Government Assures No Tribal Displacement In Great Nicobar Project Amid Opposition Concerns

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram assured the Rajya Sabha that the Great Nicobar project will not lead to the displacement of indigenous communities or cause environmental harm, reported PTI.

Addressing concerns raised by opposition members during the question hour, he emphasised the strategic significance of the project and its socio-economic and commercial benefits for the country.

Defending the government's stance, Oram pointed to China's increasing presence in the region, particularly in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota, to justify India’s need to strengthen its own territorial and strategic position.

“This project is very important socio-economically and commercially in the interest of the country,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Opposition leaders, including TMC’s Saket Gokhale and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, questioned the minister on the government’s response to concerns raised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) regarding the impact of environmental and forest clearances on local tribal communities. 

Gokhale also highlighted the vulnerability of the Shompen tribe, which has only 229 members worldwide.

In response, Oram clarified that after the 2004 tsunami, many tribals had voluntarily moved from low-lying areas, and the government’s plans were in line with judicial directives.

He informed the House that a high-powered committee had been established following the NGT’s recommendations and that all work was proceeding in compliance with court orders.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to tribal welfare, Oram stated, “This Narendra Modi government will never go against the tribals. Not even a single tribal is being displaced, and there is no impact on the environment.” 

He further noted that only 7.144 square kilometers of tribal reserve land would be utilised and that the local gram sabha had already approved the project.

Dismissing the opposition’s concerns, the minister maintained that the project is a "win-win situation," bringing economic growth without harming indigenous communities or the environment. 

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