A delegation of tribal representatives from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has raised concerns over land rights, displacement and the impact of the proposed Great Nicobar Infrastructure (GNI) project during a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
According to members of the delegation, tribal communities that had historically transferred land to the government as revenue land are now being denied access to the same land. They said officials are seeking formal demarcation of ownership, a concept they argued does not align with the traditional land practices of indigenous communities.
The delegation said tribal life has long been rooted in a close and sustainable relationship with nature, and maintained that their objection is not to development itself, but to the way it is being pursued. They said infrastructure expansion and national security considerations should not come at the expense of indigenous identity and rights.
One of the major issues raised during the meeting was the continued displacement of tribal families following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The delegation said temporary shelters were constructed on their own land in the aftermath of the disaster, with assurances that families would eventually be relocated back to their original settlements. More than 20 years later, they said, many are still waiting for rehabilitation.
Members of the delegation also pointed to what they described as contradictions in the administration’s approach to land use. In one case, they said a request for land to build a playground was denied because the land was classified as revenue land. At the same time, they alleged, tribal families have not been allowed to return to their earlier settlements.
The delegation further claimed that repeated representations to the local administration have gone unanswered. They said there had been no meaningful communication from the authorities even after the revocation of a no-objection clearance linked to the project.
At the centre of the delegation’s concerns is the GNI project, which they said could have a serious impact on traditional livelihoods and the ecological balance of the region. The community, which depends on fishing, forest produce and other natural resources, fears that large-scale development and possible relocation could permanently disrupt its way of life.
Members of the delegation said land for tribal communities is tied not only to livelihood, but also to identity and cultural continuity. They said displacement would mean the loss of far more than physical shelter.
With no resolution forthcoming at the local level, the delegation said it approached national leaders in the hope that their concerns would receive wider attention and prompt dialogue on balancing development with indigenous rights.
During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi assured the delegation that he would examine the matter, according to those present. The group also met the head of the Congress party’s women’s cell, who, they said, promised to raise the issue in Parliament.
