#andaman and nicobar islands

[no-passaran]

Genocide experts warn that India is about to genocide the Shompen people

Who are the Shompen?

The Shompen are an indigenous culture that lives in the Great Nicobar Island, which is nowadays owned by India. The Shompen and their ancestors are believed to have been living in this island for around 10,000 years. Like other tribes in the nearby islands, the Shompen are isolated from the rest of the world, as they chose to be left alone, with the exception of a few members who occasionally take part in exchanges with foreigners and go on quarantine before returning to their tribe. There are between 100 and 400 Shompen people, who are hunter-gatherers and nomadic agricultors and rely on their island's rainforest for survival.

Why is there risk of genocide?

India has announced a huge construction mega-project that will completely change the Great Nicobar Island to turn it into "the Hong Kong of India".

Nowadays, the island has 8,500 inhabitants, and over 95% of its surface is made up of national parks, protected forests and tribal reserve areas. Much of the island is covered by the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, described by UNESCO as covering “unique and threatened tropical evergreen forest ecosystems. It is home to very rich ecosystems, including 650 species of angiosperms, ferns, gymnosperms, and bryophytes, among others. In terms of fauna, there are over 1800 species, some of which are endemic to this area. It has one of the best-preserved tropical rain forests in the world.”

The Indian project aims to destroy this natural environment to create an international shipping terminal with the capacity to handle 14.2 million TEUs (unit of cargo capacity), an international airport that will handle a peak hour traffic of 4,000 passengers and that will be used as a joint civilian-military airport under the control of the Indian Navy, a gas and solar power plant, a military base, an industrial park, and townships aimed at bringing in tourism, including commercial, industrial and residential zones as well as other tourism-related activities.

This project means the destruction of the island's pristine rainforests, as it involves cutting down over 852,000 trees and endangers the local fauna such as leatherback turtles, saltwater crocodiles, Nicobar crab-eating macaque and migratory birds. The erosion resulting from deforestation will be huge in this highly-seismic area. Experts also warn about the effects that this project will have on local flora and fauna as a result of pollution from the terminal project, coastal surface runoff, ballasts from ships, physical collisions with ships, coastal construction, oil spills, etc.

The indigenous people are not only affected because their environment and food source will be destroyed. On top of this, the demographic change will be a catastrophe for them. After the creation of this project, the Great Nicobar Island -which now has 8,500 inhabitants- will receive a population of 650,000 settlers. Remember that the Shompen and Nicobarese people who live on this island are isolated, which means they do not have an immune system that can resist outsider illnesses. Academics believe they could die of disease if they come in contact with outsiders (think of the arrival of Europeans to the Americas after Christopher Columbus and the way that common European illnesses were lethal for indigenous Americans with no immunization against them).

And on top of all of this, the project might destroy the environment and the indigenous people just to turn out to be useless and sooner or later be abandoned. The naturalist Uday Mondal explains that “after all the destruction, the financial viability of the project remains questionable as all the construction material will have to be shipped to this remote island and it will have to compete with already well-established ports.” However, this project is important to India because they want to use the island as a military and commercial post to stop China's expansion in the region, since the Nicobar islands are located on one of the world's busiest sea routes.

Last year, 70 former government officials and ambassadors wrote to the Indian president saying the project would “virtually destroy the unique ecology of this island and the habitat of vulnerable tribal groups”. India's response has been to say that the indigenous tribes will be relocated "if needed", but that doesn't solve the problem. As a spokesperson for human rights group Survival International said: “The Shompen are nomadic and have clearly defined territories. Four of their semi-permanent settlements are set to be directly devastated by the project, along with their southern hunting and foraging territories. The Shompen will undoubtedly try to move away from the area destroyed, but there will be little space for them to go. To avoid a genocide, this deadly mega-project must be scrapped.”

On 7 February 2024, 39 scholars from 13 countries published an open letter to the Indian president warning that “If the project goes ahead, even in a limited form, we believe it will be a death sentence for the Shompen, tantamount to the international crime of genocide.”

How to help

The NGO Survival International has launched this campaign:

From this site, you just need to add your name and email and you will send an email to India's Tribal Affairs Minister and to the companies currently vying to build the first stage of the project.

Share it with your friends and acquittances and on social media.

Sources:

India’s plan for untouched Nicobar isles will be ‘death sentence’ for isolated tribe, 7 Feb 2024. The Guardian.

‘It will destroy them’: Indian mega-development could cause ‘genocide’ and ‘ecocide’, says charity, 8 Feb 2024. Geographical.

Genocide experts call on India's government to scrap the Great Nicobar mega-project, Feb 2024. Survival International.

The container terminal that could sink the Great Nicobar Island, 20 July 2022. Mongabay.

[Maps] Environmental path cleared for Great Nicobar mega project, 10 Oct 2022. Mongabay.

[reachingworldlive]

Best Resorts and Attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

[theandamanartist]

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[tramptravellercom]

Port Blair View - The Andaman and Nicobar Islands - India.

