Nicobar Tribes Resist Land Surrender for Development

Tribal council members from the Nicobar Islands have voiced strong opposition to surrendering ancestral villages for the Great Nicobar Holistic Development project. This massive undertaking includes plans for an international container transshipment terminal, an airport, a power plant, and a township, requiring over 166 sqkm of land. A significant portion of this land, 84.10 sqkm, is tribal land, with a substantial part of it slated for denotification and diversion.

In a meeting with reporters on Thursday, tribal leaders stated they were verbally instructed to issue a "surrender certificate" for these villages. They emphasized that these lands are integral to their cultural identity, supporting agriculture, fishing, and traditional festivals. The council previously withdrew its no-objection certificate in August 2022, citing a lack of proper notification that the development area included pre-tsunami villages. The indigenous communities, particularly the Nicobarese, have historical ties to these lands, many of which were affected by the 2004 tsunami and subsequent resettlement efforts.

The administration claims to be investigating the January 7 meeting referenced by the tribal council. Meanwhile, tribal representatives highlighted that the Forest Rights Act has not yet been implemented in the region, limiting their access to traditional lands under legal frameworks. The project's estimated cost is ₹81,800 crore, with concerns growing over the potential impact on tribal rights and the environment.