Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep concern over the Great Nicobar Project, calling it a large-scale ecological damage in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
He claimed that the scale of proposed development in the region could result in irreversible environmental loss, including the destruction of pristine forests, coral ecosystems, and displacement of tribal communities.
Gandhi also alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the region and claimed that tribal communities had not been adequately consulted in decision-making processes.
He further criticized the government's justification of the project, saying it was being projected as a defence initiative, but in reality, it was about felling 1.5 crore trees, erasing coral reefs, and displacing soldiers and tribals for the benefit of a businessman.
Gandhi concluded by saying that every young Indian understands that no amount of profit is worth destroying what can never be recovered and that these islands can be the most extraordinary sustainable destination the world has ever seen.
