ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Crocodile kills an old lady in Andaman

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Port Blair, Jan 14: In yet another incident of deadly crocodile attack, a 62 years old lady of Ograbraj village of South Andaman region was killed, police said today.

According to police sources the victim, Mrs. Ramani Mandal, aged 62, was fishing at Beach Dera area of Ograbraj village yesterday evening with her husband, Mr. Devan Mandal, her daughter and another villager, when suddenly a crocodile came from nowhere and attacked her.

“After a long struggle Devan Mandal and others managed to free heavily wounded, Ramani Mandal from crocodile’s deadly jaws but soon she succumbed to her injuries,” Vinith Kumar, Dy. S.P of Middle and North Andaman Andaman Sheekha today.

According to police she suffered deadly injuries in her arms and legs.

The body was brought to nearby Government Hospital this morning from the remote Beach Dera area and a police report was filed.

In last two years, this is fourth such incident of crocodile attack, which resulted in the death.

On December 26, a 24 year old boy, Kumar C.H Hemraj in Hut Bay Island, who had gone for fishing at old Machli Dera Nallah but became a victim of a crocodile.

On 24 August 2011 a lady of South Andaman’s Tushnabad village area was attacked and killed by Crocodile, when she was washing utensils in a creek.

Earlier in April 2010, a 25-year-old woman from New Jersey, Lauren Failla, was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkelling in Neil Cove beach of Havelock Island.

Chief Secretary visits N&M district

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Port Blair, Jan 12: The Chief Secretary, Mr. Shakti Sinha visited North & Middle Andaman district from 11th to 12th January, 2012. Soon after arrival, Chief Secretary went to Dr. RP Hospital, Mayabunder and also inspected GMSSS, Mayabunder. He issued necessary instruction to all concerned for early completion of work. Thereafter, he visited the proposed site for District Administration and also newly constructed Tehsil Office building.
Later, Chief Secretary alongwith the forest officials visited Tugapur timber extraction point and gave necessary directions to Forest Official to dispose off the timber, so as to meet the long pending demand of public. CS also paid a visit to under construction Laukinallah RCC bridge where he was briefed by the Ex. Engineer (NACD), APWD, Mayabunder about the work. CS was accompanied by the Com-cum-Secretary (Shipping), Adhyaksha, N&M Andaman Zilla Parishad, Dy. Commissioner (N&MA), other Govt. Officers and PRI Members. In the evening CS attended a function at Webi Community Hall where in the presence of Commr-cum-Secretary (Shipping) and other Govt. officers he released the first ever Karen Book Reader-I for the Karen community.
A cultural programme was organised on this occasion. On 12th January, 2012, CS on the way to Diglipur visited PHC, Kishorinagar and took stock of the situation from the M.O. (I/c). He also visited the GMSSS, Sitanagar and issued necessary directions for repair and maintenance of the School.

Mangrove Trail and cleanliness drive at Cuthbert Bay

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Port Blair, Jan 12: Greeno Eco Club Of GSSS Sabari Junction along with the School’s DNA Club conducted a mangrove trail followed by a cleanliness drive at Cuthbert Bay Beach, Middle Andaman which is a notified wild life Sanctuary on 11.01.2012. This sanctuary is spread over 5.82 sq.km. on Eastern Coast of Middle Andaman Islands. It is having splendid beach which is used by sea turtles viz. Green sea turtle, Leather back turtle and Olive ridley for nesting.
Earlier on reaching the mangrove entry point at Betapur, the Green cadets were divided into five groups. The mangrove trail covered a distance of 1 KM culminating in the beach. The cadets were given information about the biodiversity associated with mangroves and their importance in the eco system.

On the beach the green cadets collected all sorts of wastes which included plastic bottles, disposable plastic cups, glasses, aluminium foil wrappers etc .The entire beach area and its surroundings were cleaned by the cadets. The cadets collected all sorts of non biodegradable wastes from the fragile turtle nesting beach and its surrounding area.. After the cleanliness drive, green cadets expressed and shared their views and they all pledged to leave only footprints whenever they visit sea beaches.

