Sri Vijaya Puram, November 6: Rising sea levels, higher temperatures and intensifying cyclones pose a growing threat to the long-term survival of island territories, with low-lying parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands requiring targeted action plans, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma said on November 5. He called for a reassessment of development priorities to ensure that infrastructure expansion and economic growth do not come at the cost of environmental protection.
Addressing a seminar titled “The Future of Islands in the Era of Climate Change – With Special Reference to Andaman and Nicobar”, Sharma warned that the islands face mounting environmental challenges that could affect their land, natural resources and communities. He said development policies must account for the vulnerability of island ecosystems and maintain a balance between human activity and nature conservation.
The impact of climate change extends beyond the physical environment to the social lives and traditions of island communities, Sharma said. Coastal populations share an inseparable relationship with the sea, making changes in sea levels and weather patterns a direct concern for their livelihoods and everyday needs.
Rising sea levels could affect not only coastal land but also the availability of drinking water, agriculture and fisheries, he said, identifying these as key areas requiring attention. The islands’ dependence on their surrounding marine environment makes climate-related risks particularly consequential for local communities.
Sharma emphasised the need to protect forests and coral reefs, which act as natural barriers against powerful waves and cyclones. He also called for a stronger balance between development activities and environmental conservation, alongside the adoption of clean energy and effective rainwater harvesting systems.
Traditional knowledge and the experiences of local and tribal communities, he said, could contribute to efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. Their understanding of the island environment should form part of the broader response to the challenges facing the region.
Describing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as strategically important to India’s national security, Sharma said the territory serves as a guardian of the country’s maritime borders while also representing significant natural wealth and cultural diversity. He stressed that the islands’ strategic importance and environmental vulnerability must both figure in future development planning.
He also said the islands could emerge as an important centre for maritime trade in the coming years and contribute to India’s ambition of becoming a prosperous nation. Planned development would also strengthen the country’s strategic capabilities, he added.
The remarks bring the environmental risks facing the islands into focus at a time when development planning must account for the long-term implications of climate change. Sharma said the relationship between progress and nature conservation should guide the region’s development approach.
Scientists Dr. C.M. Nautiyal, Dr. Mukund Sharma, Dr. Dhruv Sen Singh, Dr. Atma Prakash Misra and Dr. Venkatesh Dutta attended the seminar. Professors Kanchan Lata, Shalini Srivastava and Poonam Verma, along with Councillor Swadesh Singh and others, were also present.
