Great Nicobar Project and the Shompen Tribe

Context
Tribal representatives have raised concerns over the impact of the ₹91,000 crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) development project on the isolated Shompen community. Concerns centre on the potential disruption of their traditional way of life, habitat and cultural autonomy due to large scale infrastructure development, including a proposed power plant near Shompen settlements.

Key Highlights

• The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar alleged that concerns raised during a July 16 meeting were not adequately reflected in subsequent official directions.
• The Shompen are a small hunter gatherer Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) with fewer than 300 members.
• The GNI project envisages a transshipment port, international airport, township and power plant around Galathea Bay.
• The government has maintained that the project will not disturb or displace the Shompen community.
• The project is strategically important because of Great Nicobar’s location near the Malacca Strait and its potential role in India’s maritime and economic strategy.

Key Concepts

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG): Tribal communities facing high socio economic vulnerability, often characterised by small or declining populations, traditional livelihoods and limited access to modern infrastructure. The Shompen and Great Andamanese are among India’s PVTGs.
• Great Nicobar Island Project: A large-scale infrastructure and port-led development project planned on an ecologically sensitive and biodiversity rich island with significant strategic importance.
• Galathea Bay: An important leatherback sea turtle nesting site and the proposed location of the transshipment port.
• FRA & PESA: Legal frameworks aimed at protecting the rights, livelihoods, habitat and participation of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.

Way Forward

• Ensure genuine, free, prior and informed consultation/consent and protect the Shompen community’s autonomy, habitat and traditional way of life.
• Conduct independent environmental and social-impact assessments with strong mitigation and monitoring safeguards.
• Protect critical ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs and leatherback turtle nesting habitats.
• Balance the project’s strategic and economic objectives with the need to prevent irreversible ecological and cultural losses.