Andaman & Nicobar’s Beauty vs. Progress – Can They Coexist?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with their unspoiled beaches and green forests, are confronted with very high development pressures. Tourism and infrastructure ventures, including the Great Nicobar Island Project, are altering the topography, posing serious questions about affecting indigenous people and natural resources. The islands are also being militarized with enhanced military infrastructure, raising the strategic value of the islands. Efforts to develop eco-tourism notwithstanding, sustaining the fine balance between conservation and development continues to be a challenge.

Efforts are on to make sustainable growth a reality, but the fate of these islands is at stake. The Indian government is trying to frame policies that preserve the environment but permit economic development. But the speed of change threatens the special biodiversity and cultural heritage of these islands. As development goes on, it is important to preserve the natural splendor and cultural purity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Source: Mongabay-India, Indian Express