It's one of the world's most isolated islands. Here come the bulldozers
India’s Great Nicobar Project plans to transform the remote Great Nicobar Island into a tourist and trade hub with infrastructure like airports, ports, and theme parks, displacing indigenous communities and threatening endangered wildlife. Critics argue the project prioritizes economic gains over environmental and cultural preservation, while government officials insist it poses no ecological threat.
India’s Great Nicobar Project aims to develop the isolated Great Nicobar Island into a major transit hub over the next three decades. The plan includes a civilian and military airport, a transshipment port, a power plant, and a new town designed to host up to a million tourists annually. The project will cover an area twice the size of Manhattan, featuring high-rises, entertainment venues, and even theme parks. The island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, has historically been home to around 1,000 indigenous people and is known for its biodiversity, including rare species like the Nicobarese Scops owl and the endangered Nicobarese pigeon. Environmentalists warn that the development will destroy farms, beaches, and forests, leading to the loss of a million trees and harming wildlife such as leatherback turtles. Critics, including scholar Manish Chandi, argue the project reflects a flawed model of development focused solely on economic gains rather than the well-being of local communities. They claim the environmental and cultural costs are being overlooked, with indigenous residents not benefiting directly from the infrastructure. Chandi described the project as an ‘open invitation to disaster,’ threatening natural resources and biological diversity. The Indian government has faced backlash over similar projects, such as a coastal road cutting through mangroves and a Himalayan dam destroying forests. Despite criticism, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav insisted in 2023 that the Great Nicobar Project would not harm tribal groups, wildlife, or the region’s eco-sensitivity. Government officials did not respond to inquiries about potential negative impacts. The project’s urgency is partly tied to geopolitical concerns, with China’s expanding global influence seen as a key factor in India’s push for strategic infrastructure. The development could position Great Nicobar as a critical node for trade and military operations in the Indian Ocean.
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