of the tribals may kindly be
given back to the tribals concerned;

(iv) There are retired Government servants/non-tribals settling down at
Kamorta and some government servants are not transferred even after
completion of their actual tenure. They have started their own business
and also cultivation in tribal area. They exploit innocent tribal people.
This is in violation of A&N Protection of Aboriginal Tribe Regulation,
1956.”

In their representation they have appealed for urgent action to
correct this injustice by shifting the non-tribals out of tribal areas and
to help preserve the traditional way of life. During the hearing, the
representationists reiterated their demand and requested for proper
implementation of the A&N (PAT) Regulations of 1956 & 1057. The Counsel
for the representationists stated that they are not keen to press for the
adherence of the time limit given by the Court as long as the
Administration can evolve a long term strategy for a solution for this
long pending issue. They further stated that they are prepared to wait for
a solution to be evolved by the Administration.

During the hearing, the representationists also brought out the
problems faced in securing contracts by the tribal unemployed youth. They
also mentioned some cases of exploitations of tribals by the non-tribals.
Quoting the census figures of 1999, they brought out that the number of
non-tribals living in some of the tribal areas are more than the tribals,
Kamorta and Katchal are some examples. They re-iterated their requests for
the implementation of the A&N (PAT) Rules and Regulations. They have even
gone on to add that tribal people are not against the non-tribals as a
whole, but they are against their superior attitude, their lion share in
the workforce and also against their unholy invasion into their own eco-
cultural field. The tribals only aspire for peaceful living. They have
reiterated that they are prepared to wait for a solution to be evolved by
the Administration and they are also prepared to render their active
support and assistance in the making of a well-thought out Action Plan.

During, the hearing, the Deputy Commissioner (Nicobars) explained
the background of this case as under:

The entire area of Nicobar District, except the 7 villages of
Campbell Bay which is a revenue area, as governed by the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 and
Rules of 1957.

In the past, when there was almost no contact with the tribals in
the Nicobar group of islands. M/s Akhooje Trading Co. was formed in
Nancowry group of islands, subsequently re-named as Nancowry Mercantile
Co. It was managed by non-tribal Gujarati Muslims. They used to procure
Copra and Beetlenut and in turn used to supply general goods and cloth.
Barter system was prevalent at that time. These agencies were doing
business without having any trade licences. Some of the non-tribal traders
got married with local tribal ladies also.

This Company was later renamed as Nancowry Trading Co. (NTC). In
the year 1978, Manula Mathai Limited (MML) was constituted and most of the
employees of Nancowry Trading Co. were absorbed in MML. MML. Has provided
services in Nancowry group of islands about two decades before it was
closed in the year 1998. Majority of the employees of MML were non-tribals
who were engaged as labourers, salesman, etc. to whom tribal passes were
issued and renewed regularly by the office of the Assistant Commissioner,
Nancowry.

Because of these non-tribals, engaged in NTC and MML, local
population were able to sell their agricultural produce like Copra and
Beetlenut and in exchange got essential commodities for their day-to-day
requirements.

Due to closure of MML in 1998, a vacuum was created in the
business circle and AC, Nancowry issued trading licences /tribal pass in
order to maintain regular supply of essential commodities in that area. It
is also a fact that many non-tribal workers of MML are still staying in
tribal reserved area for want of refund of provident fund, etc. which are
being delayed due to the liquidation process.

MML, a Central Co-operative Society, was constituted in the year
1978 and it was procuring Copra and Betel nut from tribal population till
it became defunct in the year 1998 and is now under liquidation. Further,
ANCOFED has appointed TDCS (Tribal Development Co-operative Society),
which is a tribal co-operative society, as its sub agent for the
procurement of the same in the year 2002 for Nancowry group of islands.
The petitioner (Mr. Rashid) himself is the secretary of this society
(TDCS).

