Speaking up for those remote islands

A country’s attitude to its environment defines how good a place it is to live, work and have a future. Evolved societies with forward-looking leaders respect nature and protect it even as they seek economic growth and material prosperity. Quality of life matters. Polluted cities, for instance, are not worth living in. What real progress can there be if natural resources are eviscerated in the name of development?

India’s record in the past 10 years has been poor. Big industry is being given a free run. Government initiatives have been rammed through. Respect for informed opinion has fallen apart.

Increasingly, people are objecting because their lives are being impacted by pollution. They are holding governments to account and shaming companies. But who speaks for a remote island such as the Great Nicobar, far from the mainland.

The Great Nicobar and the accompanying Andamans are not just unique in their natural beauty but are also repositories of precious biological wealth. Protecting them for the planet and future generations should be the responsibility of governments. 

The opposite is happening. The Indian government is pushing through a development plan which will have a transshipment port, an international airport and a township on the Great Nicobar. It is too much of a load for that fragile setting.

Little would be known or understood about this government-sponsored initiative were it not for activists and responsible scholars like Pankaj Sekhsaria. They have highlighted why it will be an environmental disaster. They have also brought to public notice the way permissions have been granted without adequate scrutiny. 

If security is the reason for the development plan for Great Nicobar, it is surely excessive. Defence capabilities could easily have been reinforced and expanded at little or no environmental cost.

The damage done to the Great Nicobar will be unrepairable and come at a huge loss. Equally unrepairables for some time to come will be the checks and balances that the government has overridden.

The tragic rape and death of a young woman doctor inside R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata has brought to the fore the conditions in which India’s doctors work, particularly those in government service. 

We have interviewed Dr Alexander Thomas, veteran of the world of healthcare, on what can be done. A book, Perils in Practice, which we have reported on alongside the interview, also provides valuable information and suggestions. Governments need to listen.

We also bring you our regular columnists, opportunities to volunteer and donate, and a feature on jaggery for those wanting to get off sugar but unable to shake off the urge for something sweet.