Report of the Committee on Land Matters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Report of the Committee on Land Matters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND MATTERS IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India DECEMBER 2017 Tribute to Andamans “ANDAMANS… ” O Mortals! I AM a land of ancient waters, an adress of long forgotten quarters, where heaven and earth meet, and races from antiquity await to greet… for my rural tresses of earthy smells, and charcoal clouds of mystic spells, were meant to enchant heathen lovers of nature, and bewitch their senses into submission… for i am the mother of forest pure and virgin, and my mountains are dressed in fog and green, and i protect all those who seek refuge, in my anonymous land of solitude… my sands are golden and crescent, laid beneath the canopy of ageless stars, i am the owner of darkest of nights and yellowest of days, for i am the lover of everything wild… o slaves! but i warn thee, you have been enslaved before, do not write your destiny by destrying me, for every destruction has brought about my creation, i will remain young forever in letter and in spirit, even long after your time has gone… so surrender, do not plunder, for my graves are watery, i was meant to be tamed by no man, behold my glory i am andaman… --- By Piyush rohankar Contents Executive Summary _______________________________________________________________ 1 - 2 Intoduction and overview __________________________________________________________ 3 - 17 Terms of Refrence _________________________________________________________________ 18 Terms of Refernce A & B __________________________________________________________ 19 - 34 Recomendations A & B ___________________________________________________________ 34 - 41 Terms of Refernce C ______________________________________________________________ 42 -46 Recomendations C ______________________________________________________________ 47 - 49 Terms of Refernce D ______________________________________________________________ 50 - 67 Recomendations D _______________________________________________________________ 68 - 70 Terms of Refernce E ______________________________________________________________ 71 - 93 Recomendations E _______________________________________________________________ 94 - 98 Terms of Refernce F (Revenue) ____________________________________________________ 99 - 114 Terms of Refernce F (Forest) _____________________________________________________ 115 - 117 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Resolution of land issues is generally time taking, often painstaking, and at times seemingly intractable matter. The gamut of land issues examined by the Committee displayed all these features. But it also brought out a significant facet that the case of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is, in many ways, sui generis, one of its own kind. Most of the demography of the Islands derives from the pre-and post- Independence settlement policies. Land was a basis of both sustenance and identity of settlers coming from the mainland. But in a predominantly forest area, there were limitations to growth and development. And the havoc of tsunami in 2004 made matters worse. The Committee interfaced with all sections of stakeholders, held public meetings, made field visits, went through copious records, heard the public representatives and had discussions with officers concerned. The upshot is a series of recommendations which, if implemented in toto, may go a long way in resolving chronic land issues. The compensation package for land lost to tsunami was clearly a compensation package, albeit an inadequate one. To regard it as relief package will not be justified, but a higher compensation, closer to the livelihood potential of the land lost, would be appropriate for those who opted for irrevocable surrender of land. Those who then opted to retain their portion of the submerged land, could continue to do so. The Committee has, as a fair and equitable dispensation, recommended accordingly. As regards the pre-1961 occupants who were not pre-1942, the Committee felt that restriction of the occupants being pre-1942 in the regularization scheme of 2003 approved by the Ministry was not tenable. Hence the Committee recommends that the excess land with pre-1961 occupants, as documented in the 1961 survey, should be regularized without any premium on the condition that the excess land will be regularized to the extent the occupants and their descendants have maintained their continuous possession of pre-1961 excess area of land till date. The then pre-1978 in-situ forest encroachers presently lying in 19 de-reserved blocks, now Revenue villages, need to be evicted and the ex-situ forest Pre-1978 2 | Page need to be accommodated as per previous plans, in compliance of the Apex Court orders dated 07.05.2002. The ex-situ pre-1978 forest encroachers who have been allotted 01 Ha land in the de-reserved blocks (now revenue village) should be evicted from the forest area and asked to occupy the allotted land in de-reserved pockets. The above actions are dependent upon the administration getting land vacated in the 19 de-reserved blocks from the excess possession of pre-1978 forest