With regard to the allotment of land to Shree Shree Radhakrishna
(SSKR) Temple, Deputy Commissioner, A&N Islands vide order dated 4th
January, 1954 had granted five acres of land at Kamorta for the purpose of
construction of temple and garden. The temple could not get the entire 5
acres of land and after various correspondences by the Temple Committee,
Deputy Commissioner, A&N Islands confirmed an area of 2.64 acres for the
Temple in 1969. However, in due course, the SSRK Temple Committee allotted
portions of this Temple land to various persons for commercial and
residential purpose.

Since the past 50 years, Govt. has initiated major developmental
works in the Nicobar group of islands, through its various Plan and Non-
Plan Schemes. During the time when these schemes were initiated, the
tribal population were not equipped to either carry out these
developmental works themselves or through their tribal councils. In order
to carry out the developmental works, various Govt. agencies had to carry
out these developmental activities through contractors. Earlier the
tribals did not want to work as labourers. To ensure that development of
Nicobar group was undertaken unhindered both skilled and non-skilled was
imported from the non-tribal areas by the contractors. As the process of
development is a continuous one, contractors have been getting different
development oriented works. They either continued to use the labour
imported earlier or had imported more labour. This continued for
subsequent works also. This continuous stay of labour in the Nicobar group
of islands now appears to be the home of contention for the tribal
population.

As Nicobars is a part of the administrative territory of the
country, Govt. servants have been posted to various islands for
maintaining the essential support commodities and services. Due to the non-
existence of essential services in the tribal locations, there has been an
inherent reluctance of the Govt. servants to go and work in these remote
areas; the lack of facilities for education of children, accommodation,
etc. at that point of time were some of them. This may have resulted in
some of the Govt. servants, who were either willing to go or had gone and
joined despite protests and had settled down with time, to stay in these
island longer than their normal tenure. Some of these officials may have
retired from service and continued to stay in these islands
subsequently.

With time, the non-tribals, who have been staying in these areas
for long time, have settled in the Nancowry group of islands; most of the
encroachments by the non-tribals at Kamorta area are 25 to 30 years old
and majority of them are labourers of APWD and Forest dept. who have been
continuously rendering service since the late 60’s. They were allowed
by
the then APWD and Forest dept. to construct their own hutments on Govt.
land at various locations in Kamorta since there were no govt. quarters
available to them. These labourers, who were non-tribals, subsequently
developed gardens by planting coconut trees and other fruit bearing trees
in the backyard of their hutments. These labourers are now staying in
these hutments with their children and in some cases, grand children, even
after their retirement from the services they have no place to go, either
at Port Blair or on the mainland.

DC (Nicobar) further informed that in the year 1960, the then
Chief Commissioner had issued orders relaxing the provisions of the Rules
of 1957 through Notification No. 10/60 dated 18.1.1960, permitting the
Govt. servants on duty to work and stay in these islands, on being
transferred to the Nicobar Group of Islands. Vide this notification, the
Govt. servants while proceeding on duty towards a reserved tribal area and
the families of such Govt. servants were exempted from taking a pass or
passes for entering a reserved area in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This order is still valid and exempts the Govt. servants on duty to obtain
a pass.

On perusal of the above facts, I find that the existence of non-
tribals in Tribal reserved areas has been since long and non-tribals and
the tribals have co-existed in these islands. The existence of the non-
tribals was more due to the need to develop the tribal areas and to
provide other economic and essential needs of this backward area; to help
the tribals merge in the main stream. It is only now that the tribal
population, perhaps because of a better understanding due to education and
other developmental inputs, have started appreciating the importance of
economic benefits and their rights. The feeling of exploitation of tribals
by non-tribals has also disturbed the equilibrium.

