Serendipity : Musings of an Islander

Tourism in A ndamans is a story of 4 guys : EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY I had the unique opportunity to participate in a debate “ I s T ourism G ood for A ndamans” conducted by SACON as part of its 2010 DNA club festival at P ort B lair. 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 J arawas. 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...

Baratang is emerging as one of the most popular tourist spot in A&N islands. The journey through thick rainforest and thereafter to limestone caves in speed rafts amid mangroves is indeed a mesmerizing trip, but not easy because the intervening Middle strait creek is connected (or disconnected!) by ferry boats. Daily to and fro traffic across the 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 and rather risky since boats plying in the route is not certified to carry such huge number of commuters. The point to ponder, is it really necessary to ferry tourists to Nilambur jetty or they could be taken to limestone caves directly from Middle strait jetty? For a Baratang bound tourist, the ordeal starts slightly after midnight, because they need to board the vehicle scheduled to start at 0330 am in th...