Port Blair opposes twinning plan with Phuket

prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's recent announcement in Bangkok that Andaman and Nicobar Islands' capital Port Blair would be twinned with Thailand's tourist haven Phuket was greeted by protests in the union territory (ut). It is apprehended that any association with Phuket, which is said to be a sex tourism hotspot, would dent Port Blair's image and affect it adversely.

Residents and civil society groups of the Andamans are also upset because the ut administration did not take them into confidence before taking the decision. On October 17, non-governmental organisation (ngo) Island Sangathan Manch organised a meeting in the capital and officially opposed the proposal. Asserting that sex trade is thriving in Phuket, Sangathan chairperson Madhukrishna told Down To Earth : "For Port Blair, this arrangement will only mean more aids cases. '

The Port Blair Municipal Council had earlier this year passed a unanimous resolution supporting the administration's initiative. But the idea of a closer relationship with Phuket took root in 1993. At that time, objection raised by the people led to the plan being dropped. Samir Acharya, secretary, Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology (sane), a local ngo, feels the situation has not changed much since then. John Lobo, president of ngo Local Born Association, remarks: "This link will shatter our peace, and destroy our culture.'

But the Andaman and Nicobar administration disagrees. According to the ut's officials, the move is meant to strengthen ties between Port Blair and Phuket in the fields of tourism, education and culture, urban development, solid waste management, and commerce and investment. K Mahesh, an official who played a key role in the matter, draws a parallel: "A similar relationship exists between the city of Vigan in the Philippines and Goa's capital Panaji.' Mahesh is also of the view that the step will not promote sex tourism in the Andamans since "we have our own laws to prevent this from happening'.

The industry, too, is upbeat. Mohammed Jadwet, president, Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, claims that tourist inflow will increase in a big way. Not only will this boost the ut's revenue, it would also generate employment, avers Jadwet.

Subhasis Ray of voluntary organisation Healthy Environment by Less Pollution (help) counters: "The ut administration's emphasis has always been on low-volume, high-value tourism. Then why is it suddenly wanting to refashion its tourism policy on the lines of Phuket's?' Ray points out: "Instead, we must take the cue from Bhutan which relies on ecotourism.'