Calls for immediate restoration of livelihood opportunities for local youth
Sri Vijaya Puram, July 28: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has strongly urged the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to take urgent and immediate action for the re-opening of Wandoor Sea Beach, which has remained closed for over eight years, severely impacting tourism and the livelihood of local communities, especially unemployed youth.
In a communication addressed to the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, and copied to Shri Amit Shah Ji, Hon’ble Home Minister of India, the MP highlighted that Wandoor Beach, one of the most picturesque and popular tourist destinations in the Islands, has been shut since 2017 following a crocodile attack incident. Despite assurances that the closure was temporary and safety measures would be implemented, the Administration has failed to take any concrete steps for nearly a decade.
Shri Ray pointed out that no permanent safety infrastructure or preventive mechanisms have been put in place by the Forest or Tourism Departments, nor have any alternative arrangements been made to address the long-pending concerns. This prolonged inaction has caused immense economic hardship to the people of Ferrargunj Tehsil, particularly in and around Wandoor Gram Panchayat, where a large section of the population is dependent on tourism and fisheries.
The MP also noted that, in stark contrast, a similar incident in Swaraj Dweep in 2020 was dealt with effectively and promptly by the concerned departments, enabling the beach there to remain open with appropriate safety measures. However, no such seriousness has been shown in the case of Wandoor, despite repeated representations from PRI members, the Pradhan of Wandoor, and unemployed youth. Therefore, Shri Ray, Hon’ble MP has made the following demands:
1) Immediate re-examination of the Wandoor beach situation in consultation with Forest, Tourism and local stakeholders;
2) Installation of comprehensive safety measures including crocodile monitoring, sea safety nets, trained lifeguards, public awareness signage and emergency response protocols;
3) Re-opening of the beach for regulated tourism and swimming activities at the earliest possible.
The MP stressed that re-opening the Wandoor Sea Beach is not just a tourism issue but a matter of economic survival for hundreds of families who are now burdened with debt and joblessness due to administrative indifference.