DOCSLIB.ORG

Saving the Andamans

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Saving the Andamans SAVING THE ANDAMANS TOWARDS A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS Shekhar Singh Uma Bordoloi MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION 2002 THE ISLANDS AND THE PEOPLE ........................................................... 7 I. THE ISLANDS ...................................................................................................... 8 Geography and Geology ............................................................................................. 9 Soil .............................................................................................................................. 9 Climate ...................................................................................................................... 10 Land Use ................................................................................................................... 10 Forestry ..................................................................................................................... 11 Industry ..................................................................................................................... 12 Fisheries .................................................................................................................... 12 Agriculture ................................................................................................................ 13 Energy ....................................................................................................................... 15 Tourism ..................................................................................................................... 16 II THE PEOPLE ..................................................................................................... 18 The Tribals of the Andamans .................................................................................... 19 The Andamanese ................................................................................................... 20 The Onges ............................................................................................................. 21 The Jarawas ........................................................................................................... 23 The Sentinelese ..................................................................................................... 24 Tribals of the Nicobar islands ................................................................................... 25 The Nicobarese ..................................................................................................... 25 The Shompens ....................................................................................................... 25 The Former Convicts and their Descendants ............................................................ 26 The Settlers ............................................................................................................... 27 The Refugees ............................................................................................................ 27 The Mainlanders ....................................................................................................... 28 The Karens ................................................................................................................ 28 The Recent Immigrants ............................................................................................. 28 III THE HISTORY ............................................................................................... 29 Early History ............................................................................................................. 29 Colonial History ........................................................................................................ 30 Contemporary History .............................................................................................. 34 The History of Biological Explorations .................................................................... 34 IV THE ECOLOGY ............................................................................................. 40 Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 41 Mammals............................................................................................................... 42 Birds ...................................................................................................................... 43 Reptiles ................................................................................................................. 45 Marine Life ........................................................................................................... 46 Fish ........................................................................................................................ 49 Corals .................................................................................................................... 49 Flora .......................................................................................................................... 51 Forests ................................................................................................................... 56 2 Mangroves............................................................................................................. 58 Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................... 60 THREATS TO THE ECOSYSTEM ............................................................ 61 V POLICY AND LAW ........................................................................................... 62 The Indian Forest Act 1927 ...................................................................................... 62 The Forest Conservation Act 1980 ........................................................................... 62 The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 .......................................................................... 62 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 ..................................... 62 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 ......................................... 63 The Environmental Protection Act 1986 .................................................................. 