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Great Nicobar project will destroy unique ecosystem; pause, revisit venture: Ramesh to Environment Minister
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on May 10, 2026, urging a pause and re-evaluation of the Great Nicobar Island development project, criticizing the adequacy of environmental clearances and asserting the biodiversity is globally unique. The article references earlier legal judgments, past statements on environmental impact assessments, and related political developments, including responses from the government and a visit by Rahul Gandhi.
Why It Matters
The timing centers on ongoing debates over environmental safeguards, strategic security concerns, and transparency in environmental clearances for a major port project in a biodiversity-rich region, highlighting tensions between development and conservation.
Timeline
8 Events
Ramesh writes to Yadav urging pause and revisit of Great Nicobar project
May 10, 2026
In a letter to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav dated May 10, 2026, Jairam Ramesh argued that the Great Nicobar Island development project would destroy the unique ecosystem, urged pausing, reflecting, and revisiting the project in its present design and detail, and criticized the environmental clearance process as inadequate.
Ramesh responds to FAQs; references September 2024 exchanges
May 3, 2026
Jairam Ramesh stated that he had already responded to the FAQs in considerable detail on May 3, 2026 and noted the September 2024 exchanges about comprehensive studies and EIA/EMP requirements.
Government releases FAQs on Great Nicobar Project
May 1, 2026
The government released a detailed statement with answers to FAQs about the Great Nicobar Project on May 1, 2026.
Rahul Gandhi visits Great Nicobar; April 28, 2026 statement referenced
April 28, 2026
Rahul Gandhi visited Great Nicobar in the last week of April 2026 and alleged that the project was 'one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage' of the country, prompting political controversy.
2026 court judgment relies on HPC report for Great Nicobar project clearance
February 16, 2026
A subsequent judicial judgment dated February 16, 2026 relied only on the conclusions of the HPC's report, without the report forming part of the record before the Court.
September 2024 exchanges between Jairam Ramesh and MoEFCC on Great Nicobar project
September 2024
Ramesh notes exchanges in writing from September 2024 with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding the Great Nicobar project and related questions about comprehensive studies, baseline data, and EIA/EMP details.
NGT judgment cites unanswered deficiencies; HPC to revisit EC
April 3, 2023
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment dated April 3, 2023 held there were 'unanswered deficiencies' in the environmental clearance and directed the constitution of a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to re-visit the clearance for the Great Nicobar project.
Prakash Javadekar reiterates need for comprehensive EIA for ports in Lok Sabha
May 5, 2015
The importance of a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for port projects was reiterated by Prakash Javadekar in the Lok Sabha on May 5, 2015, while rejecting a Gujarat government request to consider clearance for ports based on Rapid EIA studies.