Introduction

“The forest is our supermarket,” declares Anice Justin, an anthropologist and long-time resident of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a remote federally-administered territory in India. This archipelago consists of 836 islands, with only 38 inhabited, and serves as a vital source for the livelihoods of its indigenous communities, who depend on the lush forests for sustenance and survival.

The Great Nicobar Project

However, Mr. Justin now watches with concern as India embarks on a massive development initiative on Great Nicobar Island, which is among the largest and most secluded parts of the Nicobar archipelago. Dubbed the "Hong Kong-like project," it promises to invest a staggering 720 billion rupees (approximately $9 billion or £6 billion), transforming the landscape over an area of 166 square kilometers. The ambitious plans include a transshipment harbor, a power plant, a new airport, and a township, all aimed at connecting this remote area to vital global trade routes, particularly through the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal.

Strategic Importance

The strategic position of Great Nicobar near the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes globally, suggests that this project could significantly boost international trade and tourism. Government projections indicate that by the project’s completion in 30 years, the island could house approximately 650,000 residents, bringing unprecedented development to the area.

Concerns of Indigenous Communities

Yet, this vision provokes a wave of anxiety among local islanders, who fear the encroachment on their land and the dilution of their rich cultural heritage. Their concerns are underscored by the potential threat to several indigenous tribes in the region, including the Jarawas, Great Andamanese, North Sentinelese, Onge, and Shompen—many of whom are classified as "particularly vulnerable." The Shompen, a nomadic tribe of about 400 people, are especially at risk of losing their traditional way of life, reliant as they are on a foraged existence deep within the island’s forests.

Impact on Cultural Heritage

Mr. Justin emphasizes, “The loss will be enormous and traumatic for them. The concept of development as we know it holds no value for them; they live in harmony with nature.”

Environmental Concerns

Environmentalists share these worries, highlighting the ecological toll that the project could exert. Great Nicobar Island is predominantly rainforest, encompassing about 80% of its 921 square kilometers, which houses over 1,800 species of animals and 800 species of plants, many of which are unique to the region. While the federal environment ministry claims that only 130 square kilometers will be cleared for construction—which translates to an estimated 964,000 trees—experts caution that this figure could be misleading, as infrastructure development often leads to extensive environmental degradation beyond the initial clearing.

Expert Opinions

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil remarks, “The government always minimizes the forest area that will be cleared, but the resulting infrastructure will inevitably generate pollution that affects the entire habitat.”

Government Reassurances vs. Expert Warnings

Despite reassurances from Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav that the project will not displace any tribespeople and has passed through rigorous environmental scrutiny, skepticism remains. A group of 39 international experts in social sciences warned that the initiative could be a “death sentence” for the Shompen, posing irreversible risks to their habitat.

Historical Context

Mr. Justin expresses a deep-seated worry about the Shompen's future, remarking, “They lack the knowledge and resources to adapt to an industrialized world.” He draws parallels with the Nicobarese, the largest tribal group on the island, who suffered severe displacement after a devastating tsunami struck in 2004. Despite government efforts to resettle the Nicobarese, many now find themselves living in impoverished conditions, employed as manual laborers instead of cultivating their ancestral lands.

Health Risks

Moreover, the project could expose the Shompen to infectious diseases, which present a significant risk to uncontacted peoples who possess little to no immunity. Callum Russell of Survival International notes, “Historically, populations can lose two-thirds of their numbers after contact with outside diseases like flu and measles.”

Conclusion

As India moves forward with this ambitious project, the looming question remains: at what cost will this development come to the island's unique cultures and environments? Is India’s Great Nicobar Project a transformative vision for the future, or a ticking time bomb that threatens to dismantle fragile ecosystems and displace indigenous communities? Only time will reveal the true consequences of this controversial initiative.