By Shradha M | Sri Vijaya Puram, May 24
In a tucked-away corner of South Andaman where buffaloes roam free and mobile signals fear commitment, Stewartgunj Gram Panchayat has done something refreshingly rare: it cleaned up, greened up, and leveled up.
Now, this isn’t your usual tale of dusty files and never-ending meetings. This is more Panchayat-meets-Swachh Bharat, a quietly unfolding success story with a lot of heart, a bit of jugaad, and plenty of coastal charm.
Presiding over three villages, the Stewartgunj Panchayat has been on a quiet yet determined mission to improve sanitation, promote eco-conscious behaviour, and revive public spaces. “Our journey began with small, steady steps, alternate-day door-to-door garbage collection, regular clearing of roadside vegetation, and monthly drainage maintenance,” said Pradhan MK Hussain in a conversation with The Wave Andaman. “These initiatives have not only kept our villages clean but also encouraged residents to take pride in their environment.”
Not long ago, the villages were grappling with the classic rural triple threat: overgrown bushes, rogue garbage piles, and that one uncle who insisted open burning was a tradition. “There were no alternatives,” said Lilly, a resident. “But now, with regular garbage collection and visibly cleaner surroundings, life feels far more organized and livable.”
The collected waste is no longer left to play peekaboo with goats by the roadside. It’s systematically hauled off to the Kaalatang dumping ground, where it’s sorted, squashed into neat little cubes, and shipped off to the mainland, a long way from the old days of ‘burn it or bury it’.
But if there’s one thing that’s got both migratory birds and snack-hunting locals flocking in, it’s the spectacular makeover of Stewartgunj’s seashore. What was once a neglected, garbage-strewn patch is now a peaceful hotspot for sunsets, selfies, and samosas. Over an 18-month clean-up drive, the coastline has transformed into a community magnet.
“This transformation has been one of our biggest achievements,” said Pradhan Hussain. “The area, once ignored and garbage-strewn, is now a vibrant spot visited by thousands each evening. People come for the sunset, the peace, and of course, the food.”
And food, there is. Rows of evening stalls now line the coast, dishing out everything from hot chai to local delicacies. One such stall belongs to Rahim, whose culinary journey began thanks to this coastal revival. “This initiative gave me a livelihood. Business is growing every week as more people come here,” he said.
Of course, the Panchayat isn’t letting all the fun undo the eco-work. A seawall is on the cards to keep the food court and the water body at a respectful distance, protecting marine life while preserving the vibe. The Forest Department pitched in too, installing benches for visitors to sit, snack, or just soak in the breeze.
And wait, there’s more. Stewartgunj now has aspirations of becoming the Marina Park of the southern coast. “We want to blend tourism, environment, and employment, without compromising the natural charm of the place,” said Pradhan Hussain, inspired by the city-style coastal setup of Shri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair.
The sentiment among residents? Upbeat, united, and surprisingly poetic. Stewartgunj, once a sleepy patch juggling sanitation struggles and job scarcity, is now a case study in what solid local leadership and community effort can achieve. As this small coastal panchayat continues to reinvent itself, it sends out a larger message across the islands: sustainable development doesn’t always need big budgets — it needs vision, persistence, and people who care.
And as one resident might say while munching on some coastal pakoras, “The More the merrier.”
