Andaman & Nicobar Islands News
2003
Jarawa girl seriously hurt on "closed" Andaman Trunk Road
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
29 Dec 2003
A Jarawa girl, Chahowa, 8 years of age, was admitted to government Hospital "G. B. Pant " at Port Blair on 27th December with serious head injuries., the Director of Health Services, Mrs. Namita Ali, informed the public. She refused any additional information on the case.
The accident occurred on the Andaman Trunk Road. The girl was hit by a passing tourist van while she was trying to get food from another tourist van. "It looks like a hit and run case" a reliable source said. Eevery day members of the Jarawa tribe come to the Andaman Trunk Road to beg for food.
The A and N Administration is trying to cover up the incident in fear of a world-wide outcry. The Directorate of Heath Service is using every trick to keep journalists away from the girl. The Andaman Trunk Road was to be closed on orders from the Supreme Court (May 2002) but is in fact still open because of the Administration's continuing insolent disregard of the judgment.
The 2003 monsoon rainfall: deficient in the Andamans but above average in mainland India
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
19th September 2003
The best monsoon in several years has finally begun to retreat in mid-September. It withdrew from western Rajasthan and Punjab on 17th September. While the retreat was almost two weeks behind schedule for west Rajasthan, it was only a few days behind for Punjab.
"Though complete withdrawal of the south-west monsoon normally takes more than one-and-a-half months, its retreat from a large region in one go is not unusual," a meteorologist pointed out. Of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions, only three north-interior Karnataka, Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have received deficient rainfall.
The cumulative rainfall in the country to 17th September 2003 is 4 per cent above the long-period average for the period. The distribution of rainfall, over both time and space, has been excellent, facilitating above-normal area coverage for most crops and ensuring good crop stand.
The good precipitation has prompted farmers to use fertilisers rather liberally this season. The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) has estimated that urea sales rose 67 per cent in July and 44 per cent in the first fortnight of August over the same period of 2002. Similarly, sales of phosphatic fertiliser di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) climbed 10 per cent in July and over two-folds in the first half of August. The sale of potassic fertiliser muriate of potash (MOP) rose 6.7 per cent in July, but dropped 8 per cent in the subsequent fortnight.
The water level in reservoirs, which had dropped to below 65 per cent of the last 10 years' average last year, has risen to above 85 per cent this year. The recharge is continuing at over 5 per cent every week.
Thanks to these favourable factors, farm output is set to scale a new high this year. Using regression models for advance estimation of crop output, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has estimated that the production of foodgrain will exceed 215 million tonnes in 2003-04, which is 3 million tonnes higher than the previous peak of 212 million tonnes in 2001-02. Last year, the output was just 182.5 million tonnes due to widespread drought.
Volume of logging 1980-2002
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
13th August 2003
In most of India, protecting forests is a major problem, but in Andaman management of its vast forest area is also an acute problem. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are blessed with one of the densest evergreen forests of the world. Official records say that around 92% of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are covered with forest.
(satellite surveillance is said to show that this figure is now very much smaller due to illegal logging - "official records" produced by the Andaman adiministration need to be taken with a large pinch of salt - George Weber)
Beside having unique forest resources, the scattered islands in the Bay of Bengal have one thing in common with the Mainland - that is, its forest department worked in isolation for a long period even after independence, with its primary objective being the commercial timber exploitation. The interests of the people living in the forests was neither reflected under the so-called scientific Forest Management nor the indigenous populations' knowledge in forest management recognized. Their voices were stifled by commercial and industrial motives.
In this process of ' custodial management' , over the years, the forest resources of the country were degraded and depleted. At the same time, the resource-dependent aborigines were further marginalized without getting sufficient firewood, food, small timber and other forest produce to meet their basic needs.
Managing the Andaman and Nicobar forests has been a big headache for the local Administration from the beginning. Marginalizing the forest people igave rise to the serious problems of poaching, illegal timber smuggling, etc. As Mr. S.S. Choudhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, feels, the growing rise in forest crime demands alternative way sof forest protection, such as the newly-proposed "Joint Forest Management" (JFM) system. Mr. Choudhury informed that JFM has yielded very good results in many parts of the country, le.g. in Arabari of Midnapore District, West Bengal, and that thus the JFM may prove applicable for the Andamans. Considering the importance of the JFM, the Forest Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has organized a four-day workshop in the Andamans. This is designed not only to help everyone to understand the JFM, but also will bring a new awareness of forestry problems to everyone.
