The National Green Tribunal’s southern bench has recently halted coconut tree felling on Agatti Island in Lakshadweep. This action was sparked by a filed petition against the rampant removal of coconut trees for the construction of a beach road, an act that has been disturbing the Union Territory’s (UT) Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP). The Integrated Island Management Plan was put together based on a report provided by a Supreme Court-designated Expert Committee led by Justice R.V. Raveendran, a former SC judge. This article will dig into the relevant key points and provide a greater understanding of this issue.
About the Integrated Island Management Plan
The IIMP is a comprehensive island development plan that was crafted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) to be implemented by coastal states or UTs. This highly scientific strategy incorporates indigenous knowledge to improve the islands’ management and their resources. The Regional Green Tribunal’s recent intervention was due to the fact that the tree-felling initiative was infringing upon this plan.
Concerns Raised by the Local Population
There are significant ramifications for local residents due to such widespread cutting of the coconut trees. These individuals are experiencing a financial hit due to lost income from the products derived from these trees. Additionally, there is a notable environmental impact as these trees along the shoreline function as a green belt. This green belt serves to shield the rest of the island during extreme events such as cyclones and other natural disasters.
Agatti Island: A Brief Overview
Lying at a distance of 459 km (248 nautical miles) from Kochi, Kerala, Agatti Island is situated west of Kavaratti Island, which is the capital of the UT of Lakshadweep. Agatti spans an area of 3.84 sq km and shows a north-east to south-west trend with an elongated southern tail. The island’s lagoon area is 17.50 sq km and contains abundant coral growth along with multicoloured coral fish.
Economic Lifelines of Agatti Island
Fishing is the primary occupation on Agatti Island, which, alongside Minicoy, is perhaps the only island producing surplus fish. Following fishing, the major industries on the island are coir (coconut fibre) and copra (dried kernel or meat of the coconut). This economic dependency on coconut trees further highlights the impact of their rampant removal for road construction.
The Implications of the Interim Stay
The granted interim stay on the felling of coconut trees by the National Green Tribunal’s southern bench reflects the importance of preserving both the local livelihoods and the environmental stability of Agatti Island. This action underscores the necessity of respecting and upholding the UT’s Integrated Island Management Plan to ensure sustainable development in this region.