PADMANATHAM of Class XI A was declared as the best volunteer of the campaign and G Vinod Kumar of XI B was declared as the winner in the feedback test..The students also interacted with the forest officials to clarify their doubts related to the turtle nesting site.They were given the opportunity to visit the protected turtle nests.The team was lead by Mr. Bency Joy, Eco Club Incharge of the school.

GREEN CADETS also participated in a open house quiz hosted by Mr. Suman Halder and Mr. Ram Parvesh, teachers who also accompanied the trail. Kr Bibash Biswas,IX B and Kr Saurav Dhali were declared as the winners in the quiz competition.

Earlier Principal of the school Smt Puspha Kumari Amma flagged off the trail from the school premises. She motivated green cadets by her enlighting words and appealed to the students for taking every effort to protect mother nature.

Hit and Run Case at Billyground

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N & M Correspondent
Billyground, Jan 10: Today early in the morning at 7 am a villager of Billyground was hit by a Tata Somu and after the incident the driver fled away from the scene with his vehicle. The villager, Mr. S Nag, aged 55 years sustained injuries in several places and soon he was rushed to the hospital.

After getting information, SHO of PS Billyground, Mr. Pritam Kumar reached the spot and soon he traced out the driver of the Tata Somu SUV. It was found that the driver was under heavy influence of liquor. According to information a case has been registered 279,337RWS and 134/187 MV Act 1988.

 

BJP demands financial assistance for Diglipur Boy

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Port Blair, Jan 09: A 19 years old boy of Kishori Nagar, Diglipur Mr. Ajit Chowkidar was hit by a STS Bus on 27th December, 2012 at 7 AM near Radha Krishna Temple Bridge, Subhashgram and brought to GB Pant Hospital with multiple injuries and damaged gallbladder.
According to a release issued by BJP, the boy’s body is not accepting blood being given by the Hospital. The mother of the boy, a poor lady having no money, is running from pillar to post for financial help to take her Son to mainland hospital for proper treatment.
The boy is admitted at surgical ward No: 2 at bed no 10. R Mohan, State President, BJP, getting the information had requested the Lt Governor and The Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration to give him immediate financial help and stated that when the whole Island is enjoying Tourism Festival being organised by the Administration where lakhs of rupees are being spent like water, is it not irony that a mother is crying for help! Mohan has also requested the islanders to kindly come forward with some financial help and save the family from destruction.

Caving manners while entering Baratang lime stone cave

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Dr.Dinesh
Lime stone cave of Baratang takes about 90 minutes by boat from Baratang jetty through the exotic mangroves, (more high powered fibre boats which takes about 20 minutes will be an added advantage for the tourists if the administration can provide during the peak season as the tourists have to wait in the jetty for a longer duration) and a walk about a 1.20 kms to reach the cave through the village with tropical rain forests, bamboo plants which gives a continuous shade through out along the path & the path is almost sandy with little ups and downs even aged people doesn’t find it difficult, with sits outs at many locations for the old people to relax under the tress. Just before reaching the cave there is temporary sheds constructed by localites who serve lime juice in mineral water in disposable tumblers and cut cucumber sprinkled with salt and chilly powder, no tea or coffee is served. A thing to be learnt from them as it’s so hygienic. It is a polythene free zone; one can quench your thirst and proceed or come back and relax.
Limestone cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. Limestone dissolves under the action of rainwater and ground water charged with carbonic acid and naturally occurring acids the dissolution process produces a distinctive landform characterised by sink hole. The baratang limestone cave has a sink hole and is adorned with calcium carbonate formations produced through slow precipitation. These include stalactites, stalagmites, helicitites and columns. Now a days people from all over the world visit the baratang cave, many cavers has the habit to touch or hold on to everything in his or her surrounding, often because having a hold for hand gives the idea of being more stable on your feet, especially in the slippery cave environment, most of the time stalagmites they offer perfect handhold , but sometimes they even do it deliberately or where one of them is touching a nice formation or worse trying to stand on top of it for a nice photograph, this is by sheer ignorance or stupidity. Stay and admire them from a safe distance, if possible near to concretion move more slowly, nobody has the right to dirty or break a formation just to satisfy his own curiosity.
Sign boards stating “Don’t touch formations” “stay and admire them from a safe distance” should be prominently displayed at the entrance of the cave, as this formation takes years and years. Making inscriptions or graffiti on cave walls should be discouraged as it is an act of vandalism.


