Tourism in Andamans - An introspection

Tourism in Andamans is a story of 4 guys : EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY

I had the unique opportunity to participate in a debate “Is Tourism Good for Andamans” conducted by SACON as part of its 2010 DNA club festival at Port Blair. A number of students put forward their views “for” and “against” the topic. Those who spoke “against” caught my imagination since the proponent students blamed tourism squarely for a plethora of problems such as increased crime rates, population pressure, bringing diseases, water crisis, increased air fare/transportation costs, traffic jams, alcoholism, besides disturbing the aboriginal tribes specially Jarawas. Speakers also blamed tourism for its negative impact on islands cultural diversity and environment, hence opined tourism is not at all viable and better be stopped. This article is an introspection sparked by the averments made during the debate.

It is worth mentioning A&N Islands are a group of some 572 islands, islets and exposed rocks. Among the 38 inhabited islands, only few areas in the Andaman group are open for tourist related activities. Rest of the archipelago is untouched by humans – pristine. Which means, the problem if it really exists, is confined to those places/islands visited by tourists; Port Blair, Havelock, Baratang and Rangat. But the point to ponder is can we afford to say no to mainland tourists knowing very well islands are dependent on mainland for everything from Central assistance to Food, Clothing, Shelter material to Healthcare facilities. Are we not behaving selfish cracking the cruel joke; heaping blame on tourism ignoring its positive impact on the economy of our Islands.

In Island conditions where there is no industry barring a few SSI units, tourism is the best non-polluting livelihood option available to the islanders. Our islands are bestowed with beautiful seas, picturesque landscape, luxuriant forests, myriad flora/fauna, sun kissed beaches which we can showcase provided we make ourselves aware of the intricacies of our fragile ecosystem and its limitations beforehand. Such knowledge will enable us draw a line on what can be offered to tourists and built adequate infrastructure to support such tourism activities. Govt should play the role of a facilitator.

The issues raised by the students in the debate were not problems but consequences of mis-managed affairs of tourism in these islands. Those issues could be addressed with little change in the way tourism is conducted. For instance take the case of Baratang-Limestone Cave tourism. Daily to and fro traffic across Middle Strait Creek include approx 2500+ commuters, 22+ bus, 100+ four wheelers and 50+ goods vehicles on board vehicle ferry boats. A major chunk of this traffic (1200 tourists and 60-70 four wheelers) crossing the creek altogether is un-necessary. The ferry service operated by Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) is not certified to ferry such large number of tourists across the creek. It is interesting to note none of the boats plying in the route is certified to carry more than 99 seating passengers. Whereas in reality, the first ferry from Middle Strait carries approximately 500 passengers putting their life at risk. Un-necessary ferrying of such large number of tourists and their vehicles across the creek on the other hand hampers the movement of regular commuters.

The problem is rather superficial and could be solved if tourists are taken to limestone caves directly from Middle Straight Jetty itself leaving their vehicles at Middle Strait. On return they could be dropped at Nilambur Jetty to visit Mud Volcano. STS Baratang unit could provide bus service to Mud volcano. Some of the local educated unemployed youths could be motivated to operate taxi service to cater to the needs of tourist population. Such an arrangement will decongest the route. Precious fuel, time and ferry charges could be saved by tour operators. The revenue lost by Administration could be compensated by levying parking charges. Everybody will be able to commute freely without a risk on their life.

Another interesting aspect is the tour operators often drop tourists at the venue and turn their back. Tourists are never briefed about the intricacies of our island ecology, under such circumstances if some damage is done to the environment, who is to be blamed? Are we not equally responsible? This “drop and forget” trend has to be changed forthwith. Tour operators are the first to welcome and also the last to see off a tourist, hence it is the tour operator who could build or damage tourism in these islands. Tour operators therefore need to educate themselves of the etiquettes and intricacies of Island ecosystem. Unless they enrich themselves with necessary knowledge and skill set required to behave professionally tourism cannot flourish in the fragile islands.

I see tourism in Andamans is a story of 4 guys : EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY (originally written by Anon) : There was an important job to be done; EVERYBODY was sure that SOMEBODY would do it.  ANYBODY could have done it; But NOBODY did it.  SOMEBODY got angry about it; Because it was EVERYBODYS job.  EVERYBODY thought ANYBODY could do it. But no NOBODY realized that, EVERYBODY would not do it.  It ended that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have done.

We want to milk the cow; when it comes to manage the dung, we turn our back. This is unprofessional. If tourism is to thrive, there is no scope for complacency. Govt need to play proactive role by providing necessary infrastructure facilities for development of tourism. At the same time it should be sensitive towards meeting the genuine demands of the islanders as well. None of the tourism projects are going to flourish unless local population gets benefited. It can be a WIN WIN situation, provided every department put their act together and complement each other. We need to appreciate and accept that tourism is the driver of islands economy. Let’s not allow un-professionalism kill the goose laying golden eggs for us!

Taken from Original article published in Andaman Sheekha - Vol 03 No 277, dated 08/12/2010