Capturing and nurturing the coastal beauty

Inauguration of the photo exhibition on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands titled 'Island Worlds... of land & sea' and release of the book 'Last Wave' by writer and photographer Pankaj Sekhsaria was held on October 29 at Carpe Diem, Majorda.

Environmentalist and writer Rajendra Kerkar along with waste management expert Clinton Vaz released the book. The book was initially released two years ago; however, it was now released formally in Goa.

'The Last Wave' is the writer's debut novel. It is linked to the experiences in the islands and includes the description of the ecology, history and people residing at the place.

Following the book release, Pankaj spoke about his experiences as an activist at Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He said, "I have been working in the islands as an activist for a very long time. We took the matter to the court in 1998 regarding the disruption of the forests, issues related to the indigenous community and the coastline. Between 1998 and 2002 we as activists received considerable success as the Supreme Court passed an interesting set of orders in 2002 that we believed were in favour of saving the environment and the indigenous community. However, as it happens in India often, the orders by the Supreme Court were not implemented. Since 2002 to now 2016, there are some orders that are left unimplemented and the conflict occurs as to the reason behind why they are not implemented."

Pankaj said that the book, 'Last Wave' revolves around the place and the indigenous community and the conflicts it face. "The book is about the island, its ecology, the community, their conflicts but is trying a new genre that can reach out to a different set of people or reach out differently to the same set of people. It also includes that disappointment of failure of implementation of the court orders," he said.

Following the presentation of his photographs of the island, there was a panel discussion with Clinton Vaz and Rajendra Kerkar who shared their experiences as activists. Clinton Vaz said that Andaman and Nicobar Islands are similar to Goa in terms of coastline and ecosystem.

While Rajendra Kerkar said, "I am born in a place where there is west coast on one side and Western Ghat on the other. My grandfather, my father struggled for the liberation of Goa, and now I am struggling for tigers, Tigers may be just an animal but it is at the lead, at the climax of the food chain. Moreover, the extinction of tigers in Goa can lead to extinction of Goa as it is a small state." He further added about the importance of conservation of forests and its wild animals in Goa.

After the panel discussion, the photo exhibition was inaugurated. Organiser of the event, Rahul Chandawarkar stated that the photos clicked by Pankaj Sekhsaria during his visits and stay at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are interestingly mounted on the silk.