The capital city of the Andaman Islands, Port Blair is your entryway to the rich expanse of Beauty and Serenity that the Islands have to offer. Diving, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat trips provide views of rare corals and marine life. On shore, family-friendly Gandhi Park offers amusement rides and a nature trail. Further adding to the intrigue are 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, nine National Parks and one Biosphere Reserve that makes this place even more appealing.The Andaman Islands are home to the Sentinelese people, an uncontacted people. The Sentinelese are the only people currently known to not have reached further than a Paleolithic level of technology. The earliest archaeological evidence documents some 2,200 years. The Nicobar Islands appear to have been populated by people of various backgrounds.

[manshahotels]

Mansha Palace in Port Blair — Hotels in port Blair

Based on the search results, here is a summary of the key information about Mansha Palace Hotels in Port Blair, India:Mansha Palace is a hotel located in Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. Some key details about the hotel:

It is a brand new property that has been well-maintained, with comfortable rooms and accommodating, helpful staff. 1

The hotel features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, room service, and a restaurant. It also has family rooms available. 15

Mansha Palace is located close to the city center and major attractions like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (16 miles away) and Mount Harriet National Park (31 miles away). It is also just 1.9 miles from the Veer Savarkar International Airport. 15

Guests have praised the hotel’s interior architecture and decor, which reflects the natural environment of the Andaman Islands. The lobby and restaurant have been noted for their beautiful furnishings. 1

The hotel has received generally positive reviews, with an overall rating of 7.5/10 from guests. Highlights include the central location, comfortable rooms, and friendly staff. 125

Mansha Palace offers various package deals and rates for stays in Port Blair, often in combination with other Andaman island destinations like Havelock and Neil Island.

In summary, Mansha Palace appears to be a well-appointed, conveniently located hotel in Port Blair that provides a comfortable and enjoyable stay for visitors to the Andaman Islands. The property’s design, amenities, and service have been praised by past guests.

[ghumindiaghum]

This amazing Andaman tour package is perfectly suited for people who are looking for out of league travels in Andaman. This Andaman tour package with Ross And Smith Island is famous among travellers who are coming here to explore unexplored parts of Andaman or least explored parts.

[dazonntravels1]

Places to Visit in Andaman and Nicobar in 5 Days

Discover the top places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in just 5 days with Dazonn Travels. Explore the pristine beaches of Radhanagar and Elephant Beach, dive into the rich marine life at Havelock Island, and witness the historical significance of Cellular Jail. Let Dazonn Travels guide you through these unforgettable destinations for an unforgettable experience. For more details visits our website or Contact us now: +91-896-872-7340.

[shareyourideas]

Andaman and Nicobar: Not Just a Honeymooner’s Haven!

[arieesgrands12]

Andaman Hotels invites you to a world of sophistication and the lively beats of the Port Blair Island Festival. Your exquisite retreat for an unforgettable celebration!

You Can Find More - https://hotelarieesgrand.blogspot.com/2024/01/your-retreat-by-sea-at-hotels-in.html

Check Out For Some Ideas - https://qr.ae/pKlaGi

[no-passaran]

Do you have 1 minute? Add your name, surname and email to send a pre-written email to India's Tribal Affairs Minister, other Indian government ministers, and the companies vying to build the project:

[travel-vlogs]

Planning a Trip

For the best of everything—great weather, open attractions and businesses, discounted rates, and smaller crowds—visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in October, November, February, March, or April. September and May are also excellent shoulder season months.

Avoid the monsoons between May and August, especially if an action-packed itinerary is a priority. But don't rule it out completely, as it's the best time to visit.

No matter when you choose to go, the Andamans will dazzle you with lush jungles, stellar beaches, and underwater wonders. Just leave the sweaters behind—it's always beach weather out here!

[poojaairrescuers]

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES IN ANDAMAN & NICOBAR

@airambulanceindia

The medical services foundation in Andaman and Nicobar is restricted contrasted with bigger urban areas. In basic clinical circumstances where particular consideration is required, moving patients to further developed clinical offices is essential. Air rescue vehicle administrations overcome this issue and empower patients to get opportune and proper clinical consideration.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

The travel industry and Experience Exercises: Andaman and Nicobar draw in a critical number of vacationers, both homegrown and worldwide, consistently. With experience exercises like scuba plunging and traveling acquiring prevalence, the possibilities of health related crises are additionally higher. Air rescue vehicle administrations guarantee that even in far off island objections, travelers can get quick clinical consideration if necessary.

Air Rescue vehicle India is perceived as a trailblazer in giving first class air rescue vehicle administrations the nation over. With an armada of cutting edge airplane and a group of exceptionally talented clinical experts, they guarantee protected and quick transportation of patients, even in the most difficult conditions.

Experience, Aptitude, and Authority

With long stretches of involvement with the field, Air Emergency vehicle India has secured itself as a believed supplier of clinical transportation administrations. Their group of specialists and paramedics are prepared in managing basic patients, offering the most elevated level of clinical consideration during the excursion.

[harinderhp]

Trip to Kolkatta

[andamantrips]

[blogsbysamantha]

Port Blair - The Beautiful Capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The capital city of Andaman boasts of tourist-friendly places that are gorgeous and awe-inspiring. Revel in the clear blue water, trek alongside green and brown thickets, and engage in the cultural history of India, as you explore the best places to visit in Port Blair. See More...