Bank and Soil Erosion Threatens Livelihoods in A & N Islands; MP Calls for Pressing Survey and Various Land for Affected Farmers

Tarun Karthick

Port Blair, 22 July 2023

In the picturesque Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a rising menace looms giant for farmers within the areas of North & Middle Andaman in addition to South Andaman – Bank and Soil erosion. In response to this alarming problem, Member of Parliament Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has referred to as for an pressing and thorough survey to evaluate the extent of the injury brought on by erosion and to determine farmers who’ve misplaced or are susceptible to dropping their land. Moreover, he advocates the supply of other land in secure and secure areas for these affected.

Having personally witnessed the dire penalties of Bank and Soil erosion throughout his visits to distant villages in North and Middle Andaman, in addition to South Andaman, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma penned a letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, highlighting the urgent matter. The erosion, primarily triggered by river flows and varied water channels, has severely jeopardized the livelihoods of farmers who depend on the allotted land for his or her sustenance.

Numerous farmers have already fallen sufferer to the relentless encroachment of river waters, dropping their valuable land within the course of. Hundreds of others now reside in fixed concern of dropping their sole technique of survival, trapped in a precarious state of affairs.

The affect of Bank and Soil erosion has been devastating for residents in a number of villages, together with Khudirampur, R.Okay. Gram, DB Gram, Krishnapuri, Sitanagar, Rabindrapally, Pahalgam, Swadesh Nagar, Shantipur, Duke Nagar, Pinaki Nagar, Harinagar (partial), Prafulla Nagar, Govindapur, some villages within the Rangat area, Basantipur, TV Kullam, Urmilapur, Lakshmipur, Bakultala, Manpur, Collinpur, and different areas.

Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma expressed deep concern for the affected communities and careworn that quick consideration and intervention are required to safeguard their well-being. He additionally make clear the plight of settler households who have been allotted land by the Government of India underneath varied settlement schemes. These households at the moment are going through large hardships as a result of erosion of their allotted land.

In his letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament urged for a complete survey of the affected areas to evaluate the complete extent of the injury and determine farmers who’ve already misplaced their land or are in danger. Additionally, he passionately appealed for the allocation of other items of land in secure and secure places, aiming to alleviate the misery confronted by these households and make sure the continuity of their livelihoods.

Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma emphasised that taking quick motion on this regard wouldn’t solely shield the farmers’ livelihoods but additionally contribute to the general welfare and growth of the affected villages.

The name for an intensive survey and the supply of other land comes as a beacon of hope for the farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as they search to guard their houses, households, and centuries-old lifestyle from the relentless power of nature. The destiny of those communities now lies within the arms of the authorities, who’re urged to behave swiftly to avert an impending disaster and safe a brighter future for these affected.