COMMENT
Islands of hope
RAM KAPSE
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Resilience has helped the splendid Andaman and Nicobar islands to recover from the trauma
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When the earthquake and the tsunami of December 26, 2004, struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it was clear after the wide-scale destruction that plans for the future development of the islands must be/had to be redrawn and priorities re-scheduled. Though the images from the islands were predominantly those of enormous destruction, the most popular beaches and tourism infrastructure were largely unaffected.
A sign of hope?
Let's review what this island paradise has to offer.
A destination, many choices
What a visitor sees as his plane begins its final descent towards the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a vision of enchanting beauty — brilliant green islands fringed by coral reefs, sticking out of the vast blue water of the Bay of Bengal. The modern airport receives at least three planeloads of passengers Conspicuously absent is the clutter one can see on the mainland. There are the visible indicators of growing prosperity and modernity ... and the special cruises to Barren Island, the "only active volcano of India".
Yes, Port Blair, the sleepy capital of the former penal colony of India, is fast emerging as a bustling tourist destination.
And then there are the sights and sounds: volcano and coral viewing, the son et lumière at the Cellular Jail National Memorial and even the the luxuriant tropical forests, glorious sunsets, scuba diving, snorkelling and game fishing.
The islands are also home to a variety of rare plant and animal species — the Nicobari Macaque, the Saltwater Crocodile, the Imperial Pigeon, the Narcondum Hornbill, the Megapod, the Dugong, and orchids. Forests cover over 86 per cent of the Islands. Further, a Supreme Court order protects the forests against any form of degradation.
But the islands are not just a tourist paradise. They are symbols of the country's state of defence preparedness, A unified command keeps watch over the vast coastline and guards the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.
An anthropologist's delight
For anthropologists, the islands are the only place in the world where Stone Age tribes are still be found in their native habitat: the Sentinelese, who still live in total isolation on North Sentinel Island, even shooting an occasional arrow at low flying aircraft; the Jarawas who go about their hunting-gathering way of life in the Jarawa reserve; the 50-member strong Great Andamanese, once the most numerous, and who lead comfortable lives on Strait Island; the Onges who fish and hunt in their tribal reserve on Little Andaman; the Shompens of Great Nicobar who are also a "primitive" tribe, but more akin to the mongoloid tribes of Indonesia, and the Nicobaris, who are well educated and compete in national and international for a for medals in water sports, cycling and football.
In terms of literacy too, the islands rank eighth in the country.
In the area of primary health care too, the islands rank first among the union territories. Primary health centres can be found even in sparsely populated islands. Almost all medical facilities are free. And, fisheries, high value agriculture, horticulture, spices and medicinal plants have been identified as thrust areas.
Indeed, a low level of pollution, a languid pace of life and reasonable prosperity make the Islands an ideal place to get away from the madding crowds. (The Island Tourism Festival, a fortnight-long mega event will start on December 30, 2005.) An advertising campaign has been launched in the print, television and on the internet. Established hospitality chains are evincing interest in investing in the islands.With all round buoyancy in the sector, it can be hoped that the island chain willproject itself as a major tourism player in the days to come.
But let's go back to the past year.
The negrito tribes on the Andaman group, surprisingly, had a premonition of a catastrophe and moved to higher ground. Those most affected were the coastal dwelling Nicobaris who were taken by surprise.
Bouncing back
However, in spite of the magnitude of the disaster, residents have shown remarkable resilience in recovering from the trauma. Before the onset of the monsoon, those rendered homeless have been accommodated in intermediate shelters. Rehabilitation efforts are on in full swing. Non-government organisations are also engaged in reconstruction work.
The devastation wrought by the tsunami also brought in its wake a wave of sympathy. From the President to the common man, everyone helped. Liberal contributions to the "Lieutenant Governor's Relief Fund" helped speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts. Some NGOs intend to stay for five years to rebuild the infrastructure. An example is the building of a small hospital on a remote island. Livelihood restoration is another project. The media played a positive role and supported the Administration's efforts. In a show of solidarity, officials, people's representatives, NGOs, the media and the common man worked as a well-knit team. There wasn't a single day of panic or confusion.
A year after the tsunami, there is renewed hope in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a bright and prosperous future. Nature may strike, but life gets back on track.
(The author is the Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.)
TSUNAMI A YEAR AFTER
