Explained: Why 8 Lakh Trees Will Be Cleared In Andaman And Nicobar Islands

The mega strategic project in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has got approval from the committee for the developmental works but it has also raised some environmental concerns. More than 8 lakh trees in the rainforests will be cleared for the project including the mangrove (12 to 20 hectares) and coral cover.

AFP/Representational Image

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar islands also known as ¡®Bay Islands¡¯, are situated in the Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar.

With a total 8249 sq km geographical area, the islands have a typical tropical ecosystem that includes an endless stretch of tropical rainforests bordered by mangrove swamps.

The population of the islands is about 4 lakh, which includes six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs).

The Islands are global hotspots for biological diversity as they are home to more than 10% of the country¡¯s fauna species and more than 500 species of scleractinian corals (hard or stony corals), which are also protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Some of these include the leatherback sea turtles, Nicobar megapode, Nicobar Macaque and the saltwater crocodiles.

What is this mega project about?

Andaman & Nicobar islands provide India with a commanding geostrategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and access to South and Southeast Asia. The project is designed to use all the strategic positions beneficial to the country.

AFP/Representational Image

To develop a military-civil, dual-use airport, an international container trans-shipment terminal, a power plant based on gas, diesel, and solar energy, and an elaborate township, a mega strategic project was proposed to the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union environment ministry.

A letter sent to the environment minister by the Union home ministry reveals that the proposed airport in the Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar area would be under the operational control of the Indian Navy in a joint military-civil manner that facilitates dual use. It would function for civil people and military uses as well.

Measures to deal with this loss

Over 1,761 people are estimated to be affected by the project including the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal communities. The Committee has directed to adopt mechanisms to ensure the tribes are not exposed to health and other risks, there has been widespread scepticism about the welfare of the communities.

AFP/Representational Image

The Committee has also prescribed measures to deal with the environmental impact and potential ways to reduce it.

Three independent committees will be introduced to see the matters related to pollution, biodiversity and welfare issues related to the indigenous tribes.

Is a 10-year mitigation plan enough?

Along with scientific recommendations, the expert bodies have suggested a 10-year roadmap for the systematic implementation of the mitigation measures.

It is stated in the project site would not directly cause any harm to the flora and fauna of the islands. It is indicative that many of the active turtle nests would be permanently destroyed, including 30 out of the 51 active nests of the indigenous Nicobar megapode. The project would also translocate the coral covers across ten hectares with about 16,150 coral colonies.

AFP/Representational Image

The Administrative for the Environment and Forests Protection in Andaman and Nicobar will be preparing a mangrove conservation and management plan including the wildlife corridors connecting the forest and seashore for the safe movement of wildlife.

It is also directed to cut trees in a systematic manner to provide protection to species nesting and living within the trees.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.