In brief
As India sets forth on a multi-billion dollar development project on Great Nicobar Island, fears loom for local tribes and the ecosystem. Anthropologists and environmentalists warn that the project could lead to the extinction of indigenous cultures and harm delicate ecosystems.
The Great Nicobar Island project, initiated by India’s government, aims to create a bustling 'Hong Kong-like' hub, raising alarms about the impact on both local communities and the environment. The project, estimated to cost 720 billion rupees (approximately $9 billion), encompasses a transshipment harbor, power plant, airport, and new township, potentially reshaping the way of life for the island's residents.Anthropologist Anice Justin, who has studied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since 1985, voices concern over the impending threat to the Shompen tribe, one of the island's most isolated indigenous groups. They primarily rely on the forests for survival, yet face existence-altering pressures from the massive development plan designed to increase trade and tourism.Covering 166 square kilometers, the project is strategically located near the Strait of Malacca, a vital shipping route. While officials argue that only a fraction of the forest will be cleared, critics contend that the real figure is likely much larger, potentially threatening endemic wildlife and unique ecosystems.More than 80% of Great Nicobar Island is rainforest, sheltering over 1,800 animal species. The project could jeopardize the habitat of vulnerable species such as the giant leatherback sea turtles and several bird species due to the anticipated pollution from infrastructure development.Experts warn the project may lead to irreversible changes, raising the haunting prospect of indigenous populations suffering like the Nicobarese after past disasters displaced them from their ancestral lands. Additionally, contact with outside industries poses risks of disease to the Shompen, who have no immunity to common illnesses.Despite government assurances that the tribes' cultures will remain intact, Justin and fellow researchers remain skeptical. They believe the project could be a "death sentence" for these tribes and their traditional ways of life, underlining the delicate balance between development and the preservation of indigenous heritage.
