On a remote tropical island closer to Indonesia than India, construction has begun on one of India's most ambitious projects. Great Nicobar, India's southernmost island in the Andaman Sea, is about the size of Hong Kong and covered almost entirely in rainforest. India plans to spend $9 billion to build a massive shipping port, a dual-use airport, and a new city here.
Why this island? Great Nicobar sits near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest shipping passages. India says the project will strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean and counter China's influence in the region.
However, the project raises serious concerns. Nearly 964,000 trees will be cut down to make space for development. Scientists worry the actual number could be much higher. Galathea Bay, where the port will be built, is an important nesting ground for giant leatherback sea turtles, and the area has valuable coral reefs.
The island is home to the Shompen and Nicobarese indigenous peoples. The Shompen are a small, isolated group of hunter-gatherers living deep in the forest. In 2024, 39 genocide scholars warned that this project could be "a death sentence" for them, especially as thousands of new residents arrive.
Another risk exists: Great Nicobar is in India's highest earthquake zone. The devastating 2004 tsunami caused the island's southern tip to sink. Critics question whether building a major port and city in such a dangerous location is wise.