What's new

Natarajan's 'no' to missile firing range in Andamans

Bhai Zakir

BANNED
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Messages
2,371
Reaction score
-1
Country
India
Location
India
Natarajan's 'no' to missile firing range in Andamans

New Delhi: The environment ministry has rejected an Indian Navy proposal to test fire missiles at the Tillanchong sanctuary in the Andaman and Nicobar islands as a firing range would destroy the habitat of the Nicobar megapode, an endangered bird species.

"The matter came up during the meeting of the National Board for Wildlife last month and many non-official members raised concerns about it. I decided yesterday (Thursday) that the range should not come in that area," Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters here Friday.

She said it was a very tough decision as there was lot of pressure from the defence ministry to clear the project.

"It was a very difficult decision to reject the proposal as it involves security and missile range is important for the country's defence. But as environment minister it is my mandate to make sure that wildlife, flora and fauna of our country are protected and I should stay with it," she said.

The navy has reportedly sought permission for temporary use of the ecologically sensitive forest land on the island for missile testing.

It also wants to put up a temporary structure as a target for testing the accuracy of missiles fired from submarines. The test firing is proposed to be carried out once every year for duration of seven to 10 days.

The wildlife board in its meeting last month had also turned a proposal from the Indian Coastguard to divert forest land at the Narcondam Islands in the Andaman Sea to install a coastal surveillance radar.

According to ministry, the project will adversely affect the life of the endangered Narcondam hornbill, endemic to the island.

Natarajan`s `no` to missile firing range in Andamans

Env Min shoots down Navy move on firing range in A&N Island | Business Standard

In India everything comes first then the security and defense:hitwall:

This same ministry is not giving clearance to the several defense projects like border roads etc. :tdown:

First the silly politicians will derail the project and ignore the defense then they will afraid of taking strong decision against china because of the weak defense capabilities they have created. :rolleyes:
 
. .
at least people have some say in governance here , there is a reason why countries change from communist to democracy not the other war round
 
. . .
Surprising indeed. Ballistic missiles are already deployed in Andmans.
 
.
Surprising indeed. Ballistic missiles are already deployed in Andmans.

Yes. But, Navy wants missile test range in Nicobar Island not Andaman.

@topic: It's a very correct decision by Environment Ministry. Nicobar Megapode is an endangered bird FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD EXCEPT NICOBAR. Navy can easily find other island for its test range in Andaman as there are over 300 islands in Andaman. We have NO RIGHT TO KILL THIS BIRD in the name of defence project

megapode_jayanti_sot.jpg
 
. .
Ok. Navy should find another test range. Isnt there any chart availbe which specify such things. So Navy would not run into another DANGER area
 
. .
IMO Dhanushkodi island , TN is a best option for such test but its very close to SL.
 
.
India is a massive country, navy can always find another range.
 
.
there are hundreds of islands . the navy can surly find another . good decision.
 
. .
So happy to see that mother nature which is very important part of the Hindu religion is protected. At least some good outcome because of religion for once. There is no doubt that psyche of Indians towards environment conciseness is also driven because of hindusim. There are alternatives and they will find one... here in the US the biggest base that is being motivated towards checking climate change are the pastors at various churches.
 
.
Back
Top Bottom