The Great Nicobar Project: A Conflict Between Development, Tribal Rights, and Environmental Governance
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Key Legislations - Forest Rights Act, 2006); Environment (Protected Areas, Biosphere Reserves); Geography (Andaman & Nicobar Islands); Social Justice (Tribal Rights).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1: Social empowerment, Diversity of India.
General Studies Paper 2: Welfare schemes and laws for vulnerable sections; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment; Infrastructure.
Key Highlights from the News
Serious allegations have emerged regarding the forest clearance for the Great Nicobar Island Project, a massive 72,000 crore rupee project in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Tribal Council of Nicobar alleges that the Andaman & Nicobar administration provided a false certificate to the central government, stating that tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, were granted.
According to FRA, before forest land is diverted for other purposes, it is mandatory to recognize tribal rights and obtain the consent of the concerned Gram Sabha (village assembly).
However, the Tribal Council's complaint to the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs states that procedures for determining their rights haven't even begun, and they have not given consent for the project.
There are suspicions that the administration is exploiting the legal confusion between FRA, 2006, and the older law, the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956 (PAT56). Under PAT56, the Administrator has the authority to divert land without the Gram Sabha's permission.
There are significant concerns that this project will destroy over 13,000 hectares of protected forest land and adversely affect vulnerable tribal groups.
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