Public sentiment regarding the Great Nicobar Project is sharply divided. On one hand, there is significant support highlighting its importance for national security and development, especially in the face of opposition from the Congress party, which many see as politically motivated. Conversely, strong opposition exists due to environmental concerns, potential harm to indigenous tribes, and fears of prioritizing corporate interests over ecological and social responsibilities.

Modi government

Congress party

Environmental advocacy groups

I think I need to clear a few things about this project. Reasons why it is needed and why it is not going to be Hong Kong. 

1. The purpose of Hong Kong is fulfilled by GIFT City ( yes it’s called GIFT- Gujarat International Finance Tech City), their is no international financial district in this project. 

2. It is the best location for a Deep Sea Port in Indian territory. Having closest proximity to major shipping routes. 

3. Their is a good chance of a big oil discovery near the Andaman Nicobar island range. Thus making it an essential point for Oil transit. 

4. Strategic Importance for its ability to block trade passing through Indian Ocean for China. 

So no it is not going to be Singapore or Hong Kong. Yes it is going to be a very strategic and important location for development of India.

blah_bleh-bleh

I am very much inclined to believe a single way trip to this will be pretty expensive lol

[deleted]

So you’re telling me this isn’t r/imaginarymaps and that isn’t the colonisation of Greenland by multiple powers when the ice melts?

reinchloch

Makes more sense to build a naval base there than an trade port.

Variable_Shaman_3825

Built on a budget of 720bn rupees ($9bn or £6bn) and spread over 166 sq km, the project includes a transshipment harbour, a power plant, an airport and a new township, all designed to link the area to crucial global trade routes along the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.

Positioned near the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the project promises to boost international trade and tourism - the government reckons that some 650,000 people will be living on the island by the time the project is completed in 30 years.

APrimitiveMartian

What is the point of such a big harbour for islands with such a low population in the middle of nowhere? Hong Kong isn't in the middle of nowhere, Singapore also not. So these aren't comparable at all.

Sure_Sundae2709

Pick_Scotland1

Great Nicobar island is an UN designated biosphere reserve with thousands of endemic flora and fauna and an indigenous tribe called Shompen that’s limited to this island. 
The project wants to compensate for the biodiversity loss by doing afforestation in, wait for it, fucking Haryana. 

This is ecocide, and not something India needs at the scale being proposed. Especially Not in 2025 when the impact of environmental degradation is in the here and the now. We can’t breathe in our cities, infrastructure is in shambles everywhere, north India is a 50 degree hot box, Bangalore has lost all its lakes and everyone is always stuck in traffic. Yamuna and Ganga are toxic sewage drains.

This project, if formally approved, will see the greatest environmental protest India has ever seen.

Iamperfectlyfine

As an Indian, I’ve come to see that all India really does is talk big and deliver little.

00904onliacco

PitiedVeil55831

Rus1996

Absolute delusion. Hong Kong became Hong Kong because it's colonized by a former superpower which was also the financial superpower during its colonization; it's right next (and part of) the Pearl River Delta, a 100m+ people megalopolis, has cheap labor (and later provides a stepping stone for further cheap labor) for industry; and the PRC allowed it to be the financial gateway to China during the Deng era.

Also it's part of China, so obviously developing HK to attract capital is in the interest of China.

This will be little more than a glorified fishing village.

fufa_fafu

I hope this project never sees light. This is disaster in terms of environment. The port is right where leatherback turtle come for nesting we will loose them forever. If they want to build HK in India build in mainland India. Keep nicobar only for eco tourism like Maldives

Junior-Ad-133

More than a million trees will be cut for this project.

value_counts

This is nothing like Hong Kong. Hong Kong flourished due to lax taxation and finance laws and its unique ability to act as a financial and trade bridge between mainland China and the rest of the world. 

India is not a closed-off market like China was. India’s manufacturing centres are nowhere near Nicobar island like HK is to Guangdong. Nicobar island will have no comparative tax advantage compared to other financial special economic zones (like GIFT). 

The only thing Nicobar island will be good for is trade, and its close enough to Singapore that it might not even be able to do that.

aronenark

No one cares, it's not only about ports and infrastructure, but also about skill availability, Chinese workers/Employees are mostly better on average, and if you are a company you have like 5 options before India for building factories and Maritime service hub, you have China/Malaysia/Vietnam/Philippines/Indonesia
You cannot just replicate Macao/Hong Kong/Singapore

Responsible-Bar3956

"India", "HK-like"...nah aint gonna happen

slowwolfcat

As a trading port doesn't have much potential as it's far away from the mainland unlike Hongkong or Singapore. As a naval hub definitely a great location.

siranirudh

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Xakemi83

Saw an article on this in frontline, govt is prosecuting a war on the indigenous people and nature.

kro9ik

Their supporters - this is for nation building 
Also their supporters - why is the summer so hot yaar. Humare jamaane main to Aisa nahi tha.

bhatakti-atma

What mega project? Can someone shed some info?

