Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the Rs 810 billion Great Nicobar Island development project would result in large-scale rainforest destruction and adversely affect indigenous tribal communities. Responding firmly to these concerns, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated on Friday that the project is a strategic national initiative aimed at strengthening India’s position in the Indo-Pacific region while significantly reducing dependence on foreign transshipment ports.
Officials highlighted that Great Nicobar Island’s location, approximately 40 nautical miles from one of the world’s busiest East–West international shipping routes, offers a natural logistical advantage for global maritime trade. This positioning, they said, makes it a crucial node for enhancing India’s trade competitiveness and maritime security.
According to the government, the Great Nicobar development plan comprises multiple large-scale infrastructure components designed to enhance connectivity, trade efficiency, energy security, and urban development. The proposed facilities include an international container transshipment terminal, a greenfield international airport designed to handle 4,000 passengers at peak capacity per hour, a 450 MVA hybrid gas and solar power plant, and a modern township spread across more than 16,000 hectares.
The administration has emphasised that the project is not only an economic initiative but also a strategic security measure. By developing a domestic transshipment hub, India seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign ports such as those in Singapore and Sri Lanka, through which a significant share of Indian cargo currently passes.
During his visit, Rahul Gandhi raised serious concerns over deforestation and ecological degradation, warning of potential harm to the island’s fragile ecosystem. In response, the government stated that the project has undergone a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment under existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
Authorities revealed that only 1.82 percent of the total forest cover in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be diverted for the project. While approximately 1.865 million trees fall within the project zone, the actual number proposed for felling is around 711,000 trees, to be executed in phased implementation.
To offset environmental impact, compensatory afforestation has been planned over an area exceeding 97.30 square kilometres, along with designated green conservation zones covering nearly 66 square kilometres on the island. The government has also confirmed the involvement of multiple expert institutions and national research organisations, alongside the formation of three independent monitoring committees tasked with overseeing environmental compliance, biodiversity protection, and community welfare.
Special emphasis has been placed on safeguarding indigenous populations, including the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. The government clarified that no displacement of these communities is planned. It further stated that through re-notification measures, the total designated tribal reserve area is expected to increase, ensuring enhanced protection of indigenous rights and cultural identity. Dedicated oversight mechanisms have also been established to monitor tribal welfare, livelihood protection, and cultural preservation throughout the execution of the project.
The development will be implemented in three distinct phases from 2025 to 2047, covering a total project area of 166.10 square kilometres. Officials stated that this phased approach is designed to ensure continuous environmental monitoring and minimise ecological disruption while allowing steady infrastructure development.
Despite government assurances, the project continues to face criticism from various quarters, including earlier protests and petitions both within India and internationally. Concerns have been raised over alleged deficiencies in environmental assessments, risks of large-scale deforestation, and the island’s vulnerability to seismic activity and tsunamis. These issues have positioned the Great Nicobar project at the centre of an ongoing debate between national development ambitions and ecological as well as social safeguards.
The government, however, maintains that the initiative represents a carefully structured model of development that balances strategic growth with environmental preservation and social responsibility.
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