NGT stays felling of coconut trees on Lakshadweep

NGT stays felling of coconut trees on Lakshadweep 

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal has granted an interim stay on the felling of coconut trees on Agatti Island in Lakshadweep to form a beach road. The Tribunal has constituted a committee to find out whether there has been any violation of the Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP)  approved by the Lakshadweep Administration.

About IIMP

• The Integrated Island Management (IIM) a unit of FTR Division would prepare a model framework for an integrated island management plan
• The goal of the IIM is to help ensure the future socio-ecological sustainability of the Indian islands, Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep by preparing an Integrated Island Management Plan. The IIM would undertake scientific approaches, coupled with indigenous knowledge for the better management of the islands and its resources. The IIM would consider the indigenous governance structures and knowledge - particularly in tribal-dominated islands. The islands being pristine areas, this division would undertake long-term historical analysis including monitoring of the oscillations of crucial environmental variables.
• The IIM would develop guidelines for hazard preparedness and evolve climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for the Islands. Some of the major goals are to develop integrated island management / green island economy concept and to explore, in conjunction with island populations, ecotourism development as a particular option. The IIM would provide tools for mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management based on experiences from selected island countries worldwide. The IIM division would undertake specific research to enhance the resilience of the island communities; will help in building regional capacity in risk management, and prepare long-term guidelines for integrated coastal management plans.

About the case

• The applicant, Agatti Island Kera Karshaka Sanghom, moved the Tribunal alleging that the administration was indiscriminately cutting coconut trees for a beach road, which was against the IIMP. 
• The IIMP for Lakshadweep was formulated based on a report submitted by the Supreme Court­appointed Expert Committee, headed by Justice R.V. Raveendran, a former judge of the SC.
• The applicant submitted that due to the large scale cutting of the coconut trees, local residents were not only affected by losing income but also face environmental disaster as the trees on the
• coastline act as a green belt to protect the rest of the island during cyclones and other natural calamities.
• Directing the committee appointed by it to investigate the issue thoroughly and probe any violation, the
• NGT asked the panel to assess the quantum of environmental compensation. The Tribunal said the recovery of the compensation would be from the person responsible for the damage.

Source: The Hindu