Sri Vijaya Puram, November 15: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands face growing environmental risks from rising sea levels, coastal erosion, warming waters and increasingly powerful cyclones, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma has warned, stressing that infrastructure expansion must not come at the cost of the archipelago’s fragile ecosystem.
Addressing a dialogue on climate change in Aligarh on November 14, Sharma described the Islands as highly vulnerable to the effects of global warming and said changing weather patterns were intensifying natural disasters. He linked cyclones, floods and other extreme events to disturbances in the natural balance, while pointing to melting glaciers and rising sea levels as major threats to coastal regions.
He identified coastal erosion, damage to marine ecosystems and declining freshwater availability among the challenges confronting the Islands. Rising water temperatures, he said, were damaging mangrove reefs, which provide protection against tsunamis and storms while supporting marine ecosystems. He also warned that cyclones were becoming more powerful and causing greater damage.
Sharma said the administration planned to accelerate development across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including improvements in air and water connectivity and the development of port areas. However, he maintained that these projects would have to proceed alongside environmental conservation.
With more than 80 per cent of its geographical area under forest cover, the Islands possess significant natural resources and ecological value, he said. He added that climate-related effects were also becoming evident in mainland India, particularly through rising temperatures and drought.
Emphasising the importance of ecological balance, Sharma said environmental degradation and pollution were affecting human life and contributing to the spread of diseases. He called for stronger public participation in conservation, particularly through tree plantation and sustained efforts to protect existing trees.
Citing the tradition of planting trees in the names of ancestors during Pitru Paksha in Gujarat, he urged people to adopt similar practices and take responsibility for ensuring the survival of saplings. He also referred to India’s cultural traditions of reverence for the Earth, rivers, animals and other elements of nature, saying the country’s conservation ethos must remain strong.
Sharma also raised concerns about changing family relationships and social behaviour linked to mobile phone use, arguing that reduced communication and declining respect for elders reflected a broader need to maintain balance in society.
He called on people to protect nature and preserve the environmental balance essential for human survival.
Several public representatives and other dignitaries attended the programme, including Aligarh MP Satish Gautam, MLA and former minister Thakur Jaivir Singh, and other legislators.
