India's plans for a multi-billion-dollar development project on Great Nicobar Island have raised alarms among islanders who fear the loss of their land, culture, and way of life. Designed to connect the area to crucial global trade routes, the project promises to enhance international trade and tourism but threatens to push the island's indigenous tribes to the brink of extinction.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a federally administered territory, are home to some of the most isolated and vulnerable tribes in the world. The Shompen, a nomadic tribe of around 400 people, live deep within the forest and depend on foraging for their survival. Anstice Justin, an anthropologist who has been documenting life on the island since 1985, warns that the loss of their traditional way of life will be "especially huge and traumatic" for the Shompen. He stated, "Whatever we call development in the outside world is not of interest to them. They have a traditional life of their own."

Environmentalists also express concerns about the project's ecological impact. Approximately 80% of Great Nicobar Island is covered by rainforests, which are home to over 1,800 animal species and 800 plant species, many of which are endemic. While the government claims that only 14% of the total area will be cleared for the project, experts warn that the actual figure could be much higher. Ecologist Madhav Gadgil noted, "The government always claims that only a part of the forest will be cleared. However, the infrastructure you're building will lead to more pollution, which in turn would affect the entire habitat."

Additionally, there are fears regarding the exposure of the Shompen to diseases. Uncontacted peoples have little to no immunity to outside diseases such as influenza and measles, which can devastate their populations. Callum Russell, an official at Survival International, a conservation group, stated, "Uncontacted peoples have typically lost around two-thirds of their population after contact." The project's impact on marine life is also a concern, particularly regarding the nesting sites for giant leatherback sea turtles in Galathea Bay.

The timing and scale of the project have raised questions about India's motives. Experts suggest that it is part of India's broader goal to counter China's growing influence in the region. Although the government has assured that the project will not disturb or displace tribespeople, skepticism remains. Earlier this year, 39 international experts warned that the development project would be a "death sentence" for the Shompen. As the project progresses, the fate of the island's indigenous people and their way of life hangs in the balance.