Archive · 28 Oct 2025
Experts Urge Reconsideration of Great Nicobar Project Citing Concerns
Imagine building a big city on a beautiful island that is home to unique animals and people.
Experts are worried about a project to build a port, airport, and city on Great Nicobar Island.
They believe this project is being presented as for defense, but it's really for business.
They're concerned about cutting down forests, displacing indigenous communities, and potentially harming the environment.
The experts say the island lacks proper infrastructure and this project would cause major harm to the island's unique ecosystem.
They worry the project might not even make money and that it could cause a lot of problems for the people who live there now.
Experts are urging the government to reconsider the Great Nicobar Island project.
The project involves construction of a transhipment port, international airport, township, and power plant.
Signatories claim the project is being wrongly portrayed as strategic, and raise environmental concerns.
They highlight potential ecological damage from forest diversion and displacement of indigenous communities.
Concerns include economic viability, impact on indigenous communities and environmental impact.
- Who
- Over 70 scientists, environmentalists, and former bureaucrats
- What
- Urged the government to reconsider the Great Nicobar Island project.
- When
- October 27
- Where
- Great Nicobar Island
- Why
- Due to ecological and social damage concerns, and questioning its economic viability.
Concerns regarding the Project
Project's Justification (Implied)
Project's Purpose
Concerns regarding the Project
Experts argue that it is a commercial project disguised as strategic.
Project's Justification (Implied)
The government implies the project serves strategic defense purposes.
Economic Viability
Concerns regarding the Project
Experts question the economic rationale and viability of the project.
Project's Justification (Implied)
The government has not provided a view about the economic viability, but implicitly believes it to be sound.
Environmental and Social Impact
Concerns regarding the Project
Experts claim that the project will cause grave and irreversible ecological and social damage.
Project's Justification (Implied)
The government has claimed tribal policies have been fully respected. The project would bring economic development.
- Project Name
- Holistic Development of Great Nicobar
- Project Cost
- Rs 92,000 crore
- Land Area
- More than 160 sq km
- Forest Area
- 130.75 sq km of rainforest to be diverted
- Current Island Population
- About 8,000
- Proposed Township Population
- 3.5 lakh
- Signatories
- Over 70 scientists, environmentalists, and former bureaucrats
