Experts fear biodiversity loss in Andaman, Nicobar Islands
NEW DELHI: A slew of infrastructure projects have been proposed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to give a major boost to tourism there, according to information released by the central government. While these will transform the islands substantially, experts are worried that this would lead to biodiversity loss and a negative impact on the indigenous people in the ecologically sensitive islands.
Information uploaded on the Union environment ministry’s Parivesh website suggests that multiple infrastructure projects are being considered by an expert appraisal committee (EAC) and a coastal regulation zone (CRZ) committee. Some of these projects include luxury tents and resorts on some islands; two water aerodrome projects in Shaheed and Swaraj islands (formerly Neil and Havelock islands, respectively); a new integrated terminal building at the Port Blair airport; two major township and area development projects on the Great Nicobar Island and Little Andaman, one of which is also likely to involve denotification of a tribal reserve.
All of this will involve massive land use change in the ecologically fragile islands. On May 28, the CRZ committee considered an application by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) to waive off a condition under the CRZ clearance granted to them for developing luxury tents in Aves Island on a publicprivate partnership mode. One of the CRZ conditions was that all large, medium, and small trees will be counted and georeferenced and not cut or felled. But now ANIIDCO is seeking an amendment to this clause so that trees may be felled if required.
“As a chairman of the committee, I cannot comment on what was discussed or what amendments are being made to the conditions,” said Deepak Apte, chairman of EAC on CRZ issues.
Documents show that the
Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority (ANCZMA) has recommended that the condition be waived off. “ANCZMA is retracting its mandatory precaution by claiming that environment impact assessments do not include ‘tree canopy issues’. This justification is unlikely to hold legal scrutiny or scientific rigour. Review of proposals under the CRZ notification requires scientific rigour and legal basis. They cannot be turned into regulatory convenience resulting in the abdication of responsibility, as has happened in the present case,” said Kanchi Kohli, legal researcher, Centre for Policy Research, a think tank.
On Friday, the EAC on infrastructure projects also considered the development of a water aerodrome at Shaheed Island by the Airports Authority of India. Documents available on Parivesh say that a mangrove patch is present 0.9 km to the west of the project site. Only last month, the EAC had raised several concerns about the ecological impact of constructing a water aerodrome at Swaraj Island that would have resulted in the loss of 3,500 square metres of forest land transferred to ANIIDCO. The environment impact assessment report says that the site for the construction of the terminal building (1,568.9 sqm) and associated infrastructure (453.3 sqm) falls partly in mangroves.
Two major township projects on the Little Andaman Island and the Great Nicobar region conceptualised by Niti Aayog will also be constructed by ANIIDCO.
Niti Aayog’s vision document on sustainable development of Little Andaman, seen by HT, proposes to free certain portions of the two largest islands, Great Nicobar and Little Andaman, “for economic and strategic benefits to the country but at the same time ensure conservation of the rich bio-diversity and primitive tribal groups in the core of these islands.”
It also says that a certain portion of the 442.5 square kilometre area reserved for the Onge tribe will be de-notified for the Little Andaman township, and another area earmarked for the tribe. “The de-notification of the tribal reserve is being considered by the tribal welfare department,” said a senior ANIIDCO official, refusing to be identified.
The eastern coast of the island will be developed as “city side” with a finance district, healthcare institutions, tourism and hospitality, offices, entertainment, and residential and social spaces. The southern coast of the island will be developed as an entertainment zone with sports institutes, water-based sports, and support housing. The western coast is being considered for wellness institutes, theme resorts and exclusive, super luxurious forest resorts, etc.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands chief secretary Jitendra Narain did not respond to Hindustan Times’ calls and messages on the impact on tribals.
HT had reported on May 12 that EAC had recommended the Great Nicobar township proposal for grant of terms of reference. Documents had revealed that the project was likely to impact turtle and megapode nesting sites and affect coral reefs. EAC had also said that the environmental aspects of the site having many endangered species weren’t given much weightage while selecting it.
Kartik Shanker, professor at the Indian Institute of Science’s Centre for Ecological Sciences and a specialist in community ecology and macroecology, and turtle biology, said the islands host tremendous marine biodiversity. “Development is definitely needed in the islands, but it needs to be ecologically sensitive and culturally conscious. These are some of the most important repositories of our biodiversity and ecological heritage and any development must simultaneously minimise ecological impacts and benefit local communities,” said Shanker.
Great Nicobar is home to several endemic species such as the Nicobar megapode and the Nicobar tree shrew. Galathea and beaches in Little Andaman are important nesting sites for leatherback turtles.
“Nowhere else in India would one find thriving tropical rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems within a hundred metres of each other. The main livelihood generators of these islands are tourism and fisheries and sustaining them requires maintaining healthy ecosystems,” said Naveen Namboothri, director, Dakshin Foundation, a green NGO.