Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Nicobar Tribal Concerns on NCST Table Again
The tribal council of the Nicobar Islands is worried about a big project that might affect their ancestral lands and forest rights.
They wrote to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) because they feel their concerns are not being heard.
The project, worth Rs 81,000 crore, includes building a port, a town, an airport, and a power plant.
The tribal council says they don't want the project in their villages or areas used by the Shompen tribe.
They also say the government made false claims about settling their forest rights.
The NCST chairperson says he will look into the matter.
The Nicobar tribal council has raised concerns about the Great Nicobar Island mega project's impact on tribal lands and forest rights.
The tribal council's latest petition to the NCST was prompted by the NCST chairperson's statement that no representations were received regarding the council's withdrawal of no-objection to the project.
The tribal council claims the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration made false claims about the settlement of forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
The Rs 81,000 crore project involves the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land and the denotification of an 84.10 sq km tribal reserve.
The tribal council has categorically stated that they do not want the project in their villages or areas used by the Shompen tribe.
- Who
- Nicobar tribal council and NCST
- What
- Concerns over Great Nicobar Island mega project's impact on tribal lands and forest rights
- When
- December 6, 2025 (letter to NCST), November 26, 2025 (NCST chairperson interview), July 21, 2025 (complaint to Union Minister of Tribal Affairs)
- Where
- Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Why
- To address unanswered grievances and ensure tribal rights are protected
- Project Cost
- Rs 81,000 crore
- Project Area
- 166 sq km
- Forest Land Diversion
- 130 sq km
- Tribal Reserve Denotification
- 84.10 sq km
- Tribal Council Chairman
- Barnabas Manju
- NCST Chairperson
- Antar Singh Arya
- Tribes Affected
- Nicobarese and Shompen
- Key Issue
- Impact on tribal lands and forest rights
