Andamans turning into poachers’ paradise

Andamans turning into poachers’ paradise
AJAY SURI

PORT BLAIR, MARCH 9: The tourist paradise of Andaman & Nicobar islands is under siege. Gangs of poachers from Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka have been plundering the rich marine life in this archipelago of over 500 islands, and India is finally sitting up and taking notice.

Myanmar is the biggest culprit and the fact that it has leased out its Coco island in the vicinity to the Chinese armed forces has added a security angle to this robbery. That’s the reason why the Government wants to tread cautiously. This, however, didn’t stop Union Home Minister L.K.Advani from blowing the whistle on a recent visit to the islands: ‘‘Poaching is an economic issue, but soon it could turn into a security issue.’’

The poachers’ modus operandi is simple but effective: a master ship drops anchor in the deep sea, well within India’s exclusive economic zone, stretching up to 200 nautical miles from the shore. From this ship, smaller boats fitted with high-speed motors fan out into the islands and go about their job with precision.Trees are cut down with impunity with the help of large diamond-teeth saws. Already two islands Diglipur and Mayarwende have lost much of their tree cover. But the seabed is where the real treasure lies. For instance, the sea cucumber is a big delicacy in most south-eastern countries, including Japan and China. The turbo and trochos shells fetch a very high price in major European markets. Designers use these to make fancy buttons and cuff-links.

Fish of every conceivable variety, rare corals, turtles and crocodiles make way to the master ships almost on a daily basis, officials concede. A live crocodile often fetches about $8,000 in the international market.

And what has India done to check this? Believe it or not, the marine police set up last year to take on these criminals doesn’t have a single boat at its disposal! Area Inspector General of Police S.K.Kain is not smiling. ‘‘How do you expect us to function? A marine police without boats is unthinkable in any part of the world. We have been promised eight boats. Only god knows when they will arrive,’’ he says, shaking his head in dismay.

Despite this crippling handicap, 742 poachers were arrested last year as compared to 200 two years ago. Kain is cautious: ‘‘This may also mean that the culprits are more active now. But it also shows our efforts and that of the Navy and Coast Guard are beginning to bear fruit.’’

The headache of the authorities doesn’t end even after convictions are secured. It’s a common sight here to find a convicted man moving about freely for as long as an year after completing his sentence, waiting for his country to take him back. In the interim, they pick up the local language and return soon after they are deported with enhanced skills. The administration can just throw up its hands in despair.

Advani, admitting that the problem is serious, says his officials will soon take up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Patrolling the 1650-km coastline of the islands is a daunting task. What makes it more difficult is the fact that only about 34 islands are inhabited. The poachers have vast areas to hide and the it’s not easy for the police to spot them. So, they remain one step ahead of the police and the plunder continues.