Jairam Ramesh Criticizes Environment Minister Over Nicobar Project Queries

Fast Summary

• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Surroundings Minister Bhupender Yadav’s defense of the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar infrastructure project.Ramesh described concerns over ecological and humanitarian impacts not as “negative politics” but as valid apprehensions.

• Ramesh raised questions about violations of the National Forest Policy (1988), ineffective compensatory afforestation plans, lack of consultation with tribal communities, and disregard for key documents in the approval process.

• Endangered species such as leatherback turtles and saltwater crocodiles could face extinction due to forest degradation caused by the project, according to Ramesh.

• The Congress has alleged the project denotifies parts of tribal reserves and threatens displacement for Shompen and Nicobarese communities.

• Sonia Gandhi criticized the project as a “planned misadventure,” asserting risks tied to natural disasters like tsunamis given Great Nicobar’s high seismic activity zone history. She also alleged legal processes were mocked during clearances.

• Bhupender Yadav defended the MeitY ministry’s plan citing strategic importance in maritime connectivity, proposing minimal forest usage (1.78%), a transhipment terminal, an airport, a township over 16 sq km land around container hub + demographics factored.”””

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