Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated on Wednesday that he welcomed Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav’s acknowledgment that the environmental clearance for the Great Nicobar Island project relied on limited primary data from one season combined with historical records rather than full three-season assessments. Ramesh questioned whether comprehensive studies across multiple seasons would better account for variations and noted that the government now highlights strategic aspects amid evidence of significant ecological risks. In his June 3 letter responding to the minister’s May 27 reply, Ramesh argued that secondary data cannot replace site-specific primary collection. He had earlier raised concerns in a May 10 letter about insufficient baseline information falling short of legal standards. Yadav responded that field data from one cycle was supplemented by long-term records from established institutions with extensive experience in the region and that all issues had undergone statutory and judicial review. The project covers 166 square kilometers and features a container port, airport, power facilities, and a new coastal city, requiring clearance of 13,000 hectares of forest. Ramesh challenged references to National Green Tribunal rulings from 2023 and 2026, noting restrictions on ports in erosion-prone areas, and called for public release of a high-powered committee report on the clearance.
