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Jairam Ramesh Slams Centre for ‘Bulldozing Ahead’ with Great Nicobar Project Amid Environmental Concerns

News Desk6 months ago6 months ago1955 mins

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the central government for pushing forward with the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Island development project, alleging that it is being executed with “complete disregard for ecological, tribal, and strategic concerns.” In a statement issued on September 15, 2025, Ramesh accused the government of “bulldozing ahead” with the mega infrastructure plan despite mounting opposition from environmentalists, scientists, and civil society groups.

The Great Nicobar project, spearheaded by the NITI Aayog and implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), aims to transform the southernmost tip of India into a strategic and commercial hub. The plan includes a transshipment port, international airport, power plant, and township spread across 166 square kilometers of pristine rainforest and coastal ecosystems.

Jairam Ramesh’s Allegations: Ignoring Due Process and Ecological Red Flags

Ramesh, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Environment, alleged that the government has bypassed scientific assessments and public consultations. He cited the rushed environmental clearance granted in 2023 and the sidelining of expert recommendations from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Allegation by Jairam Ramesh	Details
Environmental Clearance Rushed	Granted in 2023 despite pending studies
Tribal Rights Overlooked	Shompen and Nicobarese communities not consulted
Biodiversity Threatened	130+ endemic species at risk
Strategic Concerns Ignored	Military experts warn of ecological vulnerability

Ramesh also questioned the logic of building a mega port in a tsunami-prone zone, calling it “strategically unsound and ecologically suicidal.”

Project Components: Infrastructure vs Ecology

The Great Nicobar project is envisioned as a multi-modal logistics and tourism hub, with the following key components:

Component	Description	Estimated Cost (₹ crore)
Transshipment Port	Capacity of 14 million TEUs	35,000
International Airport	Dual-use for civilian and military	15,000
Gas and Solar Power Plant	450 MW capacity	5,000
Township and Tourism Zone	Housing for 1 lakh people	17,000
Total Project Cost	—	72,000

The port is expected to rival Singapore and Colombo in transshipment capacity, while the airport will support strategic airlift capabilities.

Environmental Impact: Biodiversity and Tribal Displacement

The island is home to over 130 endemic species, including the Nicobar megapode, leatherback turtles, and saltwater crocodiles. The proposed development will require the felling of over 8.5 lakh trees and the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land.

Environmental Indicator	Impact
Forest Area to Be Cleared	130 sq km
Trees to Be Felled	8.5 lakh
Endemic Species at Risk	130+
Leatherback Turtle Nesting Sites	3 major beaches affected

The Shompen tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), faces displacement and loss of access to traditional forest resources. Critics argue that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) has been violated, as no gram sabha consent was obtained.

Legal and Regulatory Timeline

Milestone	Date	Status
Project Announced	March 2021	Approved by NITI Aayog
Environmental Clearance	October 2023	Granted by MoEFCC
FRA Compliance Review	January 2024	Pending
Supreme Court PIL Filed	April 2024	Under hearing
Jairam Ramesh Statement	September 15, 2025	Public criticism

Multiple PILs have been filed in the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), challenging the legality of the clearances and the lack of tribal consent.

Government’s Defense: Strategic and Economic Imperatives

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and NITI Aayog have defended the project, citing its strategic importance for maritime security and economic growth. Officials argue that the project will create over 1 lakh jobs and position India as a key player in Indo-Pacific logistics.

Government Justification	Explanation
Strategic Location	Proximity to Malacca Strait
Economic Growth	Boost to shipping and tourism
Employment Generation	1 lakh direct and indirect jobs
Disaster Resilience Measures	Tsunami shelters and green buffers

The government claims that compensatory afforestation and biodiversity offsets will mitigate ecological damage.

Expert Opinions: Divided Views on Development vs Conservation

While some economists and strategic analysts support the project, environmental scientists and anthropologists have raised red flags.

Expert Group	Viewpoint
Environmental Scientists	Warn of irreversible damage
Strategic Analysts	Mixed views on location viability
Anthropologists	Concern over tribal displacement
Economists	Support conditional development

The Indian Navy has reportedly expressed reservations about the ecological vulnerability of the site, suggesting alternative locations for strategic installations.

Public Sentiment and Civil Society Mobilization

Civil society groups, including the Nicobar Ecology Forum and the Indigenous Rights Collective, have launched awareness campaigns and petitions. Social media has seen a surge in hashtags like #SaveNicobar and #StopBulldozingNature.

Public Mobilization Effort	Outcome
Online Petitions	1.2 lakh signatures
Social Media Campaigns	Trending hashtags
Local Protests	Peaceful marches in Port Blair
Academic Letters	300+ scientists sign open letter

The movement is gaining traction among youth, environmentalists, and tribal rights activists.

Conclusion: A Project at the Crossroads of Progress and Preservation

As the government pushes ahead with the Great Nicobar project, Jairam Ramesh’s criticism underscores the growing tension between infrastructure development and ecological stewardship. With legal challenges pending and public opposition mounting, the future of the ₹72,000 crore mega project hangs in the balance.

Whether the government recalibrates its approach or continues on its current trajectory will determine not just the fate of Great Nicobar, but also India’s commitment to sustainable development and tribal inclusion.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available government documents, verified news reports, and expert commentary. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or environmental advice. All figures and project details are subject to change based on official updates and judicial review.