When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
A 57 km road project connecting Campbell Bay to Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar, part of a larger INR 72,000 crore Holistic Development Plan, has gained momentum under ANIIDCO. While aimed at transforming the region into a strategic economic hub with a port, airport, and township, it has sparked concern among tribal rights activists and environmentalists. The Ministry of Environment has mandated a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) focusing on the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes, despite assurances that no settlements will be directly affected. Drawing parallels with the Andaman Trunk Road, experts warn of potential socio-cultural disruption and ecological risks.
The proposed road project intended to connect strategic zones in the Great Nicobar Islands has gained momentum, evoking a mixed response from tribal communities and environmentalists. Led by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), the initiative includes a 57 km-long road extending from Campbell Bay to Galathea Bay, a crucial component of the INR 72,000 crore Holistic Development Plan for the islands. The comprehensive plan also encompasses a transhipment port, airport, power plant, and township aimed at transforming the region into a strategic economic hub.
However, apprehensions are mounting among tribal rights activists and conservationists regarding the potential impact on indigenous tribes. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has directed a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), with a particular focus on the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. Despite official assurances that no tribal settlements will be directly affected, the SIA will scrutinise the proximity of the road to tribal habitats.
Experts have drawn attention to past experiences with the Andaman Trunk Road, which, despite bypassing protected tribal reserves, significantly altered the socio-cultural fabric of the Jarawa tribe by increasing external interaction and accessibility. Environmentalists warn that a similar scenario could unfold in Great Nicobar unless strict safeguards are enforced.
As part of the approval process, the SIA will be assessed by an expert committee established under the Forest Rights Act and the Environment Protection Act. The review will be pivotal in evaluating the cultural ramifications and ecological costs associated with the road development.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023