Nicobar project: tribal council says its concerns are being overlooked

What happened: Shompen consultation and relocation concerns linked to the GNI project

The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar has accused the Andaman and Nicobar administration of trying to push the Shompen toward a “modern lifestyle” connected with the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) development project. The tribal council’s allegations connect these concerns to planning that includes a power plant at Galathea near Shompen settlements.

The tribal council alleges the following sequence of events:

• 16 July 2026: the Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar alleges then-Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar told the council that the Shompen “cannot continue” living as they do and must adopt a modern lifestyle that would accompany the GNI project. • The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar alleges that Shompen resettlement plans would be addressed only when the GNI project is undertaken. • The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar alleges that the administration did not address the council’s concerns raised on 16 July and that later directions issued by the Andaman and Nicobar administration omitted discussion of those concerns. • The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar is scheduled to meet officials again later in the week regarding plans for a township under the GNI project.

The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar also alleges contradictory explanations on relocation and affected villages by then-Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar and a member of the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Sangathan. The tribal welfare department officials reportedly did not respond when contacted.