Project Details
A proposal from the Indian Coast Guard to build a RADAR installation and a diesel power generation station on the island was recently placed before the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The plan includes new constructions, a wide 2-km road through virgin forest that will require considerable tree felling, additional human presence, and high potential for chronic and increased disturbance to this lushly forested island and its small hornbill population.
Collateral Damage
The existing police outpost has itself caused some loss of habitat. It is dependent on the single freshwater source available on the island, and any additional human presence and installations will only compound the problems for the island and its unique flora and fauna. The infrastructure construction that is planned will entail large numbers of labourers camping on the island for months or years. The island will become an open latrine, introducing all manner of pathogens into the environment. Vegetation will be cleared for labour camps and workers will undoubtedly cut firewood from the forest for their cooking needs. It is almost inevitable that many will also hunt anything that moves in and around the island to add protein and flavour to their daily meals. Who will monitor and prevent all this? Once the construction begins, it will be classified as a ‘defence project' and the island will become off limits to practically everyone else. This is exactly what happened when a missile testing base came up right next to the olive ridley mass nesting beach in Gahirmatha, Orissa, over a decade ago. Today, bright lights blaze throughout the year, causing light pollution, and domestic and feral dogs from the base invade the nesting beach and feast on turtle eggs. Once the RADAR and affiliated construction activities begin, Narcondam will suffer irreparable harm and degradation. It is also very likely that more and more buildings and facilities will be added in the future.
Site Inspection Report
It is undoubtedly with all this in mind that Dr. Asad R Rahmani, Director, Bombay Natural History Society, who made a site visit in February this year on behalf of the Standing Committee, has strongly recommended rejection of this proposal. This was unanimously supported by the other Independent Members of the NBWL at the last Standing Committee meeting held on 13 June 2012.
Why We Should Oppose This Project
Every agency desires to show progress by doing something new, and the Coast Guard is probably no exception. But so far, no documents have been placed before the Standing Committee of the NBWL explaining why, after all these decades, a RADAR station is suddenly needed in that location. Is there a new or emerging threat to national security? If so, is this the only way to monitor it? Has the CG explored alternative sites or alternative means?
Why is the project still “under consideration" after a site inspection carried out by an NBWL expert categorically concluded that it should be rejected? With the survival of an entire species at stake, isn't this a good reason to look at alternative sites and means of achieving the same end? When all the Independent Members of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife are unanimously opposed to the project, where is the question of keeping a decision pending? After all, it is the Committee that is empowered to take a collective decision. If the Minister could take a unilateral decision overriding the majority opinion of the Committee, where is the need for a Committee or, for that matter, the NBWL itself? It is clear that this proposal, like many others, is being rushed through without adequate due diligence. This is not acceptable, notwithstanding the bogey of “national security".
Finally, the Wildlife (Protection) Act and Supreme Court orders are clear: no non-forestry activities can be taken up in Protected Areas unless they are for the betterment of wildlife. Read the full report here.
Source: Conservation India.