Prof. Asok Nath Basu, the Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University and the Chairman of Regional Centre of National afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata at Port Blair told the Mdeia that "it will be wrong to say in one sentence that JFM is not very effective elsewhere in India, as by March 1, 2002, over 18 percent of the country's forestlands have been brought under JFM. In absolute term, the area under JFM is now around 14 million hectares and over 63,000 JFM groups are involved and as many as 27 states have accepted in principle the JFM concept in some form or other. Much of the degraded forests has been revived and vegetative cover has come back resulting in overall improvement in soil moisture condition and also ground water. Environmental condition has improved with increase of biomass production. In these islands as there are already so much forest cover is present this may prove fruitful. Presently the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is thinking to adopt Joint Forest Management very seriously. "
NGOs were not very keen on the idea of JFM. The General Secretary of HELP (Healthy Environment and Less Pollution Organization) feels that before imposing the scheme, people views of villagers people should be sought, as they will play a major role in JFM. They should also be told how much they can get from the forest by protecting it. HELP, the NGO Live and other NGOs and environmentalist groups in the Andamans doubt the success of the JFM in the islands. They say that the JFM can become a success only once the people living in it have a bond with the forest and an interest in protecting it. In Andaman except tribal, no one considered the forest as its own. People like encroachers and Settlers most of the time exploit for forest for their economic up-liftment.
Presently in the Andaman there are no traditional institutions to work jointly with the Forest Department. "NGOs are most welcome in JFM and if they want to adopt some areas or villages, that will be fine", said Mr. Choudhury. JFM as planned during the workshop will be run in the same away as it is in rest of the India. In every area an expert committee will be formed, taking members from each family into the committee in every area, to look after the forest. In turn, they will be allowed to use forest produce.
The Andaman and Nicobar Forest department has decided to adopt the Joint Forest Management.
Volume of timber extraction in the Andaman Islands (the official figures):
Year 1980-81 - 1,65,726 cubic meters
Year 1981-82 - 1,62,241 cubic meters
Year 1982-83 - 1,47,308 cubic meters
Year 1983-84 - 1,47,309 cubic meters
Year 1984-85 - 1,32,579 cubic meters
Year 1985-86 - 1,45,305 cubic meters
Year 1986-87 - 1,31,888 cubic meters
Year 1987-88 - 1,15,801 cubic meters
Year 1988-89 - 1,23,678 cubic meters
Year 1989-90 - 1,17,746 cubic meters
Year 1990-91 - 1,03,660 cubic meters
Year 1991-92 - 1,05,319 cubic meters
Year 1992-93 - 1,25,670 cubic meters
Year 1993-94 - 1,30,136 cubic meters
Year 1994-95 - 1,35,523 cubic meters
Year 1995-96 - 1,26,579 cubic meters
Year 1996-97 - 1,07,443 cubic meters
Year 1997-98 - 77,097 cubic meters
Year 1998-99 - 62,623 cubic meters
Year 1999-2000 - 47,617 cubic meters
Year 2000-01 - 40,053 cubic meters
Year 2001-02 - Nil
Nicobar Tribal Council members Meet Prime Minister
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
10 Aug 2003
A delegation of Tribal Council Members from the Nicobar islands called on the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi recently and submitted a list of demands, impressing on him the need for further development in education, road, water, power, shipping services etc. The Prime Minister listened to the demands and assured speedy redress of their grievances. Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray ,was present at the meeting.
Addressing a press conference on their return from Delhi, the Tribal Council Members gave a detailed account of their demands. They had mentioned a shortage of teachers particularly in Science and Mathematics in the tribal school system and also pointed out the shortage of treated timber for the tribal population leading to delay in the construction of new housing.
A programme to provide drinking water has also been urged. A reputable consultant should be employed to find more sources of water sources with the help of Tribal captains. Other demands made included two cargo boats one each at Kamota and Campbell Bay, the stationing of 4 passenger boats (2 each at Campbell Bay and Kamorta Islands for inter-island transportation in the Nicobar island district) and the construction of safe landing jetties at Teressa, Munack, Pilomilo and Chowra islands.
The Tribal Council Members who visited New Delhi included S/Shri Mathew Chrispin and Paul Joora Chairman Tribal Council, Teressa and Kondul, Peter Zerome, V.C. Captain Teressa, P. Elaizha Captain of Tapong, John James District President.
Negrito Great Andamanese baby born
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
28 May 2003
A healthy male baby weighing 2 kgs is born to the Great Andamanese Couple named Mrs. Tons and Mr. Elpe on 22nd May at G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair to make their population at 46, informed the Deputy Director of Andaman Tribal Health Dr. Tulsidasan.
The Great Andamanese are once the largest in population among the various tribes inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Their estimated population in 1789 was 10,000. By 1901, their number had decreased to 625 and by 1969 their number had decreased to 19 only. According to the Census of 1971, only 24 of them survived, but by 1999 their number has increased to 41 and presently it is 46.