encroachers (in-situ) and eviction of post-1978 forest encroachers of 19 de- reserved block; the latter hinges upon the settlement plan approved by MHA pending decision under IA 2784/ 2010 before Hon’ble Supreme Court. For the post-1978 encroachers, MHA has approved the Settlement Plan of 2009 wherein the land under the possession of post-1978 encroachers may be regularized to the extent of 200 Sq. mtrs. (Urban) and 340 Sq. mtrs. (Rural). To this end, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration had filed IA 2784/ 2010 before the Apex Court seeking permission for implementation of the said plan. As a tangible way forward, Committee recommends an early decision in IA 2784/ 2010. The Committee observed a significant point that the post-1978 forest encroachers occupying land in the 19 de-reserved blocks are neither covered in the list of post-1978 revenue encroachers, nor in the list of post-1978 forest encroachers. These post-1978 forest encroachers need to be duly included in the settlement plan. Encroachments on public lands must, however, be made to stop eventually, and planned development must take its place. The current land regime needs to be overhauled and replaced by one capable of planned development of the Islands. The Committee is of the firm view that both the legal and administrative frameworks underlying revenue administration need to be significantly strengthened. Weak capacity in management of lands has been a major factor behind the prevailing state of affairs. The 1966 regulatory framework needs be amended to suit present day needs and dedicated capacity needs to be created for effective land management. The Committee strongly feels taking a macro and long-term view by the Government of India on the issue of land management in the Islands. This may involve a paradigm shift in so far as the approach to economic development in the Islands goes, and may involve freeing of more land from forest cover, for holistic development of the Islands, in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. 3 | Page 1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a remotely located group of 572 Islands in the Andaman Sea with 38 inhabited Islands. The geographical area of the Islands is 8249 Sq Kms. spread across a distance of about 736 Kms from North to South. The Islands are broadly equidistant from Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata with a flying time of about two hours and a boat journey of about three days. The Islands are closer to Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia than they are to the Indian mainland. Benchmarking: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are comparable in size to large tropical Island nations like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and are much larger than Islands countries in the neighborhood like Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore. The Table below presents a benchmarking of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with some important comparators- Benchmarking of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Sl Name Area Area Population Tourist Per No (Sq Km) under Density Arrivals capita forest (person/ (2005) (Lakhs) income (%) Sq.Km) (2005) 1 A & N 8249 90 43 0.56 637 Islands 2 Maldives 300 3.3 1287 3.95 4600 3 Seychelles 451 66.7 182 1.29 16600 4 Singapore 707 3.3 6517 89.43 49990 5 Jamaica 10830 30 257 14.78 4800 6 Trinidad 5128 50.5 206 4.63 21700 &Tobago 7 Barbados 430 4.7 656 5.47 18900 8 Fiji 18274 44.6 50 5.50 4100 (source : Tourism Policy, A & N Administration, 2010) The above table indicates clearly that the A & N Islands are one of the larger Island Territories in the Tropics with a disproportionately high area under forest cover. With low per capita income and low tourist arrivals, the economic potential of A & N Islands is yet to be tapped. The excessive focus on preserving forest cover compared to other Island nations has undermined the economic growth and livelihood opportunities for persons residing in A & N Islands. The Committee believes that a major course correction is called, for based on international experience, by striking a better balance between 4 | Page economic growth and environmental sustainability, as has been achieved in comparator Island territories. Land use pattern Being isolated for millennia, the A & N Islands enjoy a high degree of endemism and are also home to three major Primitive Tribe (population about 600-700) who continue to the hunters and gatherers. It is therefore not surprising that the A & N Islands are recognized as a treasure trove in terms of biodiversity and a virtual laboratory for anthropologists. The priority for forest cover is reflected in the land use pattern which is as below: Reserved / Protected forest 7171 Sq Km ( 86.93 %) Water bodies, Coastal land, Intertidal Zone, 394.54 Sq Km (4.79%) Mud Flats, Coral reefs etc. Revenue area( Deemed forest) 162.50 Sq Km( 1.97%) Effective Revenue land available with A & N 520.51 ( 6.31 %) Admin. 8249 Sq Km Out of 520.51 Sq Km revenue land, 325.80 Sq Km is under utilization by way of allotment to private persons and Govt. Depts. An additional area of 187 Sq Km is under utilization for common facilities like roads, grazing land and other purposes.
