Forest Rights and the Great Nicobar Mega-Project: The case before the Calcutta High Court
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500+ questions on Environment with explanations
📌 Summary:
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On 8 May 2026, Calcutta HC’s Port Blair circuit bench admitted a PIL by former Union Secretary Meena Gupta alleging Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 violations and lack of tribal consent for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project
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Court overruled Union Government & A&N Administration’s objections to maintainability; also admitted matters on reduction of buffer zones of Galathea National Park & Campbell Bay National Park
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GNI project (Rs 81,000 crore) includes: integrated township + transshipment container port + solar & gas-based power plant + greenfield dual-use military-civilian airport
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FRA mandate: forest land diversion must be preceded by settlement of forest rights claims; recognises pre-existing rights of Scheduled Tribes (Nicobarese, Shompen) and other forest dwellers (3+ generations) — habitation, cultivation, grazing, fishing, minor forest produce, conservation, management, customary rights
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Alleged procedural violations: Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) — which examines Gram Sabha resolutions — did not have legally required composition; 2 of 3 SDLC members must be ST including one woman, but the constituted SDLC had only one Nicobarese member
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Wider concerns: Galathea Bay is critical nesting site for Leatherback turtles; project area falls within Shompen reserve; PVTG consent issues; ecological risks to coral reefs & rainforest
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Environment & Biodiversity; EIA; tribal rights; coastal-island ecosystems; sustainable development trade-offs
📝 Prelims Facts:
- Calcutta HC has Port Blair circuit bench for A&N Islands
- FRA, 2006: recognises rights of STs & forest dwellers in occupation for 3+ generations
- GNI project cost: Rs 81,000 crore
- Tribes affected: Nicobarese, Shompen (PVTG)
- National Parks involved: Galathea NP, Campbell Bay NP
- Galathea Bay: critical Leatherback turtle nesting site
🔑 Key Term: Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) — FRA body that examines Gram Sabha resolutions on forest rights; minimum composition: 3 members, at least 2 STs (one woman)
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