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Amid discussions on the ambitious “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar” project, a senior member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has stated that tribal communities on the island are not opposed to development but lack clear information about the proposed infrastructure plans. The project, which includes a transshipment port, international airport, township, and power plant over 160 sq km, impacts lands inhabited by the Nicobarese and the Shompens, raising concerns about land use, displacement, and the need for informed community participation.

Tribal communities seek development with safeguards

NCST member Asha Lakra, who led a team visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in June, shared that many tribal residents of Great Nicobar, including the Shompens and Nicobarese, are focused on their daily lives and have little awareness about the scale and details of the proposed project. According to Lakra, the tribals expressed their needs for better transport, education, and healthcare while highlighting their desire for employment opportunities and economic upliftment.

Lakra emphasised the need for a stakeholders’ meeting involving educated representatives from the island to discuss the project comprehensively and address concerns. She added that sharing clear and detailed information with the communities would enable them to make informed choices regarding their participation in the development plans while protecting their rights and way of life.

Council raises concerns over procedural lapses

Contrasting the commission’s observations, the Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council claimed it was not invited to key meetings about the project and learned about discussions through local media. The council had previously withdrawn its no-objection certificate for denotifying tribal reserves, citing that critical information was withheld during the approval process. The council expressed concerns over the potential diversion of ancestral village lands and the lack of transparency in the process.

The “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar” project requires the denotification of 84.1 sq km of tribal reserves and the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land, much of which is legally protected and traditionally used by tribal communities. The region, designated largely as a tribal reserve under the Andaman and Nicobar Regulation, 1956, restricts land transfers to protect tribal ownership and use for daily needs.

Lakra noted that the only reported violations of the Forest Rights Act related to non-tribals marrying tribal women and settling on tribal land, leading to de facto control by outsiders, which undermines the spirit of the law meant to protect tribal land rights.

In April 2023, the NCST had issued a notice seeking an action-taken report from the Andaman and Nicobar administration on allegations of constitutional violations and adverse impacts on local tribals due to the proposed mega project. Lakra stated the commission would follow up on whether a response has been received to ensure accountability in the process.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram recently confirmed that the ministry is reviewing objections raised by the tribal communities regarding the project. He noted that the examination includes verifying whether gram sabhas were conducted, their recommendations, and potential violations in the planning and approval processes.

This project highlights the complex balance between advancing national infrastructure goals and safeguarding the rights, lands, and aspirations of tribal communities, reinforcing the need for transparent processes and meaningful participation from local stakeholders as India moves forward with its development agenda.

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