63 Coastal Regulation Zones ......................................................................................... 63 VI THREATENED FORESTS ........................................................................... 66 Commercial Forestry ................................................................................................ 68 Plantations ................................................................................................................. 78 Local Needs .............................................................................................................. 80 Encroachments on Forest Land ................................................................................. 80 VII THREATENED BEACHES, CORALS AND MANGROVES ................... 83 Beaches ..................................................................................................................... 83 Corals ........................................................................................................................ 85 Mangroves................................................................................................................. 86 VIII THREATS TO SPECIES .................................................................................... 87 Poaching and Over-exploitation ............................................................................... 87 Introduction of Exotics ............................................................................................. 88 IX GENERAL THREATS ................................................................................... 97 Inappropriate Tourism .............................................................................................. 97 Diversion of Land and Felling Of Trees ................................................................... 97 Distribution of Timber and Non-Timber Forest Produce ......................................... 98 STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.................... 99 X CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES .................................................... 100 Livelihood Concerns ............................................................................................... 102 Development Concerns ........................................................................................... 104 Potential for Economic Development ..................................................................... 105 Protecting Forests and Biodiversity ........................................................................ 106 Meeting Local Demand....................................................................................... 106 Wood Based Industry .......................................................................................... 110 Encroachments .................................................................................................... 111 Biodiversity Conservation .................................................................................. 113 Conservation of Beaches..................................................................................... 114 Miscellaneous
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Village Contingency Plan
    Village Contingency Plan 1 Andaman and Nicobar Administration Rescue 2012 Shelter Management Psychosocial Care NDMA SCR Early Warning Rescue First Aid Mock Drill A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 I N D E X SL. NO. CONTENTS PAGE NO. 1 Map of A&N Islands 07 CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE NO. I Introduction 08 II Hazard Analysis 11 III Union Territory Disaster Management System 24 IV UT Disaster Management Executive Committee 32 V District Disaster Management 35 VI Directorate of Disaster Management 52 VII Incident Response System 64 VIII Village Contingency Plan 90 IX Disaster Mitigation 104 X Preparedness Plan 128 XI Response Plan 133 XII Rehabilitation 140 XIII Appraisal, Documentation and Reporting 141 XIV Standard Operating Procedures 143 XV Glossary of Terms 150 XVI Explanations 155 XVII Abbreviations 160 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 1 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 2 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 3 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 4 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 5 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 6 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Directorate of Disaster Management | Andaman and Nicobar Administration 7 A&N Islands Disaster Management Plan 2012 Chapter-I INTRODUCTION ISLANDS AT A GLANCE 1.1 LOCATION 1.1.1 The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretches over 700 kms from North to South with 37 inhabited Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommendations on Improving Telecom Services in Andaman
    Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Recommendations on Improving Telecom Services in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep 22 nd July, 2014 Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, New Delhi – 110002 CONTENTS CHAPTER-I: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER- II: METHODOLOGY FOLLOWED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED 10 CHAPTER- III: TELECOM PLAN FOR ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS 36 CHAPTER- IV: COMPREHENSIVE TELECOM PLAN FOR LAKSHADWEEP 60 CHAPTER- V: SUPPORTING POLICY INITIATIVES 74 CHAPTER- VI: SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 84 ANNEXURE 1.1 88 ANNEXURE 1.2 90 ANNEXURE 2.1 95 ANNEXURE 2.2 98 ANNEXURE 3.1 100 ANNEXURE 3.2 101 ANNEXURE 5.1 106 ANNEXURE 5.2 110 ANNEXURE 5.3 113 ABBREVIATIONS USED 115 i CHAPTER-I: INTRODUCTION Reference from Department of Telecommunication 1.1. Over the last decade, the growth of telecom infrastructure has become closely linked with the economic development of a country, especially the development of rural and remote areas. The challenge for developing countries is to ensure that telecommunication services, and the resulting benefits of economic, social and cultural development which these services promote, are extended effectively and efficiently throughout the rural and remote areas - those areas which in the past have often been disadvantaged, with few or no telecommunication services. 1.2. The Role of telecommunication connectivity is vital for delivery of e- Governance services at the doorstep of citizens, promotion of tourism in an area, educational development in terms of tele-education, in health care in terms of telemedicine facilities. In respect of safety and security too telecommunication connectivity plays a vital role.
