Great Nicobar Island Project
Recently the Tribal Council has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the controversial Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project.
The GNI project has been prepared by NITI Aayog for the overall development of Great Nicobar Island.
This includes the following developments:
- An International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT),
- A military-civilian dual-use airport,
- A solar power plant, and an integrated township.
As per some reports, the Tribal Council has withdrawn the NOC due to the following reasons:
- The project will block access of the Shompen and Great Nicobarese tribes to their ancestral lands, where they lived before the 2004 tsunami disaster.
- The Shompen tribe stays in this area seasonally and periodically to collect fodder and minor forest produce.
- The Shompen tribe is a particularly vulnerable tribal group.
Other concerns raised against the project
- Coral reefs and mangroves will be affected due to the loss of tree cover. This will increase runoff and sediment deposition in the sea.
- Large scale deforestation will pose a threat to many wildlife species.
- Like- leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapod, Nicobar macaque and salt water crocodile etc.
- There is a lack of transparency in granting forest clearances and procedural contradictions also exist. For example delisting the Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to provide space for the port.
- Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a stay on the project. Also, a committee has been constituted to re-look at the environment clearance granted.
Tribal Council:
- It is traditionally an elected body that looks after the welfare of the local people.
- It is elected by the head of the village council. These heads are elected democratically by the residents of the village or hamlet.
Source – Hindustan Times
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