Nicobar Mega Project Faces Allegations of Misrepresentation: Jairam Ramesh

Quick Summary

• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticized the Union government’s ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project, calling it a “maha ecological disaster.”
• The project includes developments such as a transhipment port, an airport, a township, and a power plant on the island.
• Reports suggest that the Andaman and Nicobar administration falsely claimed tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) had been settled when obtaining forest land for the project.
• The Tribal Council in Nicobar Islands has raised objections, stating that forest rights were neither initiated nor consent legally obtained.
• In it’s letter to tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, the Tribal Council accused authorities of bypassing FRA processes by asserting protections under an older law-the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The controversy surrounding the Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project highlights key tensions between fast-paced advancement initiatives and existing ecological and tribal safeguarding frameworks. While proponents may argue this is critical for India’s strategic or economic goals in sensitive regions like Great Nicobar Island, concerns raised about circumvented legal obligations cannot be overlooked. Such projects demand strict adherence to environmental laws and tribal governance norms to ensure sustainable development-and preserve India’s credibility in managing its natural resources responsibly.Balanced engagement with stakeholders may offer pathways toward reconciling developmental priorities with lawful compliance.Read more: Source