Port Blair, July 11: The Bharatiya Janta Party today demanded implementation of Avaradi’s Master Plan on Buffer Zone, around Jarawa Tribal Reserve of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On July 4, 2012, the Supreme Court of India had barred commercial and tourism related activities in 5 km radius buffer area around the Jarawa Tribal Reserve of A & Islands.
Talking to media persons, Mr. R Mohan, the President of A & N State BJP unit today said that as per the said Master plan proposed by Mr. Avaradi, long back, area of Buffer Zone was made only for 500 mtrs whereas the Administrator, instead of implementing this area of 500 mtrs as buffer zone, has ordered for a 5 KM long Buffer Zone.
“This 5 km area of Buffer Zone is from Lueis inlet Bay to Constance Bay. The order of the Lt Governor has adversely affected 40 to 50 villages, since the Hon’ble Supreme Court has ordered ban on all those activities which are the life lines of the villagers. The frustrated villagers are now crying for their survival and recalling the promise of the Administrator that not a single person will be affected on implementation of Buffer Zone,” Mohan told ‘Media’ today.
The BJP has also written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands saying that the Party agrees that the interest of Jarawa has to be projected in all respect but the party is also worried about people , who were brought to these Islands under various schemes and now their land has been brought under Buffer Zone.
“Since the Administrator has been conferred with powers to give more extension to the area of Buffer Zone and also cut short of the area, the Party requests the Lt. Governor to order for implementation of Mr Avaradi’s Master Plan on Buffer Zone in the greater interest of the people of these areas. In case this Master Plan in implemented, both, the Jarwas as well as the poor affected villagers will be able to live happily,” Mohan told ‘Media’.
