Ananta Nayak, acting vice-chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, defends the mega construction project on Great Nicobar Island, dismissing criticism as an international conspiracy. Nayak emphasizes economic development, protection of tribal identity, and praises the Narendra Modi government s focus on tribal welfare.
Concerns over ecology, rights of the indigenous communities and the tectonic volatility and disaster vulnerability of the island have been disregarded.