Recommended publications
  • Assessment of Fresh Water Resources for Effective Crop Planning in South Andaman District
    J Krishi Vigyan 2018, 7 (Special Issue) : 6-11 DOI : 10.5958/2349-4433.2018.00148.4 Assessment of Fresh Water Resources for Effective Crop Planning in South Andaman District B K Nanda1, N Sahoo2, B Panigrahi3 and J C Paul4 ICAR-KVK, Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands) ABSTRACT The rainfall data for 40 yr from 1978 to 2017 of the rainfed tropical islands of South Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar group of islands were analyzed to find out the weekly effective rainfall. Weekly and monthly effective runoff was calculated by following the US Soil Conservation Service - Curve Number (SCS-CN) method. The value of weekly effective rainfall and monthly effective runoff at different level of probabilities was obtained with the help of ‘FLOOD’ software. The sum of effective rainfalls of standard meteorological weeks from 18th to 48th gives the value of fresh water resource availability during kharif season and the same value at 80 percent level of probability was estimated to be 2.07 X105 ha.m. The sum of expected runoff of every month resulted due to the effective rainfall gives the water resource availability during rabi season and its value at 80 percent level of probability was found to be 4.8 X 103 ha.m. All these information will immensely help the farmers, policy makers, planners and researchers to prepare a comprehensive crop action plan for the South Andaman district to make the agriculture profitable and sustainable. Key Words: Curve number, Effective rainfall, Fresh water resources, Storage capacity, Tropical islands INTRODUCTION the Nicobar Islands, which is separated by 10o Small islands are prevalent in the humid channel.
    [Show full text]
  • The Andaman Islands Penal Colony: Race, Class, Criminality, and the British Empire*
    IRSH 63 (2018), Special Issue, pp. 25–43 doi:10.1017/S0020859018000202 © 2018 Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The Andaman Islands Penal Colony: Race, Class, Criminality, and the British Empire* C LARE A NDERSON School of History, Politics and International Relations University of Leicester University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: This article explores the British Empire’s configuration of imprisonment and transportation in the Andaman Islands penal colony. It shows that British governance in the Islands produced new modes of carcerality and coerced migration in which the relocation of convicts, prisoners, and criminal tribes underpinned imperial attempts at political dominance and economic development. The article focuses on the penal transportation of Eurasian convicts, the employment of free Eurasians and Anglo-Indians as convict overseers and administrators, the migration of “volunteer” Indian prisoners from the mainland, the free settlement of Anglo-Indians, and the forced resettlement of the Bhantu “criminal tribe”.It examines the issue from the periphery of British India, thus showing that class, race, and criminality combined to produce penal and social outcomes that were different from those of the imperial mainland. These were related to ideologies of imperial governmentality, including social discipline and penal practice, and the exigencies of political economy. INTRODUCTION Between 1858 and 1939, the British government of India transported around 83,000 Indian and Burmese convicts to the penal colony of the Andamans, an island archipelago situated in the Bay of Bengal (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Srjis/Bimonthly/Dr. Sushim Kumar Biswas (5046-5055)
    SRJIS/BIMONTHLY/DR. SUSHIM KUMAR BISWAS (5046-5055) SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF MIGRANT MUSLIM WORKERS IN ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS Sushim Kumar Biswas, Ph. D. HOD, Department of Economics, Andaman College (ANCOL), Port Blair Abstract Socio-economic status (SES) is a multidimensional term. Today SES is deemed to be a hyper - dimensional latent variable that is difficult to elicit. Socioeconomic status is a latent variable in the sense that, like mood or well -being, it cannot be directly measured (Oakes & Rossi, 2003) and it is, some-what, associated with normative science. Finally, it converges to the notion that the definition of SES revolves around the issue of quantifying social inequality. However, it poses a serious problem for the researcher to measure the socio-economic status of migrant workers for short duration during the course of the year. Even in the absence of a coherent national policy on internal migration, millions of Indians are migrating from one destination to another with different durations (Chandrasekhar, 2017). The Andaman & Nicobar Islands(ANI) is no exception and a large number of in-migration is taking place throughout the year. Towards this direction, an attempt has been made to examine the socio-economic profile of migrant Muslim workers who have come to these Islands from West Bengal and Bihar in search of earning their livelihood. An intensive study has been conducted to assess their socio-economic well-being, literacy, income, health hazards, sanitation & medical facilities, family size, indebtedness, acculturation, social status, etc. This study reveals that their socio-economic profile in these Islands are downtrodden, nevertheless they are in a better state than their home town.
