For conservation to be embraced and accepted, and for there to be lasting ecological change and social transformation, it is imperative to first understand the local and regional context. Efforts to protect the environment and wildlife necessitate sustained involvement of local communities and their awareness and interactions with perceived conservation threats and needs. Though local communities can get relegated to the fringes of knowledge-making processes and environmental policies, successful conservation interventions hinge on the active participation of these communities in knowledge generation, sustainable development, and the protection of common spaces and wildlife
At ANET our interventions are carried out keeping in mind the interconnectedness between social and ecological themes, as well as taking into consideration the enduring links between the past and present.
At ANET our interventions are carried out keeping in mind the interconnectedness between social and ecological themes, as well as taking into consideration the enduring links between the past and present.
Traditional & Sustainable Livelihoods
Andaman Karen Crafts (AKC)
ANET is working with the Karen community to develop a set of initiatives that would lead to self-sustaining livelihood opportunities while helping restore cultural connections and generate positive environmental outcomes. Our interest is in conceptualizing and developing initiatives that are suited to the community's own strengths and are in accordance with its existing worldviews and cultural norms. In 2015, the Andaman Karen Crafts Co-operative Society (AKC) and Women's Centre was formed as a registered society. With support from ANET, one of the key activities of AKC has been the building of a community centre in Webi which has been constructed with generous support from Seacology. This centre is expected to act as the starting point for a holistic programme to revitalise the community.
Ever since the beginning of ANET in 1970s, the multi-faceted nature of Karen knowledge and their openness to new challenges has led to there being a unique partnership between the field researchers and the Karen community. This relationship and motivation within the local community led to ANET facilitating the formation of the Andaman Karen Crafts cooperative society in late 2014 with the objectives of local economic empowerment while reviving Karen cultural heritage and conserving local eco-systems. These efforts are now sustained in partnership with Dakshin Foundation. Currently the team from Dakshin facilitating the work is Saw John Aung Thong, Shiba Desor, Dr. Naveen Namboothri and Dr. Meera Oommen,. They are supported by AKC members Naw Cecilia, Naw Namu, Naw Rosmi and Naw Sarah..
The approach is multi-faceted, simultaneously focusing on socio-cultural, economic and ecological dimensions of well-being. This implies a manifold strategy. To retain local craftsmanship while enabling generation of some revenue, skill-development and training programmes on tailoring, embroidery, handloom-weaving, bamboo-weaving and small-scale community markets have been run by experts from various organisations. At the same time, for conserving the Karen culture and cuisine, local history and folklore is being documented and also promoted through local story-telling sessions and a slow food restaurant focused on Karen cuisine is being constructed in the lower part of the AKC community centre. To revitalise links with land, a nursery has been set up with ongoing conversations on community forestry. All of this is happening alongside regular sessions on environment and ecology.
In terms of capacity-building and community-ownership of the process, much has been achieved in the past year, and it is hoped that this cross-thematic intervention will lay foundations for a long-term strengthening of the community’s bio-cultural connections.
Restoration in the Nicobar Islands
Funded by the Department of Science and Technology's 'SEED' program, Government of India, Dr. Manish Chandi leads a project on restoration and technological intervention in the southern Nicobar Islands. Facilitated by WWF India’s Sustainable Livelihoods Program, the project seeks to restore two species of native flora, Nypa fruiticans and Pandanus leram that were devastated during the tsunami of 2004. The indigenous Nicobarese of the region depended on these two natural resources for customary roofing of traditional houses (Nypa) and as a traditional source of nutrition and food (Pandanus).
The islanders in coordination with the Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar Islands are restoring these two species in their villages by regeneration. Simple household technologies to diversify utility and add economic value to coconut toddy, a local product, by processing it into organic coconut vinegar and coconut syrup are also being introduced. A simple hydraulic press to extract virgin coconut oil designed by the late Dr. Rauf Ali for the Nicobar Islanders is also being introduced to the islander community of the region.
Waste Management
Waste management on the islands: multi stakeholder coastal cleanup
The Andaman and Nicobar islands lie on the cusp of massive commercial development with the tourism industry considered the most lucrative income generating option. As the number of foreign and national tourists grows, so do the tourism allied businesses (resorts, restaurants, adventure sports, etc.). A major consequence of growing tourism is the rise in coastal litter. This is confounded by inadequate waste disposal mechanisms, lack of awareness within tourists and locals, and the logistic constraints in maintaining the vast expanse of the islands.
The growing problem of coastal litter has prompted various government offices, NGOs and other groups to carry out coastal cleanups in isolated parts of the islands. However, cumulative efforts regarding the issue seem to be lacking.
As a first step Dr Madhuri Ramesh and Tanmay Wagh engaged various stakeholders to co-ordinate a coastal cleanup to increase public awareness and support for marine conservation issues in the islands.
The team carried out the event at North Wandoor beach along with the Wandoor Gram Panchayat. Nearly 70 participants were part of the event representing various organisations. Prominent among those were; Forest Department (Wandoor, Lohabarrack and Manglutan ranges) , Fisheries Department, Wandoor Fishermen Union, ANI Police, Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), Youth Clubs (New Wandoor, Wandoor and Kranti), ASHA Foundation, etc,. The Panchayat had invited the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman as a chief guest for the event.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands lie on the cusp of massive commercial development with the tourism industry considered the most lucrative income generating option. As the number of foreign and national tourists grows, so do the tourism allied businesses (resorts, restaurants, adventure sports, etc.). A major consequence of growing tourism is the rise in coastal litter. This is confounded by inadequate waste disposal mechanisms, lack of awareness within tourists and locals, and the logistic constraints in maintaining the vast expanse of the islands.
The growing problem of coastal litter has prompted various government offices, NGOs and other groups to carry out coastal cleanups in isolated parts of the islands. However, cumulative efforts regarding the issue seem to be lacking.
As a first step Dr Madhuri Ramesh and Tanmay Wagh engaged various stakeholders to co-ordinate a coastal cleanup to increase public awareness and support for marine conservation issues in the islands.
The team carried out the event at North Wandoor beach along with the Wandoor Gram Panchayat. Nearly 70 participants were part of the event representing various organisations. Prominent among those were; Forest Department (Wandoor, Lohabarrack and Manglutan ranges) , Fisheries Department, Wandoor Fishermen Union, ANI Police, Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), Youth Clubs (New Wandoor, Wandoor and Kranti), ASHA Foundation, etc,. The Panchayat had invited the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman as a chief guest for the event.