Keeping the above background in mind and provisions of the
Regulations of 1956 and the Rules of 1957, it is evident that the stay of
non-tribals in the tribal areas is irregular. However, this situation has
been existing since more than 4 to 5 decades; because of the economic and
other developmental needs, for provision of essential commodities and
services:

In view of the above, an immediate administrative intervention or
remedial measures need to be taken. Before an action plan is drawn out, it
is also imperative to understand the extent of the problem. Also that the
Administration needs to implement the rules & regulations more effectively
for controlling the influx of non-tribal areas. Keeping this in mind, the
following actions needs to be taken on priority:

(i) A survey to be undertaken by the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobars to
assess the details of non-tribals staying in the tribal areas, with or
without a valid permit and the details of land under their control. This
survey should be completed within a period of 6 months is by 1st February,
2004.

(ii) After the completion of the survey, discussions should be held with
the Tribal Council on the methodology and an action plan be adopted for
the repatriation of these persons without adversely affecting the economy
or other interests or needs of the tribals. The preparation and submission
of this action plan of the Administration be done within a period of 3
months is 1st May, 2004.

(iii) On receiving approval from the Administration, Deputy Commissioner
(N) may implement the action plan in a time bound manner.

(iv) The issue of permit to a non-tribal new comer should be strictly as
per the regulations and rules and should only be for the period specified
in the Rules, 1957. Under no circumstances should the Extension beyond the
permissible time limit be given by the Deputy Commissioner or the
Assistant Commissioner. Only in exceptional cases, the relaxation of this
condition could be done with the approval of the LG.

(v) The Govt. servants on duty will continue to be governed by the
Notification No. 10/60 dated 8th January, 1960 for working in a tribal
area. However, the Administration may, as far as possible, ensure that the
transfer policy for Govt. servants to these islands is properly
implemented. On their retirement, they must leave the tribal areas, else
their retirement benefits be withheld. A suitable mechanism be devised by
the Administration.

The application is disposed of accordingly,
Given under my hand and seal on this Court, this 1st day of August, 2003.

(N.N. JHA)
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR)

The simple (simpletons, thought Jha) tribals of Nicobar were blissfully
ignorant of the fact that their fate was decided by the Great Satrap of
the Union of India entrusted with “development” of the
“backward” tribals,
(among other important tasks) in the “colony” that India
acquired on 15th
August 1947. (Madhusree Mukherjee in the Land of Naked People). By the
time they managed to smell the rotten rat, they approached the Tehsildar,
Nicobar for a copy of the order. The copy was made available to them only
on the 8th July 2004. – Editor

The NYA submitted a strong protest to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor by a
representation on the 24th July ’04. The full text of the letter is
given
as NYA representation.

Your Excellency,

We have just been provided with a copy of the order file No. 39-292/2003-
Revenue dated the 1st August, 2003 in the matter of WP No. 110 of 2002, by
the Tahsildar, Nicobar District.   It pains us to note that your
Excellency’s order in such an important tribal matter was never
brought to
our notice.  Is it too much to expect that an applicant deserves to be
given a copy of the order passed on his application?

We noticed a number of factual errors in the order passed by the
Hon’ble
Lt. Governor.  We submit below our objections and reservations.

a) At page, 3, para IV, it has been recorded that the
representationists “are not keen to press the adherence of the time
limit
given by the Court” and that “they are prepared to wait for a
solution to
be evolved by the Administration”.  We wait only when we are forced
to, in
absence of any positive action.  We emphatically deny that we had made
such a statement.

b) At page 4 much has been made of the presence of M/S. Akoojee
Trading Co. and their successors in Nicobars.  But since these incidents
took place long before the ANPATR was promulgated, we do not see the
relevance.

It is totally wrong that “Majority of the employees of MML were non-
tribals” as stated in page 5.  In fact, most of MML employees were
tribals.  Page 5 also records, “Because of these non-tribal engaged in
NTC
and MML, local population were able to sell their agricultural produce----
and in exchange got essential commodities for day to day requirement”.
All experts in the subject agree that Nicobars had a thriving barter and
trade at least since the last 800 years.  Now because of the  presence of
the shrewd non-tribals, the  tribals never  stand a chance of marketing
their own produce.

