Great Nicobar project must be implemented in consultation with local tribals: Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram supports the Great Nicobar project, but advocates for its implementation in consultation with local tribal communities to protect their interests and the region's ecology.

Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram president Satyendra Singh has said the Great Nicobar project is important from the national security point of view and it should be implemented in consultation with local tribal communities so that their interests are also protected alongside the region's ecology.

''So both objectives are important -- these tribal communities should be preserved and protected, and the border region should also remain secure. Therefore, the government should move ahead with the project in consultation with local communities and implement the development plan carefully and responsibly,'' Singh said in an exclusive interview with PTI Videos.

''Therefore, if the government is undertaking this project, then it should genuinely ensure environmental protection and tribal welfare,'' he added.

Asked about concerns raised by environmentalists and opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, over the environmental impact of the project, the president of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, an RSS-affiliate, said they are ''not entirely wrong''.

''They are correct that there will be environmental risks,'' he said, while stressing that the region also holds major strategic importance for India.

Singh also referred to sensitive tribal groups, such as the Shompen, Jarawa and Sentinelese communities, saying they prefer limited contact with mainstream society and should remain protected.

''These highly-sensitive communities do not want extensive interaction with mainstream modern society, but they are also part of India and should remain protected,'' he said.

On concerns over displacement of indigenous communities, Singh acknowledged that tribal ancestral land will inevitably be affected and said proper compensation and rehabilitation measures will be necessary.

''Naturally, land will be affected. Some displacement is inevitable. A balance will have to be maintained. The tribal communities there have ancestral land, so they must be compensated in some form. The exact same land may not be replaceable, but they should be given support and opportunities of a comparable standard so they can move forward in life,'' he said.

Citing news reports, he said the Centre is planning to develop a major port, an international airport and township infrastructure in the area under a project estimated to cost between Rs 72,000 crore and Rs 92,000 crore, with completion targeted by 2047.

''The maritime route in that region is extremely important strategically. If the country has to remain secure, then border areas and maritime zones also need to be properly secured.

''At present, India depends significantly on countries like Sri Lanka and Singapore for maritime and logistical support in that area. Therefore, the government has planned to develop a very large port there, along with an international-level airport and possibly, a township and related infrastructure. The government must ensure that environmental safeguards are implemented effectively,'' Singh said.

''At the same time, the government has also said environmental-protection measures will be implemented. Plans reportedly include creating multiple corridors so that wildlife is not endangered and trees and vegetation are protected. Efforts are being made to create infrastructure that minimises ecological damage. But saying such things is easy, implementing them is much more difficult,'' he added.

Gandhi has alleged that the Great Nicobar project at the Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is ''one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country''.

The Congress leader has also claimed that the project would involve the felling of millions of trees across 160 sq. km of rainforest, describing it as ''destruction dressed in development's language'', and said he will raise the issue in Parliament.