Primatologists oppose Great Nicobar Project due to ecological threats

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has shown his support for the Association of Indian Primatologists. He applauded their decision to oppose the Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project. Ramesh highlighted the ecological threats that the project poses, especially to wildlife in the area. The primatologists raised several important concerns. They criticized the lack of transparency regarding the Wildlife Conservation Plan (WCP). There were claims that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) adopted this plan from the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), but the public has not seen the actual document. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has denied access to it under the Right to Information Act. The primatologists also warned about the extensive deforestation caused by the project. They noted that removing forest cover could seriously affect local temperatures and humidity, which are crucial for the Nicobar long-tailed macaques' survival. The loss of habitat may lead to decreased precipitation, harming food sources for the macaques and other forest-dependent species. The group warned that significant land-use changes could push the macaque population toward extinction. They pointed out that the species is not well-studied, making it difficult for SACON to create an effective WCP. Ramesh supported their concerns, calling the Great Nicobar project a potential ecological disaster. He urged for a thorough reassessment of the project's environmental impact.