Meowdoggo69

There'll be no protest or social media outcry over this,we all know why. Not saying UOH incident shouldn't have gotten attention but its suprising just how the gujju mafia never gets any attention whatever they do.

RayonLovesFish

People were protesting for 400 acres in the middle of the city and all celebrities joined in, want to see how many will even comment on this. 
This project and Hasdeo will do so much more ecological damage to the globe, and still nobody will do anything about it.

Witty_Active

That land will be allotted to either Amdani or Bambani

Super_Sukhoii

**Project Goals:**The project, spearheaded by NITI Aayog, envisions Great Nicobar as a sustainable, green, global destination for business, trade, and leisure, leveraging its strategic location near key sea routes.

Key Components:**International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay**: This is a major focus, aiming to make Great Nicobar a key player in regional and global maritime trade.

**Greenfield International Airport:** To facilitate easier access and tourism.Township Development: A planned greenfield city to support the project's growth.

Power Plant: A **450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant** to ensure energy needs are met.

**Guess who will get the Tender Wrong Answers only.**

2D_AbYsS

No one will say anything about this, no one will make fake AI videos about this

_rth_

It is funny how people who were outraged about 400 acres (and that was outrageous considering it was a biodivers forest and the lungs of a city) are somehow ok with ruining centuries old rainforests, like of which barely exist in India, are home to species which don't exist anywhere else and extremely important.

dreadedanxiety

Where is sadguru? Won't he do a bike rally now? 

Stunning_Ad_2936

Human race is literally the worst on this planet.

blue_suit75

The level of evil this is, is unprecedented

nomadicsoul79

zgeom

Anant ambani the so-called animal lover will do nothing about it. These  leaches will go to any length  for their profit. This same thing is  happening in the Hasdev forest.

Illustrious_Echo_450

We need development, mandir. Nature, schools, hospitals we can do later once we become No.1 Economy in next 4 years.

supernova_2110

RevolutionaryArt7819

I don't mind it actually if we want to actually compete to the top we must do whats necessary and anyways according to me all animals except humans are better off going extinct

Which_Appointment450

Curious_742

**Activism alone doesn't secure a nation.** What matters is strategic development; especially in critical regions that need to be strengthened before it's too late to counter China's growing influence. 

Social media narratives might look good on the surface, but they rarely reflect ground realities. Frankly, some of these so-called "activist" movements feel less like grassroots efforts and more like coordinated distractions, possibly even backed by foreign interests, including China.

NoMedicine3572

Sometimes I think that as a developing nation we should care less for wildlife and forest ( yes I am selfish) , once we start to get money then we can make forest somewhere else , and whichever species go endangered  we can freeze their eggs or something and help them grow in numbers later.

Numerous_Rip_2680

It is required for India's security. Only andaman is developed, but nicobar hasnt.

Critifin

The same environmentalists should show us the way. Please have them propose a plan with the same security and economic benefits without deforestation. I'm asure if the plan is sond they can get funding for execution and implement it too.

Conscious_Prompt9250

I've seen the development in the Andamans. Tourism does short term financial gain but long term ecological damage. It's not worth it especially considering we are terrible tourists to begin with destroying everything in sight that is not ours.

Randomizer_Anon

The road passing through the Jarava areas has already made them a living museum. The fucking tourist record them and make them do stuff by offering them food just like it was a safari.

beyondocean

Easy-Cheesecake-202

More like these construction and development companies the ones who bought electoral bonds will be awarded these projects to siphon off tax payers wealth into crony businessmen and politicians for substandard work in ecologically sensitive areas.

You can't have tourism everywhere folks, need to preserve these areas at all costs. This isn't the development we want or need. Last thing I want here is a hayat regency or Taj hotel. Fuk TATA's

Ah, creating a 'HK' by chopping down nearly a million trees and displacing indigenous tribes? Gormint genius. 

Edit : Understandable though, who needs biodiversity and human rights when you can have skyscrapers, tourist and all the money deposited in your Swizz account for one nod

7rulycool

This govt has already deforested a lot of land in mainland India for their crony capitalist friends, now they are training their guns at Andaman and Nicobar.

mayblum

shwarmaa_naman

All these just to ocean reclaim it in future

MonkeyDMeatt

Materialmumaterial

One of the worst things about the governemnt

india needs 80 more cities to reduce the pressure on existing cities. Amaravati of Andhra Pradesh is a Greenfield city aka a city made from scratch which would help increase employment and places to live but for the sake of development hundreds of farmers sold their lands which were dealt poorly due to the ego of the later cm jagan mohan reddy, hong kong has terrible living standards and not an ideal to have for a city, overpopulation isn't the problem, overcrowding is and we need help the tribes with their diaspora while also preserving their culture.