White LED lights should be put along the side instead of using emergency lamp by the tour guides of lime stone cave of Baratang as there is total darkness at the end point, moreover it is safe for ladies and children as this cave has a narrow passage.
It is extremely important that all cavers start caring about our limestone cave of Baratang and start to educate visitors through tourist guides to good caving manners before they begin to enter, this will preserve the formations.

Damages caused by ‘Thane’ go unnoticed??

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Port Blair, Jan 07: If you believe that Thane Cylone had ‘zero’ or ‘little’ impact on Andaman and Nicobar Islands, think again. Cyclone Strom “Thane’ in A&N Islands from 25th- 27th December, 2011 caused serious damaged in A& N Islands. As per details available here at Car Nicobar a total of 104 Coconut trees were damaged (uprooted).
Due to falling of coconut tree one Mr. Hakey S/o Vincent , aged about 35 years R/o Chuckchucha village expired on 24th December, 2011 at around 09 .00 PM.
The deceased was traveling with his wife Smti Esther aged 30 yrs. On a motorcycle (Regd.No. AN-01-D-1176) at Chuckchucha (loop road). Smti Esther has also sustained injuries as per the report of CEO, DDMA, Nicobar District.
Here at South Andaman, a missing report of Mr. S. Yamma Rao @ Gurumoorthy S/o S. Babu Rao, aged 28 yrs. R/o Chunna Bhatta was lodged by Mr. S. Yadav Rao, S /o Mr. M. Vasudev, aged 28 yrs. Fisherman R/o Chunna Bhatta that on 25/12/2011 at about 07.00 hrs at Police Station Bambooflat. Mr. M. Papa Rao informed Mr. Yadav Rao over phone that on 22/12/2011, M. Pappa Rao alongwith upender and Tata Rao went for fishing at Havelock area by Engine dinghy.
While coming back on 25/12/2011 their dinghy got damaged and they have anchored at Madhuban sea and requested to tow, on this Mr. Yadav Rao alongwith Mr. Yamma Rao @ Gurumoorthy and Mr. C.H. Iswar Rao went to Madhuban area by Engine dinghy for towing the damaged dinghy and towed the dinghy for 10 to 15 minutes, suddenly the dinghy belonging to Yadav Rao also got damaged and both the dinghies started drifting in the turbulent sea waves and sinking. They jumped to the sea and managed to swim to the coast except Mr. S. Yamma Rao, R/o Chunna Bhatta, search were made in all respect but in vain. Later on searches were made by the authorities and on 29/12/2011 missing person’s dead body traced out form Madhuban sea as per the report of SHO, Police Station, Bamboo flat.
Besides this there were also heavy loss of crop and damage of crop field in North and Middle Andaman, due to heavy rain caused due to influence of Thane.

Food processing training by UNNATI at Diglipur

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Port Blair, Jan 07: UNNATI and Directorate of Industries are organizing food processing training for 40 candidates at Diglipur from 10-01-2012. All the candidates were requested to report to the Incharge food processing training center at Diglipur. The training will be conducted by the Food Technologist and Resource Person of UNNATI and Directorate of Industries.
The training at Stewartgunj village is being conducted jointly by UNNATI and Agriculture in association with Panchayat and in training cum production center Dollygunj by resource person of UNNATI and officials of Line department.

