Chennai: How many of us know Andaman and Nicobar Islands beyond the cellular jail? The fact that history of the island before the British era remains oblivious to many has prompted researcher and veteran ANI-specialised activist Pankaj Sekhsaria to sensitise people through lively pictures.
A crawling cab, a cluster of breathing roots, a serene cave and spectacular tropical rain forests. Pankaj possesses an array of ecologically rich pictures from the island, which he chronicled in the past 20 years, besides printing them on silk.
They explain the wide biodiversity of the island, besides subtly showcasing the challenges faced by the union territory.
Pankaj Sekhsaria’s pictures of Andaman and Nicobar capturing the ecological beauty of the islands that were printed on silk fabric.
Pankaj explained to DC about the interrelationship with the Island, endemism and certain ecologically fragile aspects.
The major challenge in the Island, he says, is to comprehend the ecology and plan according to it. “As this region is tectonically very active, developmental activities need to be taken up with special care,” he explained.
Pankaj Sekhsaria’s pictures of Andaman and Nicobar capturing the ecological beauty of the islands that were printed on silk fabric.
The destruction levels and ecologically fragile aspects of the islands are different in many ways from a metropolitan city, like Chennai.
“Every place has certain geological and geographical aspects which cannot be interfered. Any sort of disturbance affects not just the environment, but also the civilians,” he said talking about losses during Chennai floods.
Pankaj Sekhsaria’s pictures of Andaman and Nicobar capturing the ecological beauty of the islands that were printed on silk fabric.
“Many species of flora and fauna restricted to a particular landscape like in the islands are particularly threatened on account of increasing human activity and development,” he said.
“It is a home to seven indigenous tribes who has been living there for more than 1000 years. There are also birds specific to the island,” he said.
The exhibition is an effort to talk about the island and to bring the multiple hidden layers of the story.
In an ending note, Pankaj said the locals are not sensitised about the environmental degradation. “Challenges along with rich biodiversity should be included in educational curriculum to create awareness.”
The exhibition is from September 2 to September 6 at the folly, Amethyst, Royapettah. Pankaj can be reached at psekhsaria@gmail.com.