In the same page the presence of non- tribal former employees of these
concerns are being justified by recording “many non-tribal workers of
MML
are still staying in tribal reserved area for want of refund of provident
fund, etc. which are being delayed due to the liquidation process.”
All
over the country hundreds of thousands of oustees at sites of dams and
mines from their legal possession were and are removed first and
compensations given much later, or sometimes not given at all.

In page 6, it is stated that the DC had allotted some land for SSRK temple
for construct their of temple and garden.  It also records, “However,
in
due course, the SSRK temple committee allotted portions of this temple
land to various persons for commercial and residential purpose.”  The
order does not go any further.  Are we to believe that Your Excellency
considers the SSRK Temple Committee competent to allot land for commercial
and residential purposes in a tribal reserve?

At page 6, a most unfortunate postulation reads, “During the time when
these schemes were initiated the tribal population were not equipped to
either carry out the development works themselves or through their tribal
councils.”  The British colonial rulers also are on record having
declared
that the Indians are incapable of governing themselves.  It is sheer
colonial mentality that produces such a comment.  A whole tribe and their
traditional leadership is shown such contempt.

It is sad to note that even after passage of 8 months from the date of the
court order; the Administration has no clue to the extent of the problem.
At page 7, such ambiguous statements as the following are on record.

i) “Some of these officials may have retired from service and
continued to stay in the Islands subsequently.”
ii) “Most of the encroachments by non- tribals at Kamorta are 25-30
years old.”  It is not true.  Since it is a matter of record, we
submit
the numbers as per the Census Report.

       Census Year Tribal
Non-tribal
          1971   915
   443
          1981 1269
   960
          1991 1393
1580


In the same page it is stated that the labourers of APWD and Forest
Department were allowed to construction their own hutments on “Govt.
land.”  There was no Govt. land.  They were allowed, even encouraged
illegally to occupy tribal land.  It is admitted in the same page that
“
these hutments with their children and in some cases, grandchildren, even
after their retirement from service as they have no place to go, either at
Port Blair or in the mainland.”

Your Excellency, the order under reference does not address the burning
problems brought out by us in the Court at all.   We urge you to kindly
hold a second hearing and modify the order suitably so that justice is
done.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
(Rasheed Yousoof)
Vice President
Nicobar Youth Association

The NYA is believed to be hoping that Prof. Ram Kapse the present LG will
do something positive. After all, her gave them a sympathetic hearing. If
nothing happens, the tribals of Nicobar will, once again, go the Court.

The readers will notice that at the end of the LG’s Order the
following
appear “Given under my hand and seal of this Court, this 1st day of
August
2003.”

Mr. Jha is probably unaware that to break away from the Colonial British
Tradition and in accordance with spirit our Constitution, the Judiciary
was separated from the Executive in 1974. In olden days, the C.C. used to
have the powers of a District & Sessions Judge.  Today, no LG can have a
Court, whatever else he may have. But then, Andamans is still a colony.
So, perhaps, the LG continues to live in the bygone era presiding over a
Kangaroo or a make-belief Court.  – Editor

Dear Friends,
Further on the Nicobar Encroachment Case,  pasted below is the letter in the
context sent by Samir Acharya of SANE to the Prof. Ram Kapse, LG, A&N
islands.
For details see the earlier mail with a update on the case as published in
SANE News, July 2004

14th August 2004.


Your Excellency,

May we invite your kind attention towards the shoddy and insensitive
manner in which the PIL (WP No. 110 of 2002) filed by the Nicobar Youth
Association in the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court, (sent to the Lt.
Governor
for consideration as a Representation) has been disposed?  We express our
solidarity with the NYA and the Nicobar Islanders in general.   In our
experience, we are found that successive Administrations have taken the
Nicobarees for granted and have meted out unequal treatment.

We beg you to kindly reconsider the matter and modify the order suitably
to restore the lost confidence of the Nicobar Tribals in the
Administration, the Governance and Rule of Law.

