Sri Vijaya Puram, June 18 — In a significant move aimed at reinforcing land governance and public accountability, the District Administration of South Andaman has formally reclaimed 20 hectares of government land in Manglutan village, bringing an end to a decade-long dispute involving a private seafood cooperative.
The reclaimed land, falling under Ferrargunj Tehsil, was previously allotted to the Andaman Sea Food Cooperative Society Limited. However, the administration has now officially restored the land to the government’s revenue account, following a detailed inquiry and legal review. A Land Restoration Order issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, has directed that all revenue records be updated to reflect the restoration.
Officials confirmed that the Assistant Settlement Officer, Manglutan Revenue Village, has been tasked with executing the necessary corrections in the land registry. The action underscores the administration’s commitment to recovering public assets and preventing the misuse of state land.
The case had lingered for over a decade, reflecting broader challenges faced by the administration in reconciling past land allotments with current legal frameworks and land use priorities. According to officials familiar with the matter, the cooperative in question had failed to comply with the terms and conditions stipulated at the time of allotment. In the absence of substantive progress on the intended seafood-related activity, the government initiated a review of the allotment.
This development comes amid increasing scrutiny of land usage and encroachment in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where land is both environmentally sensitive and strategically vital. The administration under the current Deputy Commissioner has adopted a more assertive approach to land restoration, especially in cases where earlier allotments have remained idle, violated zoning norms, or failed to contribute to the local economy.
Manglutan, a semi-rural settlement located roughly 25 km from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair), has seen a mix of agricultural and small-scale industrial land allotments over the years. The return of 20 hectares to the government’s control opens up potential for alternative public uses—ranging from infrastructure to livelihood-linked initiatives—although no immediate redevelopment plans have been announced.
Government officials have indicated that the restoration order sets a precedent for similar reviews across South Andaman, particularly in cases where cooperatives or private entities have not fulfilled their obligations under government leases.
The District Administration has reiterated its stance that all land allotted for developmental or cooperative purposes must be utilised within the legal and operational frameworks agreed upon at the time of allocation.