Fabulous_Access_2939

They have passed all the bills in last parliament session. From it laws to BNS to enviromental laws.

Fun-Refrigerator6592

Autocrat Godship working tirelessly for fraaaands Adani Ambani.

Which_Cattle_9139

Make this viral on social media especially on international social media.The only way to get the spotlight on this atrocity!!!

HelaArt

Credit to [u/Greedy-rate-349](https://www.reddit.com/u/Greedy-rate-349)

Also read,

[Great Nicobar Project clearances violate constitutional mandate, views of tribals ignored: Experts write to NCST](https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/great-nicobar-project-clearances-violate-constitutional-mandate-views-of-tribals-ignored-experts-write-to-ncst-95738)

[Misguided Mega-Projects Threaten to Devastate the Andaman and Nicobar Islands](https://m.thewire.in/article/environment/misguided-mega-projects-threaten-to-devastate-the-andaman-and-nicobar-islands)

[Former civil servants write to President on Great Nicobar island plan - The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/former-civil-servants-write-to-president-against-great-nicobar-island-mega-project/article66421144.ece)

[Will India's megaproject sink Great Nicobar island? – DW – 02/20/2024](https://www.dw.com/en/will-indias-megaproject-sink-great-nicobar-island/a-68308442)

[India’s plan for untouched Nicobar isles will be ‘death sentence’ for isolated tribe](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/07/india-port-airport-power-plant-military-project-great-nicobar-island-death-sentence-shompen-indigenous-people-warning)

[Great Nicobar Project may see 9.64 lakh trees axed, says Minister ](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/great-nicobar-project-may-see-964-lakh-trees-axed-says-minister/article67154281.ece)

[Open Letter To The President Of India: Who Will Stand Up For 229 Shompens (PVTG) And 27,168 Nicobarese Tribals In Great Nicobar Island, Whose Interests Stand Ignored By A "Mega Infra Project"?| Countercurrents](https://countercurrents.org/2024/06/open-letter-to-the-president-of-india-who-will-stand-up-for-229-shompens-pvtg-and-27168-nicobarese-tribals-in-great-nicobar-island-whose-interests-stand-ignored-by-a-mega-infra-project/)

[Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Report For Greater Nicobar International Airport- Violates The A&amp;N PAT Regulation, 1956| Countercurrents](https://countercurrents.org/2024/06/social-impact-assessment-sia-report-for-greater-nicobar-international-airport-violates-the-an-pat-regulation-1956/)

rishianand

Imagine comparing the Pearl River Delta/Greater Bay Area to this fucking area. What a waste

HashMapEverything

Dear Leader and the Rulers don't care. They are getting their money's worth. The companies who will clear the land and build stuff have gotten their profits. Who cares about biodiversity and human rights when there's a buck to be made. Capitalism is more important than anything. You're anti national if you oppose this. The tribals will earn BILLIONS due to tourism.

arjunusmaximus

Don't forget that this project is going to destroy 2 National Parks and 1 Biosphere Reserve.

islander_guy

Weren't these areas were decided to be protected areas and no one will disturb them? Why there's no news anywhere?

Ganesh2721

No ! No ! No! We cannot let this happen.
Surely there are other places that can be utilised.Eho came up with this monstrous plan.We need to go viral with this .This is genocide of ethnic groups untouched since the stone age.

At this point, it’s safe to say that NOBODY is listening. 

I know that if tomorrow I get hit by a Car and die on the spot, I will never get justice in this country, because Har koi bikau hai. 

Peace ✌🏻

SurvivorLady

doolpicate

chonkykais16

Minimum-Fig-9331

Isn't stealing heritage and land what the ruling party accuses of Babar of doing when its the Ram Mandir ?

How is this any different??

jvthinksitsfunny

The plan is for a transshipment port, airport and a power plant afaik. That will invariably have atleast barracks to station some troops permanently to “protect the assets”. But the real reason is simple. Government wants to build a base in Great Nicobar as that (along with the Tibet card) is one of the only ways to not get steamrolled by China. As much as losing 1/3rd of the island for the project seems to be too much, this is needed. A huge chunk of the Chinese economy depends on the strait of malacca. And India not utilising Great Nicobar for so long in the name of non alignment is stupid. the Bay of Bengal is one of the easiest places to attack India via sea. 2 of the 7 most populous places lie on it’s coast. Countless ports large and small. And a huge population of fishermen too right from Nagapattinam to the Sundarbans. Building an army base alone is dumb as it directly provokes China. This is a most likely just hidden agenda for the same.

And its also stated that the tribal reserve is to be increased to compensate for the loss and in effect they’re gonna lose little about 7 sqkm.

