Reasons for the opposition to NITI Aayog’s Great Nicobar Development Project

Source: The post reasons for the opposition to NITI Aayog’s Great Nicobar Development Project has been created, based on the article “The NITI Aayog’s project in Great Nicobar” published in “The Hindu” on 25th June 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- economy- infrastructure, and environment conservation

Context: The article discusses opposition to NITI Aayog’s development project in Great Nicobar. Concerns include environmental impact, tribal rights violations, and potential seismic risks. The island, home to endangered species and tribal communities, faces significant ecological and social threats from the project.

For detailed information on Concerns related to the infrastructure project planned for Great Nicobar read this article here

Where is Great Nicobar, and who lives there?

1. Location and Description of Great Nicobar:

1.Great Nicobar is located at the southernmost tip of India, part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

2.The island spans 910 sq km and features lush rainforests, beaches, and diverse wildlife, including the endangered giant leatherback turtle and Nicobar megapode.

1. Communities Living on Great Nicobar:
2. Shompen Tribe: Approximately 250 people, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. They mostly live in the interior forests and are hunter-gatherers.
3. Nicobarese Community: Includes Great Nicobarese and Little Nicobarese, practicing farming and fishing. Post-tsunami, many were resettled in Campbell Bay.
4. Settlers: Around 6,000 people from various Indian states, including retired military servicemen and their families, moved here between 1968 and 1975.

What is the NITI Aayog Project?

NITI Aayog’s Great Nicobar Development plan aims to promote the holistic development of Greater Nicobar. Based on that, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) denotified the entire Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for building port and other related infrastructure.

For more detailed information read this article

Why is there opposition to NITI Aayog’s Great Nicobar Development Project?

1. Ecological Impact: The project requires the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land and the felling of 10 lakh trees. Galathea Bay, a critical nesting site for the giant leatherback turtle, will be affected.
2. Wildlife Concerns: The government denotified Galathea Bay and Megapode wildlife sanctuaries for the project. The giant leatherback turtle and Nicobar megapode, both protected under Indian law, will lose their habitats.
3. Tribal Rights Violations: The project encroaches on the ancestral lands of the Great Nicobarese. The Tribal Council withdrew its no-objection certificate, citing concealed information and rushed consent processes.
4. Health Risks for Shompen: Increased contact with outsiders risks exposing the Shompen tribe to diseases they have no immunity against.
5. Seismic Risks: The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is in a seismically active zone. Researchers criticize the project for lacking adequate earthquake risk assessments.
6. Local Concerns: The Campbell Bay panchayat raised concerns about the social impact assessment for land acquisition.

Question for practice:

Discuss the primary environmental and social concerns raised against NITI Aayog’s development project in Great Nicobar Island.