Relevance: GS III (Environment & Internal Security) & GS I (Tribes) | Source: The Hindu

1. The Context: A “Forced” Surrender?

The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has raised an alarm. They allege that the administration is coercing indigenous communities to sign “Surrender Certificates” for their ancestral lands in Galathea, Pemmaya, and Nanjappa Bays.

  • The Fear: These tribes were displaced from the coast after the 2004 Tsunami. They fear that handing over these lands now will permanently strip them of their heritage and rights without guaranteeing rehabilitation.

2. The Project: The “Hong Kong of India”

Spearheaded by NITI Aayog, this is a massive ₹72,000 crore initiative to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic trade hub. It has four components:

  1. Transshipment Terminal (ICTT): To rival global ports like Singapore and Colombo.
  2. Dual-Use Airport: For both civilian and military aircraft.
  3. Power Plant: A gas-and-solar energy unit.
  4. Greenfield Township: For administration and settlers.

3. Why Here? (The Strategic Logic)

  • The Choke Point: Great Nicobar sits right on the Great Channel (Six Degree Channel).
  • Significance: This channel separates the Nicobar Islands from Sumatra (Indonesia). It is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Controlling it is vital for India to counter China’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

4. The Ecological & Tribal Cost

  • The Turtle Crisis: The project impacts Galathea Bay, which is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the Giant Leatherback Turtle (Vulnerable).
  • The Shompen Risk: The island is home to the Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers living in the interior forests, which are now at risk of fragmentation.

UPSC Value Box

Concept / Term

Relevance for Prelims
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve It comprises two National Parks: Campbell Bay National Park (North) and Galathea National Park (South).
Indira Point The southernmost point of India’s territory, located on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island.
Shompen Tribe A PVTG indigenous to Great Nicobar. Unlike the Nicobarese (who are more assimilated), Shompens are isolated hunter-gatherers.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Great Nicobar Island:

  1. It is the northernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
  2. The Galathea Bay, located on this island, is a major nesting site for the Giant Leatherback Turtle.
  3. The Shompen tribe residing here is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)

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