If they wanna build tourist spots then yeah it’s stupid and just blatantly inappropriate

Overall_Combustion3

 [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/remote-island-of-great-nicobar-threatened-by-container-terminal/](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/remote-island-of-great-nicobar-threatened-by-container-terminal/)

MadhuSci

these people care about just profit. the only reason we don't hear about this is because adani owns ndtv... The Australians kicked him out for destroying biodiversity now he's coming here and doing it

Emotional_Goal5972

Not only that, it will make India significantly weaker on the geopolitical map. India's control on Andaman &amp; Nicobar islands are its greatest security guarantor. (Look at Nicobar, how close it is to Thailand, in case you never looked at Thailand as India's neighbouring country.) It gives India control on the seas, very important when India is at a disadvantage on its northern and western boundaries, and even more so given that for China, India's prime rival, control on seas is very important but lacking. Nicobar's development would weaken this hold of India considerably: buffer zones are best left little developed, otherwise what you build for yourself today will serve the enemy's purpose tomorrow.

greatbear8

Genocide in paradise -  I thought it was attack on titan 😭

a-dumb-but-wise-guy

Those arguing for "development"... there's so much potential development to do on the mainland, which is a lot easier to access and develop, and we still struggle with that. Do you really think that the Nicobar islands are where India finally figures out how to do development for some reason?

tdrhq

And then these people say "gOveRnMeNt dOeSn't wAnT tO cOmPeTe WitH cHiNa, lOOk tHeY DoNt cArE aBoUt iNfRaStrUcTurE. cHiNa gOOd India bAd"😒

Godfather_Demon

India needs the land to create a port city. We'd do well in trade with the rest of the South East Asia.

It'll also act as a defense against China by Strengthening our borders. It'll also bring in money. 

As long as the local community is rehabilitated well and Ecology is shifted via afforestation etc, which it should considering the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016, the project brings greater good.

readingitmyway

Anyone forget the 2004 Tsunami? That is a seismically active zone. This is a bad idea on so levels.

Chintiktan

You guys first decide, You need development or environment preservation. Now we're 5th largest economy, in few years we'll be 4th surpassing Japan. 

At one point we've to lose something to get something, and what do you think? The local tribals get murdered for not giving their lands to govt. Every govt has given something in return to locals a job or money or business opportunity. 

And these tribals are not sentinalese to assume they don't know anything they have basic education and they can do verbal communication.

The same type of people said that narmada dam should not be built cuz it will harm the ecology of tribals, but now the same tribals earn millions of rupees by doing business at the Statue of Unity(upon narmada dam).

Remarkable-Pie-3838

Let those tribe get the facilities that ordinary Indians are getting.why should they live in dark ages. Why should they not become doctors and engineers

The same group who want casteism out want tribalism to be maintained

Ad opposed yo actual growth in infrastructure and improved QOL for citizens. It doesn't exist for liberals to pontificate, it is a real place which will develop as mankind progresses.

AccomplishedUse59001

India’s Great Nicobar project plans a mega-port, airport, power plants, and new cities. Sounds great on paper… until you see the cost:

**770 leatherback turtle nests/year wiped out** – 94% of regional nesting threatened.  
**Nicobar megapode**: 51 active nests in the project zone, \~60% nests destroyed, 80% habitat at risk.  
 **Nicobar long-tailed macaques**: 36 troops on the island; 70% habitat loss likely → human conflict.  
 **0.85–0.96 million trees** chopped down.  
 **12–20 hectares of mangroves** cleared.

 **\~16,000 coral colonies** need relocation (good luck with that 🙄).

During the Kangress times, there were hardly any priority for developmental subjects. It was found out later on, the ministers were lazy , political hacks, with armchair lethargy to drink and fart.

When broken , shoddy situations are pointed out, they had this disingenuous explanation for their inactions.." Enviornmental conditions are precious..should not be disturbed.. very important.. etc etc crap crap ". They substitute poor vision, performance with utter BS talk.

Debunk2025

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viksythesoothsayer

I'm really not trying to be cruel but this is really generic to the point where I can't tell if it's a joke or not.

_TheTurtleBox_

Not a bad first go. I think far more context is needed. It felt like there was little to no buildup before we saw the scary face. The text was also a bit too quick, for me at least. 

I'd suggest giving more backstory before bringing in the entity. It's hard to consider this horror when the story is non-existent. The screen swallow was cool, but not scary imo. Best of luck with your future videos!

GoonyBoon

also why is it on tape? like it says its in 2009 so it'd be mp4 or on optical disc, so why doesthe entire thing look like a chromatic abomnation?

photoshallow

why link that and not the thing? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC4A5MMBZGc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC4A5MMBZGc)

Solid-Relationship27

The Great Nicobar Project, aimed at transforming the island into a strategic hub, has sparked controversy over its environmental and social implications.

Great Nicobar Project Controversy

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want