Centre Seeks Report on Tribal Rights Concerns in Great Nicobar Island Project (GNIP)

Posted 10 Sep 2025

2 min read

Article Summary

The government aims to address tribal and biodiversity concerns related to the GNIP, which involves development projects affecting indigenous communities and endangered species under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The concerns were related to Tribal Council complaints of identification and settlement of tribal people’s rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

About GNIP

Clearance: The project was granted in-principal forest clearance and environmental clearance in 2022 under the Holistic Development of Islands program (HDIP).
Nodal agency: Led by NITI Aayog and implemented through Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
Area: 130.75 Sq km of forest land is diverted (50% reserved for green development with no tree felling).
Infrastructure Projects: The project plan encompasses developing an international container transshipment terminal (ICTT) at the Galathea Bay, a greenfield international airport, a township, and a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant.

Issues related to GNIP

Tribal Rights: GNI is home to the Shompens(PVTG) and Nicobarese.
Biodiversity: Galathea Bay is one of the primary nesting sites in the world of the endangered Leatherback Turtles and the Nicobar Megapode, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

About Forest Rights Act, 2006

Officially known as Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act.
Objective: To undo historical injustice occurred to forest dwelling communities.
Key Features
- Forest Rights Recognized as Individual Rights and Community Rights.
  - The right to community tenures of habitat and habitation over customary territories used by PVTGs include not only habitation, but also social, economic, spiritual, sacred, religious and other purposes.
- Forest Rights Committee (District Level Committee) is envisaged to ensure that the claims are verified and addressed.