NCST Member Flags Tribal Unawareness on ₹72K Crore Great Nicobar Project
Amid the push for a multi-billion infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, tribal communities have expressed concern over not being fully informed. While supportive of development, they reportedly lack clarity about the mega plan’s impact. Experts now stress the urgent need for transparent dialogue with all stakeholders before moving forward with projects affecting one of India’s most ecologically and culturally sensitive tribal regions.
A holistic development project spanning a transshipment port, airport, township, and power plant is planned over 160 sq. km in Great Nicobar. This includes large areas of tribal and forest land. Though tribal groups like the Nicobarese and Shompens are not opposed to progress, they reportedly lack awareness about the project’s details. Concerns are mounting that key information was not properly communicated during early planning stages and consultations.
Statutory tribal councils and residents have raised objections, citing insufficient participation in decision-making processes. Some community representatives claim they were neither invited to stakeholder meetings nor informed about the denotification of forest areas, including pre-tsunami ancestral villages. Requests have been made for more transportation access, education, healthcare, and job opportunities—rather than displacement. Observers emphasise that tribal consent must be based on full awareness, not incomplete information.
The proposed project may intersect with existing tribal rights frameworks. A major concern raised involves misuse of the Forest Rights Act, where outsiders gain land access through marital ties. Experts argue such loopholes risk displacing local populations. The island, over 90% of which is designated tribal reserve, legally prohibits land transfer or sale. Environmentalists and rights advocates warn that bypassing consent procedures could invite legal and ethical scrutiny.
Calls are growing for a formal review of whether gram sabhas were conducted and their recommendations considered. The regulatory body responsible for tribal welfare has issued notices in the past regarding potential constitutional and rights violations linked to the project. Officials stress the need to verify due process and address community objections. Advocates maintain that development must proceed with transparency and genuine participation from those most affected.
As the Great Nicobar project progresses, the need for transparent, informed consultation with indigenous communities grows increasingly urgent. While not against progress, tribal residents seek clarity, inclusion, and respect for their rights. Experts caution that development disconnected from community input risks long-term cultural and environmental damage. A balanced, participatory approach is essential for sustainable transformation in this ecologically and socially vital region.
