Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 27: As part of the ongoing SPICE PRAVAH initiative, the Department of Environment & Forests in association with the Department of Agriculture organized a ceremonial plantation drive yesterday at Chengappa Nagar Van under the banner of Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as part of Sewa Pakhwada.
On this occasion, 30 officials from both Departments planted Clove and Cinnamon seedlings, furthering the mission of reviving and expanding tree-based spice cultivation in the Islands. The plantation was formally inaugurated by Shri. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, PCCF (ANI), along with Smt. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), Dr. A. Anil Kumar, IFS, CCF (T), Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, CCF(R&WP).
The event also coincided with World Tourism Day and carried special significance in highlighting the Islands’ efforts towards eco-tourism promotion, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. By linking spice plantations with green tourism initiatives, the programme aims to create a long-term synergy between ecology, economy, and community.
The Departments reaffirmed their commitment to scale up plantation drives, mobilize local communities, and position the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as India’s Spice Gateway, while simultaneously enhancing the Islands’ reputation as a premier eco-tourism destination.