The Administration is doing its best to protect and preserve these tribes. These tribals have been rehabilitated in a small island named Strait Island. The Great Andamanese are foragers. Today, they eat rice, dal chapati and other modern food articles. They can cook food with the ingredients of spices. At times, they still go in for hunting and gathering, a source added.
Dr. Tulsidasan added that both mother and child are doing well.
Unique animals on volcanic island near Great Andaman face problems
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
10 May 2003
Here is a good news for all nature and animal lovers, 'Pinku' is fine and doing well in the only volcanic island of India, Barren. 'Pinku' is a concocted name of unique kind of goat found in the volcanic island Barren, situated in Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. 'Pinku' has survived the volcano's eruptions by migrating to the unaffected side of the island, feeding on its sparse foliage and surviving, only on seawater. Sea water??!! Yes, seawater. 'Pinku' is feral and wild goat which with few other have been known to withstand the vagaries of such a harsh environment.
An eminent group of nine internationally renowned adventure, environment and travel specialists, journalists and photographers who have recently completed an unusual two-week journey covering twelve islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago informed this to the media personnel at Port Blair.
Many Indian scientists are doing various experiments on these feral goats to find the answer to the livestock problems of drought-affected regions, where fresh water is in short supply. Secondly, research work on its kidney, which has adapted to the seawater, could yield rich results, many believe as drinking saline water can kill a human being within few days.
Mr. Mandip Singh Soin, FRGS, Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, who was also a part of the international expedition team representing said, "Yes, we have seen quite a few of them, they are in good health and are living on the unaffected side of the barren islands."
But here is a bad news too for those who have sympathy with these unique animals according to members of the expedition team, "there are some problems with that island's those foliages on which the feral goats survive. The foliages due to some unknown reasons are not growing properly which could create problems for these unique creatures.
Years back some time around 1999 Dr. S. P. S. Ahlawat, Ex-Director of the Central Agricultural Research Institute in Port Blair brought a pair of Feral Goats and did various experiment on them. Presently these experiments are being carried on by Dr. Rai and Dr. Senani at CARI, Port Blair.
Mr. R. B Rai, Director, CARI informed UNI that these feral goats from Barren Island were captured for scientific studies and also for conservation of precious endangered germplasm. The goats were kept in farm conditions and their domestication was undertaken after thorough consideration about their diet, and behaviour. The specific fodder tree on which the feral goat fed in their natural environment were identified and during first few days of the captivity, these tree species were exclusively selected for feeding them, deliberately and consciously introducing some fodder trees with similar texture, nutritive make up etc. Gradually the feral goats became very well adapted to the farm conditions. On an average the feral goat in farm conditions preferred 1:4 fresh seawater for drinking. Performance of feral goats was found significantly better in farm conditions as compared to Barren Island with respect to feed intake, growth and health. Slowly these goats were also adapted to feeding on concrete feeds. Meat quality, prolificacy were similar to the Black Bengal goat, but milk production was very poor.
Unique indeed. Whatever may be the results of all studies and experiments the fact which everyone felt that there is an urgent need for immediate research which must be carried out so that for years in future they survive properly and say, Maa !
Jarawas attack bus passenger, snatch money
Information received from S.K. ROY, journalist
1 May 2003
Bus passengers traveling from Andaman Trunk Road, which pass through Jarawa Tribal reserve found themselves in quandary when a group of three Jarawa boys snatched money from one of the passengers yesterday.
The Jarawa are one of the six tribe groups living in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands. The Jarawa Government of India had initially set aside an area for the Jarawa but the size of this reserve gradually reduced as more of their land came under construction for roads and settling migrants from the mainland.
The Andaman Trunk Road was constructed right from the middle of the Jarawa Reserve. Yesterday when a private bus carrying 44 passengers was crossing the Jarawa Reserve this incident occurred. Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, informed that there was a policeman deputed in the bus but he could not do much to help the attacked passenger.
Many angry passengers traveling in the bus informed that if a police man deputed in bus or a convoy of bus during the journey is not able to provide security then it is not sure that if he could do anything if the tribes come down armed and attack the passengers. People working for Jarawa Tribes believe that this incident is not so usual "Many questions arise after this, the tribes have now understood the value of money.
They know that money is required to purchase things. No shops are opened in Jarawa Reserve for Jarawa. Then who buys them the materials they require. The police personnel? The regular bus staffs? Or the general public living near the Jarawa reserve?" the source continued " if the Jarawas attack the bus passengers for money or food stuffs, it means that the department meant for the tribal welfare does not provide the required facility to the tribes. Every year about 80 lakhs rupees is earmarked for Jarawa welfare programmes. It looks they are badly in need of help.
Some believe due to opening of ATR through Jarawa Reserve and due to daily contact with civilized world the Jarawas have started eating Paan and Tobacco. They have started smoking cigarettes. They have started drinking liquor.
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Last change 27 August 2006