New Delhi, 05 June (H.S.):

Former Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi once again raised the issue of the Great Nicobar island project on World Environment Day, releasing a video accusing the government that the ₹72,000-crore project will harm the environment.

Rahul alleged the project would lead to the felling of 1.5 million trees, damage coral reefs and displace communities. He said upgrades to genuine defence infrastructure such as INS Baaz (the airfield of the unified command) were being overlooked, and that the project would benefit a businessman who plans to build hotels and casinos there.

On X, Rahul said, “Nothing that benefits us justifies destroying what can never be recovered. I support ecologically balanced development. These islands could become the world’s most extraordinary sustainable tourism destinations. That is the India we must fight for.”

He said that on this World Environment Day he wanted to ask every young Indian what kind of India they want to inherit. He also launched an online campaign urging people to sign a petition and tell the Modi government whom they choose.

Photos and videos from Rahul’s recent visit to the Great Nicobar island were released by him and the Congress party.

Supporters of the project consider it important to India’s Act East strategy, while critics view it as a threat to the environment and marine life.

Officials, however, said that over 20 years only about 1.82 percent of forested area — roughly 700,000 trees — would be felled; 66 square kilometres would be preserved as green space; compensatory afforestation would be carried out across 24,750 hectares; and tribal protection measures would remain in place. The project includes a transshipment port near the Malacca Strait, an airport and a township to boost maritime security.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar