The proposed Greenfield project in Great Nicobar Island threatens to devastate one of India's most pristine ecosystems. This ambitious development, including an International Container Transshipment Port, an airport, and extensive urban infrastructure, poses significant environmental risks.

Key concerns include:

- **Deforestation**: The project will result in the loss of over 130 square kilometers of pristine forest, home to unique flora and fauna such as the Nicobar megapode and the endemic Nicobar tree shrew. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), approximately 8.5% of the island's forest cover will be cleared, significantly impacting biodiversity.

- **Water Scarcity**: Increased urbanization could deplete the island's limited fresh water resources. The EIA report indicates that the project could consume an estimated 6 million liters of water per day, severely straining the island's water supply, which is primarily dependent on rainfall and small streams.

- **Biodiversity Threats**: The construction activities threaten critical habitats for species such as leatherback turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and Nicobar megapodes. The island is home to 14 species of mammals, 71 species of birds, and 41 species of reptiles and amphibians, many of which are endangered or endemic.

Great Nicobar Island is not just important to India, but to the world’s ecology for several reasons:

1. **Biodiversity Hotspot**: The island is part of the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, recognized globally for its rich and unique species. It is home to numerous endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth, such as the Nicobar pigeon, the Nicobar tree shrew, and the Nicobar crab-eating macaque. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these species are under significant threat from habitat loss due to deforestation.

2. **Marine and Coastal Ecosystems**: The island's coastal areas support diverse marine life, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, which are crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity. These ecosystems provide habitat for endangered species such as the leatherback turtle, with nesting sites that could be disrupted by construction. The island's mangroves, which cover approximately 1,600 hectares, are vital for protecting coastal areas and supporting marine life.

3. **Carbon Sequestration**: The island's dense forests play a significant role in carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Destroying these forests would release large amounts of carbon, estimated to be over 3 million metric tons, exacerbating global warming.

4. **Ecological Services**: The island’s ecosystems provide critical services, including water purification, flood control, and soil stabilization. These services are vital not only for the local population but also contribute to the overall health of the planet. For example, the island's forests help maintain the hydrological cycle, ensuring water availability and quality.

5. **Climate Change Mitigation**: The island's forests and mangroves act as natural barriers against the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. They protect the coastline from erosion and help maintain the ecological balance, making them indispensable in the fight against climate change. The mangroves, in particular, can absorb up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests, highlighting their importance in climate regulation.

Furthermore, this place is my home and home to many Shompens, an indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage. Destroying this land would mean forgetting a part of our human history. The Shompens have lived on this island for thousands of years, maintaining a unique way of life that is deeply connected to the natural environment. The project's disruption could lead to irreversible cultural and social impacts on our community.

We call on the Government of India to halt the Great Nicobar Island Greenfield Project and seek sustainable alternatives that preserve the island's ecological integrity and cultural heritage. As someone whose family has lived on these islands for generations, I feel a deep responsibility to protect our home and heritage. Sustainable development is possible, but it must be balanced with the preservation of our environment and respect for the indigenous communities that depend on it.

In the name of development stop snatching homes of Local and tribal people