    [Show full text]
  • BOBLME-2011-Ecology-07
    BOBLME-2011-Ecology-07 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. BOBLME contract: PSA-GCP 148/07/2010 For bibliographic purposes, please reference this publication as: BOBLME (2011) Country report on pollution – India. BOBLME-2011-Ecology-07 CONTENTS Chapter 1 The Bay of Bengal Coast of India 1 1.1 Biogeographical Features 1 1.2 Coastal Ecosystems of the Bay of Bengal Region 8 1.3 Coastal activities of high economic value in terms of GDP 19 Chapter 2 Overview of sources of pollution 33 2.1 Land based Pollution (Both point and non-point sources of 33 pollution) 2.2 Sea/ Marine-based Pollution 40 Chapter 3 Existing water and sediment quality objectives 43 and targets 3.1 Introduction 43 3.2 Wastewater generation in coastal areas 43 Chapter 4 The National Program Coastal Ocean Monitoring 49 and Prediction System 4.1 Mapping hotspots along the coast 49 4.2 Time series analysis and significant findings 53 4.3 Role of Ministries 67 4.3.1 Ministry of Environment and
    [Show full text]
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
    INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Report on Land Use in the ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS by D.N. McVean IUCN CONSULTANT Library CH - 1196 Gland With Financial Assistance from The Government of India and The United Nations Environmental Programme Morges, Switzerland Jwte, 1976 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ••••••••••••••••••••••ct•••• .. •••••·••••••••••11:e•••••••••• 1 SuDID8.ry ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 ••••••• ,. fl •• fl " M .............. 6 •• a • • 1 ENVIRONMENTAL Il!PACT ASSESSMENT ....... " .. " .......................... 2 Effect of de.forestation on climate • " • ll ............................ 2 Accelerated soil erosion ........... ....... ... .. .... ................ 3 Water supplies, perennial and seasonal ... " ....................... 5 Forestry ···•~41~••••11•••••···········••t-•••····················· 7 Agriculture and settlement ••••••••••....••••• , • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9 Plantation agriculture ••••11•••·••!:ilf'• '!lr ••························· 11 Other development 12 ··············-~r.o••··················-····· CONSERVATION .......................... ., ...... ,_ ................... 14 Terrestrial habitats •••• S • e • I • IJ ... I ••• S e 4 I' ••• e ••• • ••••••••• I' ••••• 14 Marine habitats .............. ....... II. ....................... 17 Indigenous tribes • ' .. e • • llJo 1' • + "' • e .. + • • • • • • • • • ' ' • Ill- 4' .. t • • ... II 4 41 • •• • • 18 COMMEN'.i:S ON PREVIOUS REPORTS ...... ,.••••••••• ,.,. •••••••••••••••••••••• 41. 19 RECOMMENDATIONS
    [Show full text]
  • The Last Island of the Savages
    The Last Island of the Savages Journeying to the Andaman Islands to meet the most isolated tribe on Earth By Adam Goodheart | September 5, 2000 Ana Raquel S. Hernandes/Flickr The lumps of white coral shone round the dark mound like a chaplet of bleached skulls, and everything around was so quiet that when I stood still all sound and all movement in the world seemed to come to an end. It was a great peace, as if the earth had been one grave, and for a time I stood there thinking mostly of the living who, buried in remote places out of the knowledge of mankind, still are fated to share in its tragic or grotesque miseries. In its noble struggles too—who knows? The human heart is vast enough to contain all the world. It is valiant enough to bear the burden, but where is the courage that would cast it off? —Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim Shortly before midnight on August 2, 1981, a Panamanian-registered freighter called the Primrose, which was traveling in heavy seas between Bangladesh and Australia with a cargo of poultry feed, ran aground on a coral reef in the Bay of Bengal. As dawn broke the next morning, the captain was probably relieved to see dry land just a few hundred yards from the Primrose’s resting place: a low-lying island, several miles across, with a narrow beach of clean white sand giving way to dense jungle. If he consulted his charts, he realized that this was North Sentinel Island, a western outlier in the Andaman archipelago, which belongs to India and stretches in a ragged line between Burma and Sumatra.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2 Introduction to the Geography and Geomorphology Of
    Downloaded from http://mem.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on February 7, 2017 Chapter 2 Introduction to the geography and geomorphology of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands P. C. BANDOPADHYAY1* & A. CARTER2 1Department of Geology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700019, India 2Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK *Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The geography and the geomorphology of the Andaman–Nicobar accretionary ridge (islands) is extremely varied, recording a complex interaction between tectonics, climate, eustacy and surface uplift and weathering processes. This chapter outlines the principal geographical features of this diverse group of islands. Gold Open Access: This article is published under the terms of the CC-BY 3.0 license The Andaman–Nicobar archipelago is the emergent part of a administrative headquarters of the Nicobar Group. Other long ridge which extends from the Arakan–Yoma ranges of islands of importance are Katchal, Camorta, Nancowry, Till- western Myanmar (Burma) in the north to Sumatra in the angchong, Chowra, Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar. The lat- south. To the east the archipelago is flanked by the Andaman ter is the largest covering 1045 km2. Indira Point on the south Sea and to the west by the Bay of Bengal (Fig. 1.1). A coast of Great Nicobar Island, named after the honorable Prime c. 160 km wide submarine channel running parallel to the Minister Smt Indira Gandhi of India, lies 147 km from the 108 N latitude between Car Nicobar and Little Andaman northern tip of Sumatra and is India’s southernmost point.
