Nearly a million rainforest trees. A tribe with just 400 members. A nesting site of the endangered giant leatherback turtles. All this and more is threatened by the Modi government’s plan to build an alternative “Hong Kong” on the Great Nicobar Island.
Much has been written about the government’s Rs 72,000-crore proposal to construct an international airport, a transshipment terminal, a power plant and a township on the pristine island, 1,300 km from the mainland.
But there has been no ground reporting from the island.
How will the project impact the island’s indigenous communities, the Shompens and the Nicobarese? Have they even been consulted?
What will be the ecological impact of the project, which will cover nearly one-fifth of the island?
Help Scroll’s climate and land reporter Vaishnavi Rathore get to the Great Nicobar Island to report these stories.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!