Why the Great Nicobar project could spell doom for the island’s unique fauna

The Nicobar megapode is a mostly terrestrial bird. It has a black body and a bright red head. The Nicobar long-tailed macaque has greyish fur and a pinkish-brown face, and a tail that is longer than its height from head to rump. A newly discovered species of frog, Chalcorana chozhai, is yellowish green with blotches of faint brown.

These three sub-species of animals are only found on the Nicobar group of islands – that is, they are endemic to the region. While the megapode and macaque are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the wildlife biologists who discovered the frog have recommended that it be classified as endangered.

Before the Great Nicobar island began making headlines in connection with a massive Rs 72,000-crore development project planned on it, the region was well known for its diverse fauna. Now, ecologists warn that the megaproject could mean disaster for these animals.

The project has gained environment and forest clearances and looks set to receive other mandated permissions. Private companies have submitted expressions of interest to develop the project’s various components – the transshipment port, power plant, township and airport. In response to a Lok Sabha question this November, the union environment minister stated that the decision...

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