A&N Tribal Welfare Dept accepts Nicobarese call to return to ancestral land, yet key concerns remain
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Sri Vijaya Puram: For the first time in two decades, the Andaman and Nicobar administration’s Tribal Welfare Department has formally acknowledged the Nicobarese community’s long-standing demand to return to their ancestral lands on Great Nicobar Island. The recognition appears in the minutes of a Tribal Welfare Committee meeting held last month, as part of the environmental clearance process for the island’s multi-component mega-project.
According to a report published by Frontline, three committees are currently reviewing the project: one focused on pollution, another on biodiversity, and a third on issues affecting the Shompen and Nicobarese communities. According to the minutes, the tribal welfare department has agreed to consider “specific demands, including the request for return to ancestral land”.
The Nicobarese were moved out of their forested tribal reserve areas after the 2004 tsunami and resettled in a tribal colony within the revenue area of Great Nicobar. Their earlier settlements had basic infrastructure such as roads, schools and a public health centre facilities. But now, they say these facilities remain largely inadequate in their new location. Despite consistent written and oral appeals since 2004, the administration did not act on their request to return and the latest acknowledgement comes only now, in the shadow of a large-scale development project that would significantly alter the island’s landscape.
Experts and community observers say the development is welcome but overdue. Social ecologist Manish Chandi, who earlier served on the administration’s Tribal Welfare Advisory Board, noted that the Nicobarese demand must be fulfilled, not merely considered. “The land belongs to the Nicobarese. It should be granted to them,” he said, cautioning that past assurances, such as delayed basic amenities in New Chingen, have not always translated into action.
However, the same committee minutes also highlight clear approvals for aspects of the mega-project that could further restrict tribal access to traditional lands. These include proposals for “geo-fencing cum surveillance towers” in Shompen areas and plans to redraw tribal reserve boundaries. Notably, the tribal welfare committee does not include a single member from either the Shompen or Nicobarese communities, and has not held any meetings with them.
Transparency issues have also surfaced. The minutes were uploaded only after an RTI appeal compelled the administration to release them. The initial denial cited Section 8(1) (a) of the RTI Act, despite environmental clearance conditions requiring the minutes to be published.
Separately, the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the road component of the mega-project, finalised in August by Atlas Management Consultancy Services Private Limited, has drawn criticism for omitting concerns expressed by the Nicobarese during the public hearing. While comments from settler communities were included, the SIA claims tribal groups “were not averse to any development work”. This contradicts multiple written submissions made by the Nicobarese tribal council and earlier objections from sections of the Shompen community, who have asked that development be kept away from their forests and hills.
When contacted by the Rishika Pardikar, an environment reporter based in Bengaluru, the consultant who prepared the SIA denied that the Nicobarese had raised objections at the public hearing, showing assertion that conflicts with the written and oral testimonies recorded at the time. The social welfare department overseeing the SIA process has not responded to queries.
In another instance of sidelined tribal concerns, the recently released draft coastal management plans list three wildlife sanctuaries, ignoring objections from the Nicobarese that such protected areas restrict their access to land and resources.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