    [Show full text]
  • Andaman Islands, India
    Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery. 2019, 3(4): 398-405 © 2019 GCdataPR DOI:10.3974/geodp.2019.04.15 Global Change Research Data Publishing & Repository www.geodoi.ac.cn Global Change Data Encyclopedia Andaman Islands, India Shen, Y.1 Liu, C.1* Shi, R. X.1 Chen, L. J.2 1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; 2. National Geomatics Center of China, Beijing 100830, China Keywords: Andaman Islands; Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Bay of Bengal; Indian Ocean; India; data encyclopedia Andaman Islands is the main part of the An- daman and Nicobar Islands. It belongs to the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and its geo-location is 10°30′39″N–13°40′36″N, 92°11′55″E–94°16′ 38″E[1]. It is located between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea (Figure 1). It is separated from Coco Islands[2] by Coco Chanel at its north, and from Nicobar Islands[3] by Ten De- gree Chanel at its south. The Andaman Islands consists of Great Andaman Archipelago[4], Lit- tle Andaman Group[5], Ritchie’s Archipelago[6], [7] [8] East Volcano Islands and Sentinel Islands Figure 1 Map of Andaman Islands (Figure 2), with a total of 211 islands (islets, [1] (.kmz format) rocks) . The total area of the Andaman Islands is 5,787.79 km2, and the coastline is 2,878.77 km. Great Andaman Archipelago is the main part of Andaman Islands, and is the largest Ar- chipelago in Andaman Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • An Daman N I Co Bar Islands
    IMPERIAL GAZETfEER OF INDIA PROVINCIAL SERIES AN DAMAN AND N I CO BAR ISLANDS • SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING CALCUTTA . ,. • 1909 Price Rs:·~:_s, or 2s. 3d.] PREFACE THE articles in this volume were written by Lieut.-Colonel Sir Richard C. Temple, Bart., C.I.E., formerly Chid Com- • missioner, and have been brought up to date by the present officers of the Penal Settlement at Port Blair. · As regards the Andamans, the sections on Geology, Botany, and Fauna are based on notes supplied respectively by Mr. T. H. Holland, Director of the Geological Survey of India; Lieut.-Colonel Prain, I. M.S., formerly Superintendent of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Calcutta; and Major A. R. S. Anderson, I.M.S., formerly Senior Medical Officer, Port Blair. · Am~ng the printed works chiefly used ~ay be mentioned those of Mr. E. H. Man, C.I.E., and Mr. M. V. Portman, both formerly officers of the Penal Settlement. As regards the Nicobars, the sections on Geology, Botany, and Zoology are chiefly based on the notes of Dr. Rink of the Danish Ga!athea expedition, of Dr. von lfochstetter of the Austrian Novara expedition, and of the late Dr. Valentine Ball. The other printed works chiefly 11sed are those of Mr. E. H. Man, C.I.E., and the late Mr. de Roepstorff, an officer of the Penal Settlement. In both accounts. official reports have been freely used, while the article on the Penal Settlement at Port Blair is entirely based on them. For the remarks on the languages of the native population Sir Richard Temple is responsible.
    [Show full text]
  • Short Communication Conservation Needs of the Coconut Crab Birgus Latro on the Nicobar Islands, India
    Short Communication Conservation needs of the coconut crab Birgus latro on the Nicobar Islands, India V ARDHAN P ATANKAR and E LRIKA D ’ SOUZA Abstract We describe the distribution of the coconut crab dependence on the sea is for releasing eggs, which hatch in Birgus latro, categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red contact with seawater; the planktonic larvae then migrate List, local perspectives towards the species, and its onto land where they develop into long-lived adults (Reese conservation needs on the Nicobar Islands in the eastern & Kinzie, 1968). The successful recruitment of larvae to Indian Ocean. The species is threatened with extinction the adult population is irregular (Schiller et al., 1991; Schiller, across most of its range and in India it is found only on a few 1992). islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagoes. We In many parts of its range the coconut crab is hunted carried out informal discussions with Nicobari commu- for consumption. A slow growth rate and long life span nities to examine issues regarding conservation of the combined with high levels of exploitation and habitat species and conducted timed searches in areas where degradation make the species susceptible to overexploita- coconut crabs were likely to be found. The discussions tion (Fletcher & Amos, 1994) and in many countries the revealed that there are social taboos against hunting the crab is virtually extinct (Schiller, 1992). However, the length coconut crab on most of the Nicobar Islands. However, on of the planktonic larval phase of the species, which is 3–4 some islands these taboos are not being followed and weeks, could provide sufficient time for dispersal and thus community members may hunt the crab for consumption.
