Congress Raises Alarm on Tribal Displacement & Ecological Risks in Great Nicobar Project

Andaman & Nicobar Islands / New Delhi, September 16, 2025 : On September 16, 2025, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh strongly criticized the Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project, saying it would lead to displacement of tribal communities and cause serious ecological damage in the region. He argued that the environmental impact assessments (EIAs) conducted so far are flawed, rushed, and fail to adequately address the concerns of indigenous tribes including the Shompen and Nicobarese. According to Ramesh, parts of the ecological concerns are being ignored even as the project has been granted clearance. He raised questions over the “terms of reference,” saying that the EIA began before the terms were finalized. A key issue he highlighted is that some tribal reserve areas are to be de-notified, while others are being newly notified — but this does not compensate for the area or the ecological heterogeneity lost. Additionally, there has been criticism that planting trees elsewhere or proposing offset areas in distant locations (like Haryana, as noted by Ramesh) cannot make up for the loss of multi-species, biodiversity-rich forests in Great Nicobar Island. He said that such compensatory schemes are superficial unless they account for local ecosystems and the livelihoods of tribal people. The project is part of a broader plan (Great Nicobar Project) that includes infrastructure such as a container transshipment terminal, international airport, and power plants. While the central government emphasizes its strategic and economic benefits, especially for commerce, trade and defense logistics, local environmentalists and tribal rights groups are warning that current frameworks for consultation and mitigation are insufficient. As of today, the Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, has been called upon to respond to these concerns more fully. Critics say the government needs to ensure that any further clearances or phases include robust data, community consent, and strict environmental safeguards.