Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Environmental impact assessment
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Forest Rights
– Galathea Bay National park
– Wildlife conservation
Context
A unilateral decision to establish three wildlife sanctuaries in the southern Nicobar will deprive the indigenous peoples of their ancestral territories and lifeways
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 22nd April 2024
Empower the guardians of the earth, do not rob them
The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, home to indigenous communities, faces a challenge with the government’s unilateral decision to establish wildlife sanctuaries, disregarding indigenous land ownership and management systems. Indigenous communities around the world face similar situation when it comes to forest conservation and their traditional rights.
Role of Indigenous People in Conservation
- Preservation of Natural Flora:
- Indigenous communities perceive plants as habitats of gods and goddesses, leading to their preservation in natural settings.
- These communities conserve a diverse range of plants, including crop varieties, wild fruits, seeds, bulbs, roots, and tubers, upon which they rely for sustenance.
- Utilization of Traditional Knowledge:
- Rural communities have accumulated indigenous knowledge over generations for cultivating medicinal plants and promoting their propagation.
- These plants serve as remedies for various ailments, including snake and scorpion bites, as well as orthopedic treatments.
- Protection of Sacred Groves:
- Indigenous peoples in India have played a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity by preserving flora and fauna in sacred groves.
- These areas, untouched by human interference, serve as vital refuges for diverse plant and animal species.
Challenges Faced by Indigenous People
- Disruption Due to World Heritage Site Designation:
- Isolating indigenous communities from their natural habitats to protect biodiversity often leads to conflicts with conservation efforts.
- Designating natural habitats as World Heritage Sites can bring in external interventions and technologies that disrupt the lives of indigenous peoples.
- Lax Implementation of Forest Rights Act:
- Many states in India have inadequately implemented the Forest Rights Act (FRA), resulting in limited recognition of indigenous land claims.
- Legal challenges to the FRA’s constitutionality further hinder indigenous peoples’ rights to their ancestral lands.
- Development vs. Conservation Dilemma:
- Indigenous lands are frequently targeted for infrastructure development projects such as dams, mining, and power plants, leading to displacement and environmental degradation.
- Balancing development needs with conservation efforts often results in the marginalization of indigenous communities and violation of their rights.
- Illegal Land Encroachment:
- Government records indicate widespread encroachment on forest lands, both legally and illegally, prior to the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act.
- This encroachment threatens indigenous territories and exacerbates environmental degradation.
The case of Andaman Islanders
The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is home to seven tiny islands off the shores of Little Nicobar. Despite being classified as “uninhabited” in government records, these islands hold significant importance for the indigenous communities of the region, particularly the southern Nicobarese peoples.
Traditional Rights and Spiritual Significance
- Indigenous Ownership: The indigenous southern Nicobarese people, known as Payuh, have traditional rights over these islands, including Meroë and Menchal.
- Spiritual Beliefs: Menchal Island holds spiritual significance as it is believed to be inhabited by the spirit Pingaeyak, which prohibits overexploitation of resources and ensures the island’s ecosystem remains unharmed.
- Cultural Heritage: Meroë Island is regarded as the abode of a legendary islander community, reflecting the cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous inhabitants.
- Guardianship by Elders: Community elders and specific individual caretakers oversee the management of Meroë and Menchal islands, ensuring the protection of resources and sustainability practices.
The Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) administration issued public notices, announcing its intention to create three wildlife sanctuaries: a coral sanctuary at Meroë Island, a megapode sanctuary at Menchal Island, and a leatherback turtle sanctuary on Little Nicobar Island.
Issues with government decision
- Unilateral Decision-making:
- The A&N administration asserted its authority without considering the indigenous peoples’ traditional management systems or consulting them on matters affecting their ancestral lands.
- The decision to establish wildlife sanctuaries was made without adequate justification, leading to questions about the arbitrary selection of conservation areas and the actual biodiversity present on the designated islands.
- Exclusionary Conservation Measures:
- The establishment of wildlife sanctuaries coincided with criticism over the denotification of existing conservation areas for a mega project, suggesting a lack of genuine conservation intent.
- These measures risk further marginalizing indigenous communities and undermining their rights to land, resources, and traditional practices in the name of conservation.
- Environmental Impact:
- Arbitrary Selection of Conservation Areas:
- The designation of conservation areas on Meroë and Menchal Islands lacks scientific justification and does not accurately reflect the biodiversity or ecological significance of these regions.
- The exclusion of indigenous voices and traditional ecological knowledge from the decision-making process raises concerns about the effectiveness and legitimacy of conservation efforts.
- Potential Ecological Disasters:
- The establishment of wildlife sanctuaries may mask the environmental damage caused by large-scale development projects, such as the denotification of the Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
- These projects threaten to destroy critical habitats, including coral reefs, nesting sites for endangered species, and indigenous communities’ livelihoods.
- Arbitrary Selection of Conservation Areas:
- Social and Cultural Impacts:
- Indigenous communities face displacement and loss of livelihoods due to the imposition of conservation measures that prioritize external interests over local needs.
- The destruction of ancestral lands and traditional ways of life undermines indigenous peoples’ cultural identity and self-determination, perpetuating historical injustices and marginalization.
Conclusion
The unilateral establishment of wildlife sanctuaries in the Andaman and Nicobar islands disregards indigenous rights and undermines conservation efforts. Recognizing and supporting indigenous communities as earth’s guardians is essential for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.
Related Topics
Galathea National Park
Galathea National Park is a National Park located in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- It is located on the island of Great Nicobar in the Nicobar Islands.
- The total area of this park is 110 square kilometres, and it was gazetted as a National Park of India in 1992.
- Galathea is a part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, which also includes the larger Campbell Bay National Park, separated from Galathea by a 12-km forest buffer zone.
- The Galathea National Park comprises the core area of the southern part of the Biosphere Reserve in Great Nicobar Island and consists of lowland forests which have the greatest abundance of endemic avifauna.
- It is the prime nesting habitat of the Nicobar Megapode and of other endemic species.
References
Related PYQ
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. [UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2016]
Practice Question
Discuss issues of wildlife conservation v/s tribal rights with special reference to Andaman Nicobar Islands. [150 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction:
- Begin by briefly introducing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlighting their unique biodiversity and the presence of indigenous tribal groups.
- Mention the importance of these islands from an ecological and anthropological perspective.
Body:
- Discuss the issues related to wildlife conservation in the islands. This could include the impact of development pressures, climate change, and invasive species on the local flora and fauna.
- Highlight the efforts made for the protection of wildlife, such as the establishment of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Shift the focus to the tribal rights issues. Discuss the challenges faced by the tribal communities due to development activities and the impact on their traditional lifestyle.
- Discuss the conflict between wildlife conservation and tribal rights, with specific examples from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body of the essay.
- Emphasize the need for a balanced approach that respects both wildlife conservation and tribal rights.
- Suggest some possible solutions or measures that could help achieve this balance, such as sustainable development practices, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, and greater involvement of tribal communities in conservation efforts.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!