    [Show full text]
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands Pondicherry. Census Atlas, Part-XII
    CENSUS OF INDIA 2001 SERIES-36 &35 PART-XII ANDAMANAND NICOBAR ISLANDS & PONDICHERRY CENSUS ATLAS Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India FOREWARD Census ofIndia, is perhaps, one of the largest castes and scheduled tribes, education and producer of maps in the country and in each census housing characteristics of the StatelUnion territory. decade nearly 10,000 maps of different categories The unit of the presentation of data is district/sub­ and themes are published. Earlier to 1961 Census, district. The adoption of GIS technique has not the maps were published in the census reports/tables only made this work more comprehensive but has as supporting documents. During Census 1961, a helped improve the quality of Census Atlas 200 I of new series of 'Census Atlas of States and Union State and Union territories. territories' was introduced which has been continued in the subsequent censuses. The maps have been prepared mostly by choropleth technique but other cartographic Census Atlas of States and Union territories methodologies, such as bar and sphere diagrams, 2001 are based on census data covering different pyramids, isotherms and isohyets have also been themes. Broadly, there are one hundred and adopted to prepare the maps as per the suitability twenty three themes proposed to be included in the and requirement of data. StatelUnion territory Census Atlas. But the number ns well its presentation varies from State to This project has been completed by the State depending upon the availability of data. The respective Directorates under the technical maps included in the publication are divided into supervision of Shri C.
    [Show full text]
  • District Statistical Handbook. 2010-11 Andaman & Nicobar.Pdf
    lR;eso t;rs v.Meku rFkk fudksckj }hilewg ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS Published by : Directorate of Economics & Statistics ftyk lkaf[;dh; iqfLrdk Andaman & Nicobar Administration DISTRICT STATISTICAL HAND BOOK Port Blair 2010-11 vkfFZkd ,oa lkaf[;dh funs'kky; v.Meku rFkk fudksckj iz'kklu iksVZ Cys;j DIRECTORATE OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ADMINISTRATION Printed by the Manager, Govt. Press, Port Blair PORT BLAIR çLrkouk PREFACE ftyk lkaf[;dh; iqfLrdk] 2010&2011 orZeku laLdj.k The present edition of District Statistical Hand Øe esa lksygok¡ gS A bl laLdj.k esa ftyk ds fofHkUu {ks=ksa ls Book, 2010-11 is the sixteenth in the series. It presents lacaf/kr egÙoiw.kZ lkaf[;dh; lwpukvksa dks ljy rjhds ls izLrqr important Statistical Information relating to the three Districts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in a handy form. fd;k x;k gS A The Directorate acknowledges with gratitude the funs'kky; bl iqfLrdk ds fy, fofHkUu ljdkjh foHkkxksa@ co-operation extended by various Government dk;kZy;ksa rFkk vU; ,stsfUl;ksa }kjk miyC/k djk, x, Departments/Agencies in making available the statistical lkaf[;dh; vkWadM+ksa ds fy, muds izfr viuk vkHkkj izdV djrk data presented in this publication. gS A The publication is the result of hard work put in by Shri Martin Ekka, Shri M.P. Muthappa and Smti. D. ;g izdk'ku Jh ch- e¨gu] lkaf[;dh; vf/kdkjh ds Susaiammal, Senior Investigators, under the guidance of ekxZn'kZu rFkk fuxjkuh esa Jh ekfVZu ,Ddk] Jh ,e- ih- eqÉIik Shri B. Mohan, Statistical Officer.
    [Show full text]
  • Sharania Anthony
    CHAPTER-I INTRODUCTION Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated in the Bay of Bengal. The Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of Bengal as well as a part of it in the Indian Ocean is the abode of the Nicobarese a scheduled tribe of India.It is separated by the turbulent ten degree channel from the Andamans and spread over 300 kilometres.The Archipelago comprises nineteen islands namely Car Nicobar, Batti Malv, Chowra, Tillangchong, Teressa, Bompoka, Kamorta, Trinkat, Nancowry, Kachal, Meroe, Trak, Treis, Menchal, Pulo Milo, Little Nicobar, Cobra, Kondul, And Great Nicobar. These geographical names, given by the foreigners, are not used by the indigenous people of the islands. The native names of the islands as well as their dimensions are set out in descending order from north to south. Of the nineteen islands only twelve are inhabited while seven remain uninhabited. The inhabitants of these twelve, Teressa, Bompoka, Nancowry, Kamorta, Trinkat and Kachal, Great Nicobar, Little islands are divided into five groups again, depending on language differentiation among the Nicobarese living in different islands. Accordingly, the groups are located in Car Nicobar, Chowra Nicobar, Pulo Milo and Kondul Islands. Broadly the Nicobars can be divided into three groups: 1. Car Nicobar: The Island of Car Nicobar popularly known as Carnic, the headquarters of the Nicobar Islands, is a flat piece of land with an area of 24 sq.kms. It has an airfield which receives a Boeing 737 every Monday from Calcutta, via, Port Blair. In fact, this is the only airlink with the rest of the world. 2.
    [Show full text]