India's Great Nicobar Development Plan Sparks Concerns Over Indigenous Tribe's Fate
President Murmu's visit to Great Nicobar highlights the tension between economic ambitions and the survival of the Shompen tribe.
- India's President Droupadi Murmu recently visited Great Nicobar Island, drawing attention to a controversial $9 billion development plan.
- The plan aims to transform the island into a shipping hub and tourist destination, potentially impacting the indigenous Shompen tribe.
- Experts warn that the development could lead to the 'genocide' of the Shompen, who are particularly vulnerable due to their isolated lifestyle.
- Environmentalists and scientists express concerns over the project's impact on the island's unique ecology and the potential destruction of rainforests.
- The Indian government is expected to push ahead with the development, despite international warnings and the potential risks to indigenous communities.