Great Nicobar Project: Ecological and Tribal Rights Concerns Highlight Governance Challenges

Hindustan Times - India · 18 May 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Environment Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns about the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project, citing ecological damage and violations of tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, while questioning its strategic justification.

Key points

Great Nicobar Island Development Project involves a deep-sea transshipment port, dual-use airport, township, and power plant across 16,610 hectares, approved in November 2022, raising ecological and tribal rights concerns.

Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 violations are alleged, with gram sabha meetings showing low turnout (1.83%-14.72%) and tribal consent certificates being contested and later withdrawn.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) like the Shompen are affected, with the project threatening their habitat and cultural heritage despite their protected status.

Strategic Justification is questioned as existing naval infrastructure (INS Baaz, INS Kardip) could be expanded with lower environmental impact, per Ramesh's letter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

[GS3-Environment] The project's ecological impact includes deforestation and disruption of marine ecosystems in a biodiversity hotspot, challenging India's environmental governance commitments.

Legal Challenges include three PILs in Calcutta High Court contesting FRA proceedings and reduction of eco-sensitive zones, with the next hearing scheduled for June 23.

Jarawa Policy 2004 was incorrectly cited by the government as evidence of tribal consultation, despite the Jarawa community not residing on Great Nicobar Island.

[GS2-Governance] The case highlights governance failures in balancing development, environmental conservation, and tribal rights, a recurring theme in UPSC mains questions.

Way Forward: The government should conduct a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment, ensure genuine tribal consent under FRA, and explore less ecologically damaging alternatives for strategic infrastructure expansion.

Key terms

Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006

A landmark legislation recognizing the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and resources. It mandates gram sabha consent for projects affecting tribal lands, crucial for UPSC as it intersects with tribal welfare, environmental governance, and social justice (GS2, GS3).

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

A sub-category of Scheduled Tribes identified by the government as needing special protection due to declining populations and primitive traits. The Shompen of Great Nicobar are one such group, relevant for UPSC's social justice and tribal rights topics (GS2).

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)

A government entity executing the Great Nicobar project, significant for UPSC as it represents the institutional framework for development projects in ecologically sensitive areas (GS3).

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)

Areas around protected ecosystems where regulated activities are permitted to minimize environmental impact. The reduction of ESZs for the Great Nicobar project is contentious, relevant for environmental governance in UPSC (GS3).