Tribal council alleges false claims on forest rights settlement for Great Nicobar Project
The Tribal Council of Little Nicobar has accused the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration of falsely claiming that the forest rights of tribal people under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, were "identified and settled" for the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project. This alleged misrepresentation led to forest clearances for the project, which includes a transshipment port, airport, power plant, and township. The council asserts that no consent was given and FRA rights have not even been initiated. The administration, however, issued a certificate in 2022 claiming settlement, and previously argued that the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956 (PAT56) superseded FRA requirements, allowing the administrator full authority to divert forest land.
Key Points
- The Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project faces controversy over the alleged false settlement of tribal forest rights.
- The Andaman and Nicobar administration is accused of misrepresenting that tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, were settled.
- The Tribal Council of Little Nicobar denies giving consent and states that the FRA process has not been initiated.
- A conflict exists between the Forest Rights Act (FRA), which requires Gram Sabha consent, and the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act (PAT56), which grants the administrator authority.
Exam Facts
- The Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project is valued at ₹72,000 crore.
- The Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted in 2006.
- The Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act (PAT56) was enacted in 1956.
- The project involves diversion of nearly 13,075 hectares of forest land.
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