Studies in Canarium urceus (Linnaeus, 1758) Part 6: A new Canarium species from the Andaman Sea (Gastropoda: Strombidae) and discussion on related species

This part of the Canarium (Canarium) urceus-complex (Linnaeus, 1758) review after Abbott’s revision (Abbott, 1960) revision examines material from the Andaman Sea. At present, material from that region has been synonymised under the name Canarium (Canarium) urceus (Linnaeus, 1758). Canarium (Canarium) andamanense new species is known from the Andamanian Subprovince, a semi enclosed basin that is centered on the Andaman Sea and enclosed by the west coasts of Myanmar and Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago in the east, to the northern Malacca Strait in the south, and to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the west. This species is recognized and differentiated by solid, sturdy shells with a triangular body whorl, large knobs on the shoulder and bright orange aperture. This study further confirms that there is a high degree of bioregionalisation within the Canarium complex.

Three Decades of Working Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Issues and Challenges

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are the cornerstone of local self government and it provides democratic platform for people's participation at various levels of governance in India. PRIs have been given constitutional status through 73rd Constitutional Amendment in 1992 to make democracy more functional at the local level and driven by citizens needs in addition to with their participation to ensure economic development, strengthen social justice and implementing Central as well as State government welfare schemes including those 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh schedule. In its present form and structure, the PRIs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have completed three decades of existence and well entrenched with the rural life and have brought about major development in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, a lot remains to be done in order to further deepen decentralization and strengthen democracy at the grass root level in the absence of legislature at Union Territory level. Given the general conceptual implication, the present paper seeks to make an in-depth study of issues and challenges encounter by PRIs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in particular. Keywords: Governance, Participation, Gram Sabha, Zilla Parishad.