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Group of Army men destroy vast stretch of corals at Elephant Beach, Havelock
Group of Army men destroy vast stretch of corals at Elephant Beach, Havelock
Written by Administrator [AndamanCronicle]
Mar 31, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Forest deptt. closes elephant beach for tourists
Havelock, March 31: A group of around 150 Army Officers on Saturday 27th March 2010 visited the Elephant Beach at Havelock, where they destroyed a vast stretch of coral reeves by standing on top of them despite all requests from the forest department. The group had traveled to Havelock by Makruz in the morning.
It is learnt that the group of Army officers who were of the ranks of Major and above under the influence of alcohol went snorkeling in the area and also tried to uproot the corals. On being stopped by the forest officials, the army officers threatened them by talking about their ranks in the Indian Army. It is further learnt that even the dinghy operators and the local people of Havelock pleaded them from getting away from the corals but the officers never paid any heed to their requests.
When the competent authority of the Forest Department were informed, they immediately ordered the closure of the beach for tourists. Sources further inform that the next day another group of around 200 Army Officers visited Havelock and demanded that they be taken to the Elephant Beach. But the forest department and the tour operators blindly refused them and decided not to take any Army people to the beach even if the beach is opened for tourists.
According to a Forest Official, such destruction of coral reeves also happens when there is no restriction in the entry of tourists. Moreover in Havelock, the tourists are taken to the beach by the local fishermen who have least idea of handling the tourists. There should be a proper training to the tour operators and also restrictions on entry to sensitive beaches if our beaches are to be protected, he opined.
Written by Administrator [AndamanCronicle]
Mar 31, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Forest deptt. closes elephant beach for tourists
Havelock, March 31: A group of around 150 Army Officers on Saturday 27th March 2010 visited the Elephant Beach at Havelock, where they destroyed a vast stretch of coral reeves by standing on top of them despite all requests from the forest department. The group had traveled to Havelock by Makruz in the morning.
It is learnt that the group of Army officers who were of the ranks of Major and above under the influence of alcohol went snorkeling in the area and also tried to uproot the corals. On being stopped by the forest officials, the army officers threatened them by talking about their ranks in the Indian Army. It is further learnt that even the dinghy operators and the local people of Havelock pleaded them from getting away from the corals but the officers never paid any heed to their requests.
When the competent authority of the Forest Department were informed, they immediately ordered the closure of the beach for tourists. Sources further inform that the next day another group of around 200 Army Officers visited Havelock and demanded that they be taken to the Elephant Beach. But the forest department and the tour operators blindly refused them and decided not to take any Army people to the beach even if the beach is opened for tourists.
According to a Forest Official, such destruction of coral reeves also happens when there is no restriction in the entry of tourists. Moreover in Havelock, the tourists are taken to the beach by the local fishermen who have least idea of handling the tourists. There should be a proper training to the tour operators and also restrictions on entry to sensitive beaches if our beaches are to be protected, he opined.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shibu Varghese on -
Sir,
Its sheer frustation as these folks have not fought a war since long.and basically doing nothing other than pleasing their bosses......the def needs to plan things properly and the days are not far when there will be a mutiny if this is the case.
abliash site you can c in the photographs that they have been seen destroying chidyatapu......the easiest way for them to carry these to mainland is their ships which carry all banned items like burr,shells and other things.
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Permalink Reply by www.dineshdental.com Dr.Dinesh on -
[Andaman Nicobar] Anger Boils out to see people ripping apart the Lung of Our Ocean
Military personnel based in the islands are the worst offenders as far as
ripping off coral is concerned.
If you want to help stop this, send your video to the Commander in Chief,
Andaman & Nicobar Command, Port Blair, with a copy to the Forest Dept. They will
definitely take action.
Rauf Ali
Aurodam
Auroville- 605 101
Cell: 94437 47146…
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Permalink Reply by BijuThomasJacob on -
Defence forces are believed to be more diciplined than civilians - A handfull of them[irresponsible army men] spoil the name of all- stern action should be taken- As every one is aware it takes years together to form corals . SO WHAT MUST BE THE CASE OF OTHER CORAL REEFS WHERE THERE ARE NO CIVILIANS LIVING-
"PROTECTORS BECOME DESTROYERS"
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Permalink Reply by P.G.Abhilash on -
i say thet they should be arrested and put behind bars immediatly
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Permalink Reply by Shibu Varghese on
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I was told the only witness is the forest guard. and few dug out operators .....i am trying to find out if the boat operators have taken the photograph of the same.
lets hope that the admin shall initate some action in this regard.
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Permalink Reply by Nadeem. A on -
It's relay sad to know about Elephant Beach at Havelock, the army people destroyed the coral reefs despite all requests from the forest department. they should be taken under wild life protection act.and necessary action may be taken with those Army Ir-responsible official visited the Elephant Beach and the Tourism/Forest department should take undertaking from the individuals tourist visiting all under water Marine parks along with Do & Don't and requires action may be taken to safe guard the tourist attraction of this lovely islands.
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Permalink Reply by P.G.Abhilash on
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who will check those who check the people who check others?understood
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Permalink Reply by BijuThomasJacob on
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I Have openned up for Disscussion after a week - pl Excersice constrains before commenting - Just for a handfull of them others should not be Deframmed - Hope all will co operate
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Permalink Reply by Shibu Varghese on
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Dear Biju,
the army's version which has come in the andaman Nicobar yahoo groups.is some thing like this.where things are put in a different way.
I checked with the Army and Navy HQ. They have a different version
1. They say, one can not stand on corals, let alone damage it as corals will
cut through the flesh. So the story on officers damaging corals in not
correct. Since I am no expert on corals, I don't know.
2. They admitted that officers from the Staff College went to Havelock
island. But they had a tussle with the tour operators who charged extra
money. Things heated up between young officers and representatives of tour
operators. As a result, this story was floated.
3. They also claimed that no forest guards were present and no question of
beating them up.
4. It has not been reported to the new Army chief or the Navy chief. Neither
it has come officially to Army's eco cell. But IDS HQ is aware of the
incident.
5. This has also not been brought to the notice to union env minister Jairam
Ramesh. He is not aware of this incident.
this is an extract of one of the discussions in the andamanicober@yahoogroups.co.in evry body can log and register in this group and take part .
regards
shibu
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Permalink Reply by ANIRBAN CHOUDHURY on -
This happened because of lack of proper education & may be lack of sensitizing about ecology in their training curriculum. Most of the ecology related initiatives in the earlier decades were taken by officers in the three services and the territorial army. There are many examples from Laddakh, Rajasthan, NE. Its an unfortunate incident that needs by administration.
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