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 05-08-2021 - (Online Prelims Test)
    Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 05-08-2021 - (Online Prelims Test) 1) Which of the following statements regarding the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021, is incorrect? a. The Chairperson of the Commission, established through this bill, will have a tenure of 5 years or till the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier b. The Bill dissolves the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in the NCR in 1998 c. In case of conflicts, directions of the Commission, established through this bill, will prevail over the orders of the respective state governments, and the CPCB d. The Commission may collect an environmental compensation from farmers causing pollution by stubble burning Answer : a The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 The Bill provides for the constitution of a Commission for better co-ordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas. Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR, where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR. The Bill also dissolves the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in the NCR in 1998. The Chairperson and members of the Commission will have a tenure of three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier. The central government will constitute a selection committee to recommend appointments of members of the Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • North Andaman (Diglipur) Earthquake of 14 September 2002
    Reconnaissance Report North Andaman (Diglipur) Earthquake of 14 September 2002 ATR Smith Island Ross Island Aerial Bay Jetty Diglipur Shibpur ATR Kalipur Keralapuran Kishorinagar Saddle Peak Nabagram Kalighat North Andaman Ramnagar Island Stewart ATR Island Sound Island Mayabunder Jetty Middle Austin Creek ATR Andaman Island Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208016 Field Study Sponsored by: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi Printing of Report Supported by: United Nations Development Programme, New Delhi, India Dissemination of Report by: National Information Center of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Kanpur, India Copies of the report may be requested from: National Information Center for Earthquake Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208016 www.nicee.org Email: [email protected] Fax: (0512) 259 7866 Cover design by: Jnananjan Panda R ECONNAISSANCE R EPORT NORTH ANDAMAN (DIGLIPUR) EARTHQUAKE OF 14 SEPTEMBER 2002 by Durgesh C. Rai C. V. R. Murty Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208 016 Sponsored by Department of Science & Technology Government of India, New Delhi April 2003 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are sincerely thankful to all individuals who assisted our reconnaissance survey tour and provided relevant information. It is rather difficult to name all, but a few notables are: Dr. R. Padmanabhan and Mr. V. Kandavelu of Andaman and Nicobar Administration; Mr. Narendra Kumar, Mr. S. Sundaramurthy, Mr. Bhagat Singh, Mr. D. Balaji, Mr. K. S. Subbaian, Mr. M. S. Ramamurthy, Mr. Jina Prakash, Mr. Sandeep Prasad and Mr. A. Anthony of Andaman Public Works Department; Mr. P. Radhakrishnan and Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. the Principal Chief Conservatorof Forests (ANI) Van Sadan, Haddo. Port Blair
