Induced Commercial Growth and Deterioration of Little Andaman Island Environment – An Appraisal on Forest Policies

Abstract

The Little Andaman Island of the Andaman archipelago is clothed in some of the finest virgin tropical evergreen forests and is a home to a large number of rare, endangered, even undocumented species of flora and fauna. Its unique climate, topography and coastal alignment have given birth to a canopy laden rainforest which is the homeland of bio-diversity. This dense rainforest is also the homeland to one of the most primitive tribe of the world – the Onge. This resourceful island was sought after by the planners to make it economically more profitable. Of the total geographical area of 73,439 hectares nearly 95% of the area was notified as reserved forest which also included the tribal reserve area (50,323 hectares). Several attempts have been in process prior to independence and are continued till date. The British first set up the Forest Department here in 1883. The Andaman and Nicobar Forest Corporation has been set up during 1977. Loads of developmental policies in the name of timber harvesting, rehabilitation of mainlanders, plantation of exotic species, tourism, mining, and many more are undertaken ignoring the biotic equilibrium. Thus, the massive impact of these activities has been verified by the author through her field visits. Author through this paper have inferred upon a deterministic approach and have extended certain propositions such that this bio-diverse unit could be used as a laboratory for the future researchers.