Controversy Erupts Over Great Nicobar Lighthouse Project’s Questionable Environmental Study

A recent environmental impact assessment for the Great Nicobar lighthouse project has sparked significant controversy, as it includes species that are primarily found in Africa and the Amazon rainforest, raising questions about the study’s credibility. The report, released in April by WAPCOS Limited, a public sector enterprise based in Gurgaon, was prepared as part of a proposal to upgrade the lighthouse and develop tourist amenities at Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India.

Among the species listed are the tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus), native to the freshwater rivers of Africa, and the flagtail (Semaprochilodus insignis), an Amazonian freshwater fish. Disturbingly, over 90% of the species documented in the assessment have not been observed in Great Nicobar, with many of their closest habitats situated thousands of kilometers away. This raises concerns about the accuracy of the report and its implications for environmental conservation efforts in the region.

Local ecologists and marine biologists, who have dedicated years to studying the biodiversity of Great Nicobar, have expressed their shock at the findings, labeling the report as “completely fabricated.” They argue that such inaccuracies could misinform conservation strategies and potentially harm the local ecosystem. Notable species in the report also include the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), which typically resides in temperate and subarctic regions of Eurasia and is only found in parts of India during non-breeding seasons, and the Mayabandar rice frog (Microhyla chakrapanii), which has only been recorded in the Andaman Islands and not in Nicobar.

The implications of this flawed assessment extend beyond just scientific accuracy; they touch on issues of environmental responsibility, transparency in governmental projects, and the preservation of indigenous ecosystems. Many local advocates are calling for a re-evaluation of the study, emphasizing the need for properly conducted research that genuinely reflects the species residing in the area and their ecological significance.

As the project moves forward, stakeholders are urged to consider these findings critically. The discourse surrounding the Great Nicobar lighthouse project highlights the broader challenges faced in balancing development with environmental stewardship in India, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Nicobar Islands.

Source: scroll.in