Terms the Project as Hasty, Ill-Conceived Initiative that May Result in Major Natural and Human Disaster
Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 18: In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. TSG. Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee, Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has raised grave concerns regarding the proposed Great Nicobar Island Development Project. The letter, also marked to senior government dignitaries including the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and key union ministers, urges an immediate halt and reconsideration of the project in light of its potentially irreversible impacts.
Mr. Bhasker has criticised the project as being a hasty, ill-conceived initiative that may result in a major natural and human disaster. He warns that the project, despite being touted as a leap in investment and infrastructure, is being pursued without adequate scientific scrutiny or ethical consideration, especially concerning the native tribal communities of the island.
Central to his opposition is the claim that the project endangers the lives and livelihoods of the indigenous people, particularly the Shompen tribes – a nomadic hunter-gatherer community who have lived in harmony with the island’s ecosystem for generations. He alleges that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the Tribal Council was obtained without full disclosure and does not represent the Shompen tribes, who were not included in the consultation process. He further warned that the project could lead to the extinction of this vulnerable tribe.
Ecological and environmental concerns were raised with equal urgency. The proposed development covers an enormous landmass in a region classified as a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, home to rare and endangered species such as Leatherback turtles, Saltwater Crocodiles, the Nicobar Long-Tailed Macaque, and the Nicobar Tree Shrew. Mr. Bhasker argued that the ecological footprint of the project could lead to catastrophic biodiversity loss and long-term environmental degradation.
Particularly alarming is the project’s location in a highly seismic zone. The region has a documented history of massive earthquakes and tsunamis occurring every 50–60 years. According to Mr. Bhasker, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report lacks a thorough, scientific disaster risk evaluation. He warned that any future seismic activity could devastate the infrastructure, leading not only to financial ruin but to environmental fallout from debris, oil spills, and chemical leaks that would permanently scar the ecosystem.
He also raised serious doubts about the enumeration and felling of trees, claiming that the officially stated number of 10 lakh trees is misleading and will likely be surpassed once the project commences. The idea of replanting trees in Haryana as a mitigation measure was described as “laughable”, lacking scientific merit and regional ecological relevance.
Another key point raised was the composition of the High-Powered Committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal to assess environmental concerns. Mr. Bhasker pointed out that the committee lacks representation from independent environmentalists or NGOs, which he claims compromises its objectivity, given that most members belong to the very ministries that approved the project.
Strategically, the letter proposes a more sustainable alternative—expanding the existing Navy airstrip for defence and regional security purposes instead of constructing a new greenfield airport and settlement from scratch. The current population of the islands is around 4.5 to 5 lakhs, and Mr. Bhasker criticized the administration for failing to provide even basic services like healthcare, water, roads, and education. He questioned the wisdom of planning a satellite city to accommodate another 4 lakh people when the needs of the existing residents remain unfulfilled.
He also raised concerns about apparent discrepancies in land acquisition policies. While land rates in remote areas like Hut Bay are fixed at ₹1000 per square metre, the circle rates in Campbell Bay—the site of the proposed project—have been set as low as ₹113–₹180 per square metre. This, he argues, indicates possible undervaluation and manipulation intended to acquire land cheaply.
The destruction of coral reefs and mangroves—critical to marine biodiversity and coastal protection—is another point of contention. Mr. Bhasker questioned the scientific basis of coral transplantation plans presented by ANIIDCO and raised serious doubts about the agency’s technical qualifications and legitimacy in handling such an ecologically sensitive mega-project.
In conclusion, Mr. Bhasker has urged the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to immediately review the strategic, tribal, ecological, and geological implications of the Great Nicobar Development Project. He has warned that once initiated, the project’s negative impacts may be irreversible, making it imperative that the administration rethink its direction for the sake of the nation’s natural and cultural heritage.