The food processing training on marine and coconut based products will be continuous programme and being arranged by UNNATI in association with Directorate of Industries, Agriculture and PRI,/Tribal Council different Islands in association with PRIs, Line Departments, NYK, NABARD and A&N State Co-operative Union, Interested person may contact Incharge training center or UNNATI office contact no: 231616, 9434283062 .Preference will be given to coconut growers and fishermen.

Local youths take initiatives to put Diglipur Island in World Tourism Map

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Staff Correspondent

Port Blair, Jan 05: A group of four local youths from Diglipur and Port Blair Islands have done something, which the Administration has failed to do all these years. These greatly committed and highly motivated youths have now taken up initiatives to put the Diglipur Island in world tourism map. Not just this, these youths plan a sustained and self-sufficient tourism model for Diglipur Island, so that everyone in the Island can reap the benefits of tourism boom in Diglipur.
“Diglipur has several promising but lesser known tourist sites. Among them Ross and Smith Islands, chain of nearly 130 Mud Volcanos in Shyam Nagar, Turtle Nesting at Kalipur, Ramnagar beach and Alfred Caves (nearly 30 in numbers) have the highest potential to attract large number of tourists. We want Administration to take some serious steps to promote these spots and create basis infrastructure for tourists,” Axex Rajan, the General Secretary of Diglipur Association for Rural Tourism and Ecological Development (DARTED) told Andaman Sheekha today.
The team consisting of Alex Raja, General Secretary, D J Venkatesh, Vice President, Bibhas Kumar Biswas, Jt. Secretary and Mr. Uttam Kumar Saha, President of DARTED, is presently visiting Port Blair and knocking doors of every top officer of A & N Administration to sensitize them about the Tourism Potential of Diglipur Island.
“We demand regular vessels (night sailing) for Diglipur Island from Port Blair and some of these vessels should be sent via Havelock Island, so that tourists don’t have to come all the way to Port Blair and travel to Diglipur. We also want entry fee waiver for entry in Ross and Smith and Saddle Peak, which is excessively high at present. A & N Islands Wild Life (Protection) Rules 2008 has provided for various kinds of fees payable under Rules 17, 18 and 19 and also empower Lt. Governor under Sub-Rule 19(d) of the said rules to give exemption from such fees. Such exemption can provide a positive incentive for tourism promotion in North Andaman,” Mr. Rajan added.


Meanwhile the team has already put some efforts on the grounds like putting signboard on the route of Diglipur Mud Volcano, taking officials to Lime Stone caves etc.
According to these youths, if promoted properly tourism industry can easily provide employment to thousands of youths in North and Middle Andaman and boost the economy.
Hope these efforts will be suitably acknowledged by the Administration and decision makers will take some serious steps for the Tourism Transformation of Diglipur Islands.

Route the PAT Regulation Amendment through Standing Committee of Home: MP

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Port Blair, Jan 02: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today demanded to route the Proposal copy for amendment of Andaman and Nicobar Islands PAT (protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations 1956, through Standing Committee of Home or any Parliamentary Committee.

“Let the Amendment of PAT regulation route through the Standing Committee Home, which is the nodal department of A & N Islands. Let the committee give report first. Or the Proposal must be examined by a Parliamentary Committee to know the ground realities,” Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray the lone Member of Parliament of A & N Island told a section of media today at MP Bhavan.

The MP showed documents to the section of media, which proves that the Administration has submitted a proposal for amendment of Andaman and Nicobar Islands PAT (protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulations 1956, to the Secretary of Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs on 19 November 2011.

“If the proposal is finalised and signed by the President of India then the new amendments in PAT regulations will be disastrous for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Now according to new amendments in Buffer Zone area no private institution can employ more than 19 employees and can have an annual turn over of more than 1 crore. Any such violation will lead to imprisonment. This will bring corruption and also harassment for common man,” the MP said.