Lok Sabha Question No. 2864 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Impact of Great Nicobar Island Project
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -2864

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2024

## IMPACT OF GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND PROJECT

2864. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the infrastructure upgrade proposed under the Great Nicobar Island Project raises serious concerns on the impact upon Shompen and Nicobarese tribes which clearly stands in violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the measures taken by the Government to protect the FRA Laws in context of the Great Nicobar Island Project; and

(c)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  preserve  the  rights  of  the  Shompen  tribe  in managing the tribal reserve?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) & (b): The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (in short FRA) seeks to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded. The implementation of the Act lies with respective State Government and UT Administration.  The Andaman & Nicobar Administration (A&N Administration) has informed that no violation of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act" (in short, FRA) has been done while proposing for infrastructure upgrade under Great Nicobar  Island  Project  (GNIP)  and  all  due  procedures  has  been  followed  strictly.  Further Government has also constituted an Island Development Authority with effect from 1.06.2017 u nder the Chair of Hon'ble Home Minister to oversee holistic development of identified Islands of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep . Further, A&N Administration has informed that the several measures have been taken to minimize impact of infrastructure upgradation upon the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes of Great Nicobar Island as mentioned below.

(i).. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, promulgated by the President of India provides protection of the interests of aboriginal tribes and  declaration  of  the  geographical  area  as  reserved  areas,  which  are  predominantly  and exclusively inhabited by these tribes. As provided in the Regulation, the ownership of the land is vested in the tribal communities wherein, they have unfettered right of meeting their day-today requirement for their sustenance and transfer, acquisition etc. of land in Tribal Reserved areas are strictly prohibited. The Regulation was amended in 2012 to make it stringent (penal action for photography/videography, introduction of intoxicants and poaching etc in the tribal reserve).

(ii).  For the safety and protection of the tribe, the A&N Administration has notified the Policy on Shompen Tribe of Great Nicobar Island on 22.5.2015. With respect to the Great Nicobar Island  Project,  the  Shompen  Policy  allows  development  proposals  in  Great  Nicobar  Island subject  to  due  consultation  with  the  concerned  authorities  which  has  been  done.A&N Administration has informed that the project will not disturb or displace any Shompen PVTG.

(iii). Enforcement of SCs & STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 and Amendment Act 2015 & SCs & STs (Prevention  of Atrocities)  Rules  1995  and  Amendment Rule  2016.  UT and District level Vigilance & Monitoring Committees have been constituted.

(iv).  Hon'ble  Lt.  Governor  of  Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands  constituted  an  Empowered Committee,  including  the  Head  of  Office/Superintending  Anthropologist,  Anthropological Survey of India, Port Blair, and Anthropologists. During a meeting held on 30.09.2020, the empowered committee discussed the matter at length to ensure that the interests of the tribes of Great Nicobar Island are safeguarded in the wake of holistic development of the GNI Project.

(c): Several measures are being taken to preserve the rights of the Shompen tribe : -

(i).   A & N Administration notified the Policy on Shompen Tribe of Great Nicobar Island on 22.05.2015,  which  among  others  recognizes  the  social,  ecological  and  economic  diversity among  Shompen  with  preservation  and  protection  of   their  cultural  heritage  Including language.

(ii). As informed by  MoEF&CC, . EC & CRZ Clearance granted for the project is subject to following conditions.

- a). To ensure tribal welfare and not to disturb Shompen tribe and their habitations.
- b). Clear demarcation of the land has to be done for specific purpose of land use in the vicinity of project area such that habitations of the tribal shall not be intervened.
- c). To establish a Special Medical Unit to monitor and mitigate human-induced diseases from increased domestic and international populations.

In pursuance of this, an amount of Rs.75.00 crores have been especially provisioned to carry out the welfare activities for tribals of Great Nicobar Island such as Purchase of boat ambulance and Installation of technology based Geo-surveillance towers for the protection of the tribes etc.

(iii). The Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration has  worked out a plan of setting up special medical and health care unit for prevention and control of the disease with special reference to tribal population of Great Nicobar Island. The plan envisaged major up-gradation of the medical facilities with advanced infrastructure, medicines, and qualified staff in the Great Nicobar Island alongwith setting up of special disease control/ surveillance unit. The medical plan envisaged an outlay of Rs. 126 Crore.

(iv). Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N) has informed that Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti  (AAJVS)  is  working  for  the  welfare,  wellbeing  and  protection  of  Particularly Vulnerable  Tribal  Groups  (PVTGs)  and  provides  free  ration  and  clothes  to  the  Onges, Andamanese & Shompens and has also created amenities for supply of potable water, free ration,  medical  care,  education,  protection,  communication  through  police  wireless  and provided infrastructure as Community Hall, houses, footpath, jetty for berthing of the boats, helipad  etc.  in  the  tribal  settlements  for  these  tribal  groups.   It  has  also  been  informed that  AAJVS implements several  programmes for the promotion of traditional skills and craft of the tribal people in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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