    NO. LA. G-211579 OFFICE OF THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER Tte USHI/LITTLE ANDAMAN Hut Bay dated the 26 September, 2020. To The Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Van Sadan, Haddo, Port Blair. 0.3693 Kms of deemed forest for Sub: Diversion of 70. 9037 Sq. kms of Forest area and Sq. sustainable development of Little Andaman Island -submission of revised Part-Il- reg: dated 11/09/2020. Ref: PCCF (CRZ&FC) letter No. PCCF FCA/326/Vol-I1/198 Sir, for diversion of Kindly find enclosed herewith the revised Part-lI along with Annexures 7127.3 Ha. of Forest land (70. 9037 Sq. kms of Forest area and 0.3693 Sq. Kms of deemed forest) in favour of for sustainable deveiopment of Little Andaman Island envisaged by the NITI Ayog ANIIDCO. Submitted for further course of action please. Yours faithfully, Encl: As above (To4T,HTEH) (P.K. Paul. iFS) Divisional Forest Officer ffei 3isHTH /Little Andaman Copy to: 1. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (ANI) Van Sadan, Haddo. Port Blair for favour of information. 2. The Chief Principal Conservator of Forests Van Sadan. Haddo. Port Blair (CZ&FC). for information and necessary action. 2 u PART-I State Serial Number of the proposal: 7. Location of the project/scheme . Union Territory Andaman & Nicobar Islands District South Andaman District 111 Forest Division Little Andaman Forest Division IV. Area of forest land proposed for 7127.3 Ha. of forest land. Out of the given Diversion (in ha.) proposed forest land, an area of 773.4 Ha. of notified forest has been reserved for PVTG (Particularly vulnerable tribal group - Onge) under ANIKPAT) regulation 1956.
    [Show full text]
  • Civil Supplies Public Distribution Public Distribution Supplies & & Consumer System in the UT of a & N System in the UT Consumer Affairs, Port Islands
    Section 4(1)b(i): Particulars of the organization, functions and duties. Clause Name of the Address Functions Duties Organization 1. Department Directorate of a. Implementation of Implementation of of Civil Civil Supplies Public Distribution Public Distribution Supplies & & Consumer System in the UT of A & N System in the UT Consumer Affairs, Port Islands. of A & N Islands. Affairs Blair. b. Monitoring and distribution of distribution of LPG and kerosene oil. c. Providing Family Identity Card (Ration Card) related services. e. Allotment of Fair Price Shops. f. Monitoring and publishing the prices of essential commodities and Market intervention Operations for controlling the open market prices if necessary. g. Protection of interest of Consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 through State Consumer Redressal Forum and District Forum. h. Implementation of Packaged commodities Rules, Enforcement of W & M Act, Stamping, Verification and calibration of W & M Instruments. Section 4(1)(b)(ii): Powers and Duties of Officers and Employees The details of the powers and duties of officers and employees of the authority by designation are as follows:- Sl.No Name of the Designation Duties Allotted Powers Officer/employees 1. Shri Devinder Singh Secretary-Cum- Overall supervision Secretary Secretary-Cum- Director(CS&CA) & HOD of the Department of Director (CS&CA) CS&CA 2. Shri Dhirendra Deputy Provide Assistance to Secretary Kumar Director(CS&CA) cum Director (CS&CA). Deputy Director Head of Office (CS&CA) Issuance of Ration Cards/Supervision of PDS Incharge of Enforcement Cell, Administration Branch/Vigilance Branch , Implementation of RTI Act, 2005 Public Information Officer of (CS&CA) 3 Shri V.R.
