Other
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 numbers of foreign and domestic 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 among 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 towards bringing different stakeholders together to address this issue, Dr Madhuri Ramesh and Tanmay Wagh from ANET/ Dakshin 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 numbers of foreign and domestic 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 among 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 towards bringing different stakeholders together to address this issue, Dr Madhuri Ramesh and Tanmay Wagh from ANET/ Dakshin 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.
Training for specific interest groups
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are increasingly being viewed as a prime tourist destination for both domestic as well as international tourists. This is reflected in the escalating numbers of visitors as well as the ongoing infrastructural transformations visible in the landscape. However, as is the case of many small island groups, these developments are associated with problematic ecological, social and cultural consequences. A variety of safeguards and capacity building needs to be put in place for tourism to be sustainable and responsible. As an environmental research and conservation organisation based in the islands, ANET has limited capacity to deal with these issues. However, given the impending transformations, we have attempted to contribute to training related to responsible tourism initiatives that local communities are interested in.
In the first such initiative, a team led by independent affiliated researchers and ANET staff including Krishna Anujan, Zoya Tyabji, Vardhan Patankar, Chetana Purushotaman, worked together with the Forest Department to organise a series of training programmes for community members interested in bird watching. This capacity-building exercise has been instrumental in the formation of the Andaman Avian Club. This unit now independently conducts bird counts, surveys and offers local guide services to visitors interested in ornithology.
Recently, a team from ANET led by Mahima Jaini worked closely with the Forest Department organised a training programme in coral reef ecology and marine conservation for tour operators working in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGNP). This was carried out in response to these community members requesting for training in responsible tourism for in-water activities. The programme also included a series of lectures and activities as well as printed resources designed to assist operators with identifying marine life and understanding key concepts in marine conservation and sustainable tourism.The training workshop was preceded by a survey of the community. Overall, the programme provided us with an opportunity to build an educational tool box of reef ecology and marine conservation-related activities and lectures, which can be extended to other marine tour operators, elsewhere in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are increasingly being viewed as a prime tourist destination for both domestic as well as international tourists. This is reflected in the escalating numbers of visitors as well as the ongoing infrastructural transformations visible in the landscape. However, as is the case of many small island groups, these developments are associated with problematic ecological, social and cultural consequences. A variety of safeguards and capacity building needs to be put in place for tourism to be sustainable and responsible. As an environmental research and conservation organisation based in the islands, ANET has limited capacity to deal with these issues. However, given the impending transformations, we have attempted to contribute to training related to responsible tourism initiatives that local communities are interested in.
In the first such initiative, a team led by independent affiliated researchers and ANET staff including Krishna Anujan, Zoya Tyabji, Vardhan Patankar, Chetana Purushotaman, worked together with the Forest Department to organise a series of training programmes for community members interested in bird watching. This capacity-building exercise has been instrumental in the formation of the Andaman Avian Club. This unit now independently conducts bird counts, surveys and offers local guide services to visitors interested in ornithology.
Recently, a team from ANET led by Mahima Jaini worked closely with the Forest Department organised a training programme in coral reef ecology and marine conservation for tour operators working in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGNP). This was carried out in response to these community members requesting for training in responsible tourism for in-water activities. The programme also included a series of lectures and activities as well as printed resources designed to assist operators with identifying marine life and understanding key concepts in marine conservation and sustainable tourism.The training workshop was preceded by a survey of the community. Overall, the programme provided us with an opportunity to build an educational tool box of reef ecology and marine conservation-related activities and lectures, which can be extended to other marine tour operators, elsewhere in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