The matter has already been delayed inordinately.  We humbly request you
to kindly pass appropriate orders at the earliest as justice delayed
amounts to justice denied.


Respectfully Yours,


  (SAMIR ACHARYA)


To
His Excellency Prof. Ram Kapse
Hon’ble Lt. Governor
A & N Islands
Raj Niwas
Port Blair.





C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239

From
SANE NEWS, July 2004

Defending the Guardians: Thoughts on Jarawa Policy
By Madhusree Mukerjee

Through circumstances brought about by the efforts of a dedicated few, the
government and the people of India are in a position to implement an
enlightened, 21st-century policy on the Andaman aboriginals. The task is
truly difficult, for not only must such a policy be well implemented, it
must first be found. Very few precedents exist for dealing with a group as
vulnerable as the Jarawa, and no one has all the answers. Perhaps the only
rule to guide us is the following: we must be very sensitive to the
possibility of doing harm even as we try to do good.

At the recent court-ordered seminar in Port Blair, a few of us submitted a
set of suggestions, entitled An Alternative Framework for Jarawa Policy.
The proposal came out of discussions with experienced administrators and
anthropologists. It did not prescribe what the ultimate fate of the
Andamanese should be; it did, however, make several concrete suggestions
for improving their situation now. The authorities made a verbal
commitment to implementing this proposal—yet, now that the formal
proceedings have emerged, they have made short shrift of some key
elements. I would like therefore to inform the Andaman public on the
thinking that guided us.

The first point, implementing Inner-Line regulations on the Andamans and
Nicobars, as recommended by the Supreme Court, does not need much
explanation. Two centuries ago, the Andamans supported at most ten
thousand aboriginals. Today it is home to five lakhs, some say six lakhs,
of settlers who are maintained by enormous subsidies paid by mainland
India. Local resources such as water are already failing, and unless
further immigration is stopped now, people might have to be forcibly
repatriated to the mainland within the decade. The Andaman administration
has tacitly acknowledged that the population is excessive by offering
vacation to government personnel during times of water shortage. Yet the
authorities have been dragging their feet in this matter… do they
expect
Indian taxpayers to pay for ships to ferry water to the Andamans?

The Supreme Court also ordered that sections of the Andaman Trunk Road
through the Jarawa forest be closed. Experts agree that this measure is
essential to stopping harmful, even deadly, contact between the Jarawa and
outsiders. Political opposition has made closure difficult, but I trust
that Andaman residents will get to see that it would do little actual
damage to their interests. For instance, closing this road could give
Mayabunder and Diglipur a chance to develop infrastructure such as better
port facilities and hospitals. I hope too that the administration will
follow through on its promise to restore to the Jarawa Reserve those
forests on the eastern side of the ATR that were denotified in 1979. That
will increase the chances that the forest will indeed recover, so that it
can better recharge the ground water table.

  It is also imperative, now that the Jarawa have laid down their arms, for
the administration to sincerely assume the task of protecting the Jarawa
forest by vigorous policing and prosecution. This 25-million-year-old rain
forest is not only a uniquely beautiful and rich ecosystem—guarded
until
recently by the Jarawa, with their very lives—but its survival is
essential to the viability of the Andaman Islands themselves. Forest
health is key to maintaining water resources and also to preserving
adjoining coral reefs, which are smothered by clay when trees are cut
down. The reefs in the Jarawa reserve are among the healthiest on the
islands, and have so far defied the worldwide death of corals from global
warming. (Note that coral reefs and sea grasses are nurseries for oceanic
species and benefit fishery operations, even those at a great distance.)
In order to survive even a decade or two longer, the reefs and grasses
will need to be treated like the fragile treasures that they are, and
protected from additional stresses. Poaching in Jarawa and Onge forests,
beaches and waters must come to an immediate halt. The various agencies
currently involved in policing the borders of the tribal reserves should
ideally be brought under a single integrated body charged with stopping
all intrusions, by land or water, into the Jarawa, Onge and other
reserves. Such a body will need to be empowered, not only with jeeps,
boats and other facilities, but also with the ability to root out
corruption and incompetence within its ranks. It will need to be run by
persons who bring inspiration and dedication toward accomplishing the task
at hand.