    [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]
  • 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]
  • Echinodermata Associated with Coral Reefs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    Rec. zoo!. Surv. India: 100 (Part 3-4) : 21-60, 2002 ECHINODERMATA ASSOCIATED WITH CORAL REEFS OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS D. R. K. SASTRY Zoological Survey of India, A & N Regional Station, Port Blair - 744 102 INTRODUCTION Coral reefs are an important ecosystem of the coastal environment. The reef ecosystem IS highly productive and provides substratum, shelter, food etc. to a variety of biota. Consequently a number of faunal and floral elements are attracted towards the reef ecosystem and are closely associated with each other to form a community. Thus the reefs are also rich in biodiversity. Among the coral reef associates echinoderms are a conspicuous element on account of their size, abundance and effect on the reef ecosystem including the corals. In spite of their importance in the coral reef ecosystem and its conservation, very few studies were made on the echinoderm associates of the coral reefs. Though there were some studies elsewhere, the information on reef­ associated echinoderms of Indian coast is meager and scattered (see Anon, 1995). Hence an attempt is made here to collate the scattered accounts and unpublished information available with Zoological Survey of India. Since the information is from several originals and quoted references and many are to be cited often, these are avoided in the text and a comprehensive bibliography is appended which served as source material and also provides additional references of details and further information. ECHINODERMS OF CORAL REEFS More than 200 species of echinoderms occur in the reef ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These belong to five extant classes with 30 to 60 species of each class.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Andaman and Nicobar
    II. SOP REGARDING COVID-19 TESTING FOR TOURISTS COMING TO ANDAMAN ISLANDS On arrival at Port Blatr 1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have beern taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021). 2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatorily Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotels rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall be remain in institutional quarantine in hotels notilied by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case to case basis. Other guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for airport (available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in and SOP) issued by Airport Manager, VSI also need to followed. 3. Tourists may also have to urndergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration. Incase tourist tests Positive for COVID-19 during stay 4.
    [Show full text]
  • WIDOW COMBINED LIST.Xlsx
    WIDOW PENSION ANNUAL INCOME WHETHER EMPLOYED WHETHER RE- SL. NO. NAME OF THE BENEFICIARIES W/o AGE ADDRESS NAME OF GRAM PANCHAYAT LESS THAN RS OR NOT MARRIED OR NOT 48000 /- 1 SUBALA DUTTA GOPAL CH. DUTTA 62 DIGLIPUR R K GRAM UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 2 SUBARNA DAS DHIREN DAS 86 DIGLIPUR R K GRAM UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 3 SUCHILA RAJBANGSHI LAXMAN 76 DIGLIPUR LAXMIPUR UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 4 SUNILA BISWAS SUDHIR KUMAR BISWAS 83 DIGLIPUR R K GRAM UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 5 SWARNA LATA ROY JADAB ROY 81 DIGLIPUR SUBASH GRAM UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 6 SEFALI BALA SANKAR BALA 40 DIGLIPUR SHIBPUR UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 7 AMILIBALA SWARNAKAR AJITH KUMAR SWARNAKAR 50 DIGLIPUR KHUDIRAMPUR UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 8 LALITA GAIN MANGAL GAIN 51 SHOAL BAY SHOAL BAY UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 9 MARRY TETE MARSHAL KULLU 72 SUNDERGARH KHARA NALLAH UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 10 JASINTA EKKA NIRBRITUS TIRKEY 57 HUTBAY CEYLON BASTI UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 11 SABITA MONDAL PRAKASH MONDAL 55 HUT BAY RAM KRISHNAPUR UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 12 ARATI BALA DAS KUNJESWAR DAS 51 DIGLIPUR KHUDIRAMPUR UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 13 LAKSHMI OYYAPPAN 45 CAMPBELL BAY JOGINDER NAGAR C/BAY UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 14 RAJESHWARI. M MUTHURAMALINGA 51 CAMPBELL BAY KAMAL BASTI UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 15 YELAMMA BAIRAGI 57 CAMPBELL BAY FISHERMAN COLONY UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 16 ACHAMMA. B SIMADARI. B 77 BAMBOOFLAT NAYA BASTI UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 17 EMAWATHY. M VENKATA SWAMY. 51 BAMBOOFLAT MEDICAL PAHAD UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 18 TAMIL SELVI VIJAY KUMAR 43 BAMBOOFLAT WRIGHT MYO UNEMPLOYED YES NOT REMARRIED 19 SAKEENA.
    [Show full text]