Scientists, conservationists warn of irreversible damage from govt’s Great Nicobar Project
New Delhi: The Centre’s ambitious Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project has once again come under scrutiny, with over 70 scientists, conservationists, and sociologists writing to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday, warning of its “grave and irreversible negative impacts” on the fragile island ecosystem.
In a strongly worded letter, as cited by Deccan Herald, the signatories accused the government of being “disingenuous” in invoking national security to defend what they described as a largely commercial venture disguised as a strategic project. They also criticised the decision to entrust biodiversity monitoring to a “handful” of institutions that had earlier drafted what they termed “illogical, unscientific and baseless” mitigation plans.
While the government has maintained that the project, which includes a dual-use military-civilian airport, holds strategic and maritime significance, the experts pointed out that the defence component accounts for only about 5 per cent of the total area. The remaining 160 sq km is earmarked for a commercial trans-shipment port, power plant, and township to house around 3.5 lakh settlers, in contrast to the island’s current population of roughly 8,000.
“It is misleading to label a predominantly commercial project as strategic and to cite national security whenever questions are raised,” the letter stated. They noted that excluding the defence enclave of 12.6 sq km, the proposed greenfield township covers over 80 per cent of the total project area.
The conservationists also noted that the proposed translocation of 20,000 coral colonies and crocodiles from Galathea Bay, the creation of artificial enclosures for the Nicobar Megapode (an endemic bird), and measures that would shorten the nesting approach of leatherback turtles by tenfold.
“These are glaring examples of unscientific and baseless mitigation strategies,” the letter said, adding that none of the detailed plans were available on the ministry’s website or through the RTI system.
They further noted that the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, that designed the plans are also tasked with monitoring their implementation, calling it a “clear conflict of interest.”
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