Of great importance is another job: creating a vigorous and inspired
organization to replace the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti. The AAJVS
has failed to provide quality service to the aboriginal groups. Personnel
who are untrained and uninspired have been dispatched to what they
consider punishment postings, with no supervision. It is hardly surprising
that abuses result, and “welfare” personnel can be found pushing
alcohol
and molesting minors, not to mention lining their pockets, with impunity.
Note that different departments are currently responsible for deputing
personnel to tribal areas: the teacher, the compounder, the welfare worker
all answer to different supervisors. (In addition, deputees from a number
of other departments such as Fisheries, Agriculture or Public Works are
invariably to be found in tribal reserves, as also are relatives and
friends of authorized personnel.) If someone’s performance is
seriously
flawed, he or she is at most transferred and another person deputed almost
at random. This system offers no accountability. To make matters worse,
there is no supervision, with senior personnel of the AAJVS as well as the
Department of Tribal Welfare all being deskbound in Port Bair. If someone
in authority does visit, it is with a lot of advance warning, so that
problems—such as light-skinned children on Strait Island—are
hidden away
during the trip.
For instance, take a situation that developed in 1998. A social worker on
Strait Island was accused, by all the Great Andamanese adults, of
fathering the baby of a thirteen-year-old. Note that this is a criminal
offence, technically rape; it is even creepier when the offender is a
welfare worker and the victim is a child entrusted to his care. The case
was ultimately dropped because the girl, presumably under pressure, named
other men as possible fathers. The accused social worker was dispatched to
a distant settlement, where the harm he did would truly be out of sight.

A dynamic, concerned welfare system would match the DNA of the child with
that of the accused, establishing the matter of paternity. This test can
easily be done by Dr. Biswanath Sarkar of the Anthropological Survey of
India in Kolkata. And here is a more radical suggestion: take DNA samples
of all the Great Andamanese children ten years old or less, and compare
these with the DNA of social workers, plantation workers, compounders and
other personnel who have spent long stretches on the settlements. That
would immediately unearth some of the worst offenders in the system. The
names of the children should be kept secret, but the fathers should, at
the very least, be fired.

Like other government departments, the AAJVS is expected to generate
employment. But that violates one of the basic principles of our proposal,
minimality. More outsiders interacting with aboriginals invariably means
more abuse; therefore, the number of personnel at any settlement should be
kept to an absolute minimum. Another principle that the AAJVS ignores is
sensitivity. Personnel are dispatched to tribal settlements with no
training whatsoever, and no appreciation of tribal customs. In 1998, I
found the compounder at Dugong Creek, a pleasant young man who would, with
proper training, be very useful in his post, instead telling the Onge not
to use their traditional clay paint on their bodies. These clay
decorations have ritual and medicinal significance to the Onge, apart from
being far more beautiful than the rags they are generally to be found in.
It should be compulsory for all personnel dispatched to tribal settlements
to first take courses from anthropologists on the history and customs of
the people they are paid to serve.

Finally, to ensure accountability, all personnel serving the Onge, Jarawa,
Great Andamanese and Shompen must answer to the same person, who will be
empowered to hire, train, supervise and fire them. This senior individual
will have to be dynamic, for the job will involve travel within the
islands, and committed to doing his or her task superbly. He or she should
be answerable to a concerned executive council, whose members are
themselves required to make unannounced site visits to assess the
performance of the system and to make necessary corrections. The current
governing board, at 16 members, is too large to be effective, and adding
or subtracting a few members will scarcely make a difference. The
executive council should contain five members, a number large enough to
contain adequate expertise but not so large that it is unwieldy. Moreover,
the executive council should be guided in its decisions by an advisory
body made of independent experts, which will formulate a long-term vision
for the Jarawa and other aboriginal groups.

