Plans are on to save Nethrani islands from navy

India’s last Western Ghats archipelago — the Nethrani Islands — is now on the verge of being wiped off from the face of the earth. Thanks to our very own Indian Navy which uses the island for its target practice.

The tough-talking green cop,  additional director general of police (CID forests) KSN Chikkerur, wants to bring about a change. He said, “No more of this outrage. I have come here to represent the law of the land, and I heard horrible things happening on this eco-sensitive area. After seeing its creatures and rain forests,  I am convinced it will be best to preserve the island in its original state. Using it for target practice is the most insensitive thing ever.”

“I will give a report to the secretary of environment and forests about the island’s present condition, with a strong recommendation against using this island for target practice,” he said.

Speaking to DNA on the route aboard the speedboat of  coastal security police, Chikkerur, said “ I have found at least three creatures that demand schedule one type protection  in the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes the white-breasted eagle, olive ridley sea turtles, a number of corals and sea cucumbers — all of which are now being destroyed due to navy shelling. If this is not an environmental disaster, I do not know what else is.”

When asked about the jurisdictional dispute the Navy and the Uttara Kannada district administration have over the Nethrani Islands, Chikkerur said, “I am not concerned with the claims made by the Navy. As per the government records, the Nethrani Islands belong to the administrative jurisdiction of Bhatkal taluk in Uttara Kannada. The Nethrani is located 12.5 nautical miles from the mainland, which makes this island a part of the Bhatkal taluk.”

Dr VN Nayak, director of the regional sub-centre of science, Uttara Kannada, told DNA that there are many sea creatures and one extraordinary bird  —  edible nest Swiftlet — which are gradually becoming extinct. The Nethrani Islands have water-level openings that lead into the interior of the island where a variety of sharks spawn their progeny.  But the interior walls of the openings are showing degeneration due to intense shelling and face the danger of collapse if the shelling does not stop.”

This island is not as isolated as it used be in the past. There are bigger fishing boats and steady flow of foreign tourists who love to do snorkelling and scuba diving.

“Many tourists come as a family as Dolphins are also sighted in these waters. The navy should start looking for some other locations deep in the sea for their war games,” the locals said.