Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has written a letter to Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, terming the ‘Mega Infra Project’ in Great Nicobar Island as a serious threat to the natural ecosystem. He said that all the approvals given to this project should be immediately suspended and it should be implemented only after a thorough and impartial review by the Parliamentary Committee.
What did Jairam Ramesh say?
In his letter, former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should follow its dharma. Ramesh said, ‘The Central Government’s proposed Rs 72,000 crore ‘Mega Infra Project’ in Great Nicobar Island is a serious threat to the tribal communities and natural ecosystem of Great Nicobar Island.’ He claimed that the project could have disastrous ecological and humanitarian consequences. It has been carried out in violation of due process and bypassing legal and constitutional provisions protecting tribal communities.
He said that some parts of the project site reportedly fall under CRZ 1A (turtle nesting sites, mangroves, coral reef areas). There is a ban on construction in this port. He claimed that this project would have a negative impact on the Shompen tribe.
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What is Great Nicobar Project?
This project is to be implemented in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Through this project, there is a plan to develop a place where ships from all over the world can reach. Goods can be imported and exported. Along with setting up a big power plant, various arrangements have to be made. But there is strong opposition to this. The Center argues that this project will strengthen tourism, trade and infrastructure.
But people opposing the project say that due to so much turmoil the way of living of the tribal communities living here will change. Their lives will be affected. Their rights will be taken away. 130 square kilometers of forest may be destroyed. The argument is that the project will have the biggest impact on the sensitive tribal groups here, who remain cut off from the outside world. There will also be a negative impact on the Shompen tribe and their lives.