By Meera Bharadwaj
Andaman Islands, the hotspot of biological diversity is facing conservation issues in view of unsustainable development. This is due to diversion of forests for infrastructure projects, rising incidents of hunting & poaching, environmental degradation, encroachments, and overexploitation of marine species by illegal fishing.
NEWLY REFURBISHED BRIDGE FROM MAYABUNDER ISLAND-DIGLIPUR, MAYABUNDER IS 3.8 KMS TO AVES ISLAND
The recent announcement by the local administration to develop 14 more new tourist destinations in Andaman Islands is a cause for serious concern now.
Environmentalists say any new development projects has to take into consideration the fragile ecology, marine wildlife and the island’s unique forest habitat.
MIDDLE STRAIT FACED BY HEAVY TRAFFIC ISSUES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Eco-tourism resorts have been planned for development in:
- Smith & Ross islands,
- Long Island,
- Aves Island,
- Shaheed Deep Island.
If the Master Plan has been finalized by the island authorities, in principle approval has already been obtained for upfront applicable environmental clearances.
KADAM TALA PROTECTION POST – CONNECTED BY BRIDGE TO BARATANG, MIDDLE ANDAMAN ISLAND
Apart from this, 11 sites/islands have been identified for development of tourism projects in the remote and dense evergreen forests of the following places:
- Kalipur & Ramnagar in Diglipur,
- Karmatang in Mayabunder,
- Amkunj and Raman Bagicha in Rangat,
- Merc Bay in North Bay Passage Island,
- North Bay, Wright Pyo, Flat Bay, Goodwill Estate, Rangachanga & Rangachang Extension in South Andaman.
THE ANDAMAN BIODIVERSITY WONDERLAND WITH ITS UNIQUE HABITAT
Home to more than a thousand endemic species, the island’s unique wildlife is sustained in both terrestrial & marine habitat that includes – coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass beds. And these support a variety of terrestrial and marine species.
Further, Andaman Island is ecologically vulnerable as its northern part is just 193 kms from Myanmar. It is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and is home to a high number of endemic species and vast geological history.
A VIEW OF RICH COASTAL VEGETATION IN NORTH ANDAMAN ISLANDS FROM NH-4 OR ATR ROAD
The total land area of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is only about 8249 sq. km of which about 86 per cent is covered in lush green rain forests.
These islands are the vast repository of rare, unique flora and fauna which is not found in the Indian mainland. The diverse ecosystems of the Andaman Islands range from dense rainforests, mangroves to vibrant coral reefs.
THICK MANGROVE FORESTS ON WAY TO LIMESTONE CAVES, BARATANG, MIDDLE ANDAMAN
The Andaman Islands has the unique distinction of having a coastline of 1962 square kilometers which is covered with thick and lush mangrove forests.
Mangroves are basically group of trees and shrubs that have adapted to flourishing in a salty environment. They are abundantly found in shallow and muddy salt of Andaman islands and are characterized by moist deciduous and wet evergreen forests.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS HOST ROCKS & MINERALS INCLUDING BASALT, MAGNETITE, PYRITE-CHALCOPYRITE FORMATIONS.
Despite the ongoing conservation efforts, wildlife experts, activists and biologists say concerted efforts are needed to save these islands from mindless development.
And therefore, they have called for sustainable development in Andaman Islands in view of many species and their habitat being threatened by unscientific projects in the verdant forests, mangroves and marine areas.