Sri Vijaya Puram, March 20 A delegation of tribal representatives from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi and raised concerns about the proposed Great Nicobar Infrastructure project.
During the meeting on Thursday, the delegation expressed apprehensions about the potential negative impact of the project on the fragile ecosystem of Great Nicobar Island and its indigenous tribal communities, according to a statement issued by the Congress here.
The delegation emphasized that while development is essential, it must not come at the expense of ecological degradation or the displacement and marginalization of the tribal population. They called for a balanced and sustainable approach that prioritizes environmental conservation and protects the traditional rights and livelihoods of the native communities.
The delegation consists of members of the Tribal Council from Nicobar District, while Dr Vikrant Bhuria, the national chairman of the All India Adivasi Congress, was also present at the meeting with Gandhi.
"The Leader of the Opposition (in the Lok Sabha) listened patiently to the delegation, acknowledging the seriousness of the issues presented. He assured them that these concerns would be raised at appropriate forums," said one of the tribal leaders from Great Nicobar.
Gandhi also conveyed his intention to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to directly engage with the people and better understand the local situation, he said.
