Rahul Gandhi has drawn attention to the concerns surrounding the Great Nicobar Island Project by sharing an article authored by Sonia Gandhi. This project, a large-scale government initiative, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, power plants, and a new city on Great Nicobar Island. The shared article criticizes the project’s potential adverse effects on the environment and the indigenous communities residing on the island. Rahul Gandhi has stated that the project disregards tribal rights. Sonia Gandhi’s article, published in The Hindu, stresses the potential damage to the unique environment of the island and the vulnerability of the area to natural disasters. She also highlights the significant financial investment of 72,000 crore rupees, emphasizing the threat to the Nicobari tribal communities. The project also poses a severe threat to the Shompen community. The project is eliminating a substantial portion of the Shompen Tribal Reserve, leading to deforestation and an increase in tourism. Rahul Gandhi had previously written to the Union Tribal Affairs Minister, expressing concerns over the project’s approval process and the violation of the Forest Rights Act, urging the government to adhere to the established legal protocols.
