India plans major infrastructure hub on Great Nicobar amid opposition
India
India wants to turn the remote Great Nicobar Island into a major hub, with a new port, airport, and township.
The idea is to boost trade, create jobs, and improve links with the mainland and Southeast Asia.
But not everyone is on board. Locals and environmentalists are worried about what this could mean for the island's unique wildlife and communities.
Great Nicobar ecosystems and communities threatened
Great Nicobar is home to rare forests, endangered sea turtles, and indigenous groups who have lived there for generations.
Critics say building big infrastructure could harm fragile ecosystems and threaten local cultures and livelihoods.
While the location is strategic for India, many feel the environmental and social risks might outweigh the benefits.