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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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
