New Delhi
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pushing the Great Nicobar Integrated Development Project despite mounting evidence of its negative ecological and humanitarian effects. Ramesh, a former Union environment minister, has repeatedly expressed concerns that the current plan for the Great Nicobar Island infrastructure poses a significant threat to the environment. He has called for the project to be paused and reassessed.
Ramesh referred to a journalist’s mini-essay on the project, stating that the Prime Minister is aggressively advancing the initiative, disregarding the risks to both ecology and human communities. He shared the media report, hoping it would inspire more field reports documenting the destruction of the island’s diverse ecosystem.
Ramesh and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav have exchanged letters regarding the project. In one of his letters, Ramesh raised questions about the legitimacy and findings of a high-powered committee (HPC) reviewing the environmental clearances for the project. He criticized the Ministry’s claim that the project’s clearances were granted after thorough deliberation, arguing that the Environmental Impact Assessment seemed tailored to ensure the project’s approval. Ramesh emphasized that, even if the project has strategic and defense value, it should not overshadow its impacts on the island’s indigenous communities and fragile environment.