Other, and deeper, structural changes will be necessary to making the
AAJVS effective. For instance, the executive council should ideally be
headed by an advocate for the Andamanese. Let me explain why, by referring
to the period that India spent under colonial rule. When the British came
to India, it was a rich country, and by the time they left, it was a poor
country. This was partly because the rulers demanded enormous taxes from
poor farmers, so that they had no savings and in times of drought died in
the millions of starvation. Yet, India had several Viceroys who were
decent men, concerned about the suffering of Indians. Almost invariably,
their efforts to reform the system were axed in London, by the Secretary
of State for India. The Secretary of State was, in turn, simply doing his
job, which was to look after British interests; indeed, he could scarcely
have kept his position if he did otherwise.

I bring this up because our relationship with the Andamanese is similar,
in many respects, to the relationship the British had with us: we are
outsiders with enormous power over them and their fate. To make sure that
we do not do them great harm, or at least more harm than they have already
suffered, we need to think about how we can use this power.

The AAJVS, for instance, is currently run by a governing body headed by
the Lieutenant Governor. It goes without saying that the LG is supposed to
serve the interests of Indians. His position, with regard to the Andamans,
is like that of the British Secretary of State for India—in every
decision, he must respect the interests of the politically powerful
community. And traditionally, the LG, whoever he might be, has done very
little to protect aboriginal interests. He has looked the other way as
poachers depleted Onge and Jarawa resources, and tolerated the many abuses
perpetrated on tribals by employees of the AAJVS. Indeed, one can expect
little else, given that the LG’s primary allegiance is not to the
tribals.

Yet, surely an agency such as the AAJVS, which exists with the avowed
intent of serving aboriginals, should be putting their welfare first. How
can we ensure that this happens? Ideally, the answer would be to put
someone in charge of the AAJVS who does not answer to political masters,
and so can truly serve as an advocate for the Andamanese. It is hard to
see the Andaman administration accepting a secondary role, however,
especially when it is paying the bills. So the solution we propose is that
the executive council overseeing the AAJVS should include the LG, but not
as a chairman—simply as convener who will call meetings. And the
executive
council should have a majority of non-official members, say three out of
five, to ensure that at least in this very small, limited realm, tribal
interests have a chance of winning out.

Else, will there ever even be an Andamanese historian to scrutinize these
decades and judge our policies?

Last but not least, the administration, with the active help of the
Anthropological Survey of India, needs to undertake a sensitization
program among communities living on the edges of the Jarawa, Onge and
possibly also the Shompen reserves, so that the more powerful community
becomes reluctant to appropriate tribal resources. Social censure, backed
up by effective policing, can go a long way toward stopping poaching and
other activities that harm tribal interests. Such an education program may
be as simple as inviting anthropologists and other knowledgeable persons
to speak at Kadamtala, Tirur, Hut Bay and other locations, while giving
locals a chance to express their own grievances as well. Needless to say,
other government personnel, especially those in departments (such as
Forest) that have traditionally exploited Jarawa resources, can also
benefit from such an education program.

Some people may complain that we are spending too much effort trying to
save fewer than five hundred aboriginals. I believe, though, that the fate
of the archipelago is tied to the fate of the aboriginals—in their
hearts
resides the soul of the Andamans. If they wither, so will the islands.
Just think of what will happen if the Jarawa die off, or become physically
and morally enfeebled: their forests and beaches will be trucked away and
the Andamans will become unliveable, for lack of water if nothing else.
Another piece of this beautiful world will turn to dust. It is to the
interest of everyone living on the Andaman Islands to rally to the cause
of defending its original guardians. And we, as a people who have
experienced the worst of colonizations, need, for the peace of our own
minds, not to be brutal colonizers ourselves.

Madhusree is a freelance journalist and is also the author of the now
famous book “The land of naked people”.





C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239