Now Reading: Shompen told to adopt modern lifestyle for GNI project, Tribal Council alleges
-
01
Shompen told to adopt modern lifestyle for GNI project, Tribal Council alleges
Shompen told to adopt modern lifestyle for GNI project, Tribal Council alleges
Tribal leaders have accused the Andaman and Nicobar administration of wanting to force the Shompen, an isolated hunter-gatherer tribe of fewer than 300, into a 'modern lifestyle' as part of the ₹91,000-crore…
The Story in Brief
Tribal leaders have accused the Andaman and Nicobar administration of wanting to force the Shompen, an isolated hunter-gatherer tribe of fewer than 300, into a 'modern lifestyle' as part of the ₹91,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project. The Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar alleged that during a July 16 meeting, then-Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar said the Shompen 'cannot continue' their current way of life and must adopt modern ways. Kumar, now Union Labour Secretary, did not respond to queries. The council said its concerns about the project and wildlife sanctuaries notified without tribal consent were ignored. A follow-up meeting is scheduled later this week.
The Indian Opinion
The tribal council's charge that the chief secretary wanted the Shompen to 'adopt a modern lifestyle' sets up a false binary: preservation versus progress. PVTGs have constitutional protections, and Environment Minister Yadav had assured Parliament the project would not disturb them. The real test is whether the upcoming meeting actually addresses the council's core demands, relocation, consent for wildlife sanctuaries, and the Shompen's future. Until then, this remains a clash of promises.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
