Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Five months after the infamous Jarawa Video incident featuring scantily clad Jarawa tribal women allegedly dancing for tourists in return for food and money, the Central Government finally acted on the matter by approving the proposed amendments in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.

The historic tsunami of 2004 in the northern Indian Ocean severely affected the eastern coastal areas of peninsular India and Andaman-Nicobar Islands.

In the background of recent Tsunami tragedy that has struck Japan,concern has been raised in India on the safety of critical infrastructure projects located in the coastal areas, for instance, power plants, oil storage depots, refineries etc. More such projects are likely to come up in the coastal locations in the years to come.

Hazard Line Mapping
In this connection, it may be recalled that a very important component of the Rs.1200 crore project taken up by the MoEF for implementation involves identification, delineation and demarcation of the hazard line along the 5400 kms of the main coastline of India.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 1991 has been replaced recently in January 2011 by the latest CRZ notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

This approach paper by the CGWB on water quality issues in islands  (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) includes a detailed and comprehensive account of the basic information pertaining to each group of islands separately such as administrative set-up, population, climate and also the technical aspects like geomorphology, geological and hydrogeological conditions.

Location: Port Blair and Baratang on Andaman & Nicobar Islands, on field presence in Baratang at least 20 days

Duration of assignment: 30 months, starting not later than 1st December 2009

Full Job description available under: http://216.119.85.221/artman2/publish/indian-jobs/article_17239.shtml

Deadline for applications: 6th of November 2009

An overview of the water-related aspects of the islands from CGWB Eastern Region

These "before-after" satellite map images from the UNOSAT website depict the impact of the 2004 Tsunami on the Nicobar Islands.

The presentation provides several water management measures including rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, black water treatment and use and eco-sanitation in  Andaman and Nicobar islands. It also provides recommendations for modification in agricultural practices and other livelihoods that can be taken up with the given water availability.