Hi,

My name is Aran and I am a 10 year old living in India. I recently came across an article in The Mint that spoke about the Great Nicobar Island project and the Aravalli Safari Project. These are both important ecosystems for our planet and I need your help to get the government to reconsider these projects. 

The Indian government is planning to destroy an ancient rainforest on the Great Nicobar island to make way for an airport, a port and a transshipment project. To “compensate” for this, the government is planning to plant a few trees in the Aravalli mountains, as well as building a safari in that location. However, this safari, instead of having the intended effect, will degrade the Aravalli habitat as it is mostly recreation of exotic locations like coastal zones, aquariums, and fountains. The project in the nicobar will also displace tribals.

Why you should care:

These ecosystems yield great benefits to humans. I am listing the key importance of each of these eco systems below:

Aravalli range

·      It prevents the spread of desertification to eastern Rajasthan

·      It originates major rivers like the Sabarmati and the Luni, which are important resources. Without the trees to hold together the soil, the rivers might change course, which would be disastrous. This could even cause a drought in places where the river used to flow, and floods in the places it goes to.

·      It is a source of groundwater.

·      These hills shield the plains from the impact of western wind blowing from central Asia, which would erode soil which is used for agricultural purposes.

·      Without the Aravalli’s, there would be a lot of air pollution, which is harmful for both human health, and the environment.

The Great Nicobar Island

·      It provides a home for the endangered Shompen tribe. The project will seriously endanger them.

·      The area where the project is planned intrudes on a nesting site of sea turtles. As turtles migrate back to the exact same beach where they were born, this project may wipe out a large population of turtles.

• It is home to many endemic species such as the Nicobar Megapode which are at risk of becoming extinct if this project goes forward. Such species will be lost to the world forever as they are not found anywhere else.

·      Such forests usually contain plants with medicinal properties. If the forest is destroyed, then it along with it plants that may be useful for further medicinal advancements will be destroyed.

• It destroys 12-20 hectares of mangrove forest which could be really dangerous as mangroves are VERY important natural barriers against cyclones. 

·      I would also like to point out that nature has inspired and supplied material for human inventions. Without nature and the resources it provides us with, we could not progress.

• Nature has big significance in culture. In culture we worship and revere it. However, in reality, certain people don’t care about nature.

Please join me in asking the government to reconsider both these projects in view of the negative impact on both humanity & the environment.