<h3>Overview</h3>
<p>On <strong>29 April 2026</strong>, senior Congress leader <span class="key-term" data-definition="Senior Congress leader and former MP, prominent opposition figure (GS2: Polity)">Rahul Gandhi</span> alleged that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Proposed infrastructure and tourism development scheme in the southernmost island of the Andaman archipelago (GS3: Environment/Polity)">Great Nicobar project</span> at <span class="key-term" data-definition="Campbell Bay — the administrative headquarters of Great Nicobar Island, strategic location in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (GS1: Geography)">Campbell Bay</span> in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Andaman and Nicobar Islands — Union Territory comprising 572 islands, significant for biodiversity and strategic maritime position (GS1: Geography)">Andaman and Nicobar Islands</span> is “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country”. He warned that the scheme would involve clearing “millions of trees” over <strong>160 sq km</strong> of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Rainforest — dense forest ecosystem with high rainfall, crucial for carbon‑sequestration and biodiversity (GS3: Environment)">rainforest</span>, describing it as “destruction dressed in development’s language”. Gandhi said he would raise the matter in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Lok Sabha — Lower house of India's Parliament, where the Opposition raises issues (GS2: Polity)">Lok Sabha</span>.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Project scope: 160 sq km of forest land earmarked for tourism, infrastructure and strategic facilities.</li>
<li>Environmental cost: Estimated loss of millions of trees, threatening endemic species and carbon‑sequestration capacity.</li>
<li>Social impact: Potential displacement of indigenous communities and erosion of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Tribal heritage — cultural and social practices of indigenous communities, protected under the Constitution (GS2: Polity)">tribal heritage</span>.</li>
<li>Political response: Rahul Gandhi to table a motion in Parliament demanding a fresh <strong>environmental impact assessment</strong> and suspension of the project.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>The Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost part of the archipelago, covering about <strong>1,045 sq km</strong>. The proposed development zone of 160 sq km represents roughly 15 % of the island’s forest cover. The area hosts several protected species, including the Nicobar pigeon and giant leatherback turtles. Indigenous groups such as the <em>Shompen</em> and <em>Nicobarese</em> rely on forest resources for livelihood and cultural identity.</p>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>This episode touches upon multiple UPSC themes:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Environment & Ecology (GS3)</strong>: The clash between development projects and forest cons
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