Countering crocodiles
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has revealed that it has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for temporary delisting of crocodiles from Schedule I of the Wildlife Act.
As of now, no one knows what will happen if crocodiles are temporarily delisted from Schedule I, but the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have lauded the move, apparently believing that some step is better than nothing. Frequent human-crocodile conflicts and regular spotting of crocodiles in tourists’ favourite beaches have forced the Andaman Administration to move this proposal.
Hunting season for colleges
In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, June and July are considered the hunting season for mainland colleges, which target students from the islands. Dozens of colleges based in mainland India advertise in local newspapers to attract students, and admission to MBBS, BBA, MBA, and engineering courses is available right at the doorsteps of the students. Education is big business for many colleges, and in this season they try to catch as many candidates as possible, knowing well that thousands of students from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands migrate to mainland India every year to pursue higher studies.
European films showcased in festival
A week-long European Union Film Festival is on in Port Blair. Organised by the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism, Directorate of Arts and Culture, and Kala Kendra, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in association with the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, and Delegation of the European Union to India, the film festival will be held until July 7. This is the first time such a film festival has been organised on the islands.
Naidu coming to Andamans
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is scheduled to arrive in Port Blair on a day’s visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday. Soon after his arrival, the vice president will visit the National Memorial Cellular Jail at 9.30 am and lay a wreath at the Martyr’s Column there. He will also visit the gallery of the Cellular Jail. As per his schedule, he will then visit the Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute of Technology and address the students.
The address of the vice president will be telecast live by Doordarshan. The live telecast will be screened in all the 113 secondary schools and senior secondary schools across the A&N Islands. Roads are being repaired on a war footing ahead of the visit. Security has been beefed up in Andaman and police personnel could be seen in every corner of Port Blair city on Wednesday.
Sanjib Kumar Roy
Our correspondent in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
laurelsforsanjib@gmail.com