Great Nicobar Project Concerns Raised

The news article highlights significant concerns regarding the Great Nicobar Island Project, claiming misrepresentation by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration regarding the rights of tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. The following points summarize the key details:

• Announcement of Project: The Great Nicobar Island Project includes a transshipment port, airport, power plant, and township, with an estimated budget of ₹72,000 crore.

• Tribal Council Complaint: The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar raised issues with the Tribal Affairs Minister, Jual Oram, alleging that the administration falsely claimed that tribal rights under the FRA had been “identified and settled.” This misrepresentation was crucial in gaining forest clearances for the project.

• Allegations of Consent: The Council asserts that it has not given its consent for the project, stating that processes for the settlement of forest rights under the FRA had not been initiated. It referred to an August 2022 certificate from the Deputy Commissioner asserting that rights had been settled, which the Council disputes.

• Legal Provisions: The administration claims it operates under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956 (PAT56), allowing diversion of forest land. However, the FRA stipulates that forest land can only be diverted after establishing and settling rights, followed by obtaining consent from the local Gram Sabhas.

• Conflict in Approvals: The article notes that the project has faced controversy, particularly regarding the alleged violation of consent procedures. The National Green Tribunal and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes have raised concerns about the environmental impact and the procurement of consent.

• Community Representation: The Council emphasizes that the consent purportedly obtained was not representative of the Nicobarese people, highlighting specific ancestral villages (Chingenh, In Haeng Loi, Pulo Baha, Kokeon, Pulo Pakka) that would be affected by the project.

• Official Proceedings: Documentation reviewed indicates that a Gram Sabha meeting held on August 12, 2022, purportedly led to a resolution consenting to forest land diversion. A follow-up meeting secured a no-objection certificate on behalf of the Shompen tribespeople, but issues regarding proper representation have been raised.

• Request for Intervention: The Tribal Council has formally requested intervention from the Minister to ensure that the rights, traditions, culture, and forests of the Nicobarese and Shompen tribes are protected. They have also indicated the potential need for further action if their concerns are not addressed.

• Responses and Next Steps: As of August 2025, the Minister of Tribal Affairs had indicated intentions to examine the complaints but had not provided detailed feedback on the specific matters. The Council hopes for acknowledgment of their formal complaints sent in late July.

• Broader Implications: The disputes raise questions regarding the adherence to tribal rights legislation, environmental considerations, and the governance of Indigenous affairs within the context of significant developmental projects.

Overall, the ongoing saga over the Great Nicobar Island Project reflects the tensions between development initiatives and the rights of Indigenous populations, drawing attention to the obligations outlined under the FRA, 2006, and broader constitutional and environmental considerations.