Overview
On July 2, 2026, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of steering the Great Nicobar Island Project towards an "environmental disaster". He said the nation’s ecological conscience is on trial and highlighted several legal challenges filed in the Calcutta High Court.
Key Developments
- Ramesh shared an anthology of his public engagements – social media posts, parliamentary interventions, and letters to Union ministers – to document concerns.
- Five petitions are pending in the Calcutta High Court, alleging violations of the Eco Sensitive Zone Notification for Campbell Bay and Galathea National Parks, the Forest Rights Act, the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification, and the Environment (Protection) Act.
- Ramesh has written to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seeking clarification on the project’s ecological impact.
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the government’s defence‑port justification a "lie" and alleged that the project benefits a private businessman planning hotels and casinos on the island.
Important Facts
- The proposed trans‑shipment port is to be built at