130 Hectares of Tribal Land Diverted for Great Nicobar Mega-Project

The Union Environment Ministry has informed the Rajya Sabha that 130.4 hectares of tribal reserve land on Great Nicobar Island (GNI) will be diverted for the Trunk Infrastructure Road project. In total, 238.76 hectares of land will be diverted, comprising government revenue land (39.23 ha), private land (39.86 ha), deemed forest (10.62 ha), and protected forest (149.05 ha).

This road project is a crucial part of the Rs 81,800 crore Great Nicobar Holistic Development Plan, which also includes the development of an international container terminal, airport, power plant, and township. The arterial road aims to enhance connectivity, generate employment, and drive overall development across GNI.

According to the draft Social Impact Assessment, the indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese tribes have given their consent, and their traditional lifestyles are expected to remain unaffected, although anthropologists have expressed concerns. During Phase-1, the Forest Department estimates that 12,428 trees will be cut down.

Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh stressed that the diversion of forest land must adhere to legal safeguards, including the protection of tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act. To oversee the project’s impact, three committees will be formed to monitor tribal welfare, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.