Overview
- An open letter from over 70 scientists, environmentalists and former officials asks the environment minister to reconsider the project, calling it an exploitative commercial proposal miscast as a strategic initiative.
- The signatories say only the airport was later designated dual-use, while the transhipment port, power plant and a vast township make up the bulk of the more than 160 sq. km proposal.
- They warn of severe ecological and social harm, citing diversion of roughly 15% of Great Nicobar’s forests, potential felling of about a million rainforest trees, and a township for 350,000 people on an island with about 8,000 residents.
- The letter alleges violations of the Forest Rights Act, ANPAT Regulation and the Shompen Policy, notes the denotification of Galathea Wildlife Sanctuary without local consultation, and flags conflicts of interest in environmental appraisals.
- Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that the project will multiply maritime trade drew a sharp response from the Congress, even as Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has defended the scheme as one of strategic and national importance.