| Scroll Dear reader, I want to share with you a crucial story that gets to the heart of why independent journalism is essential. The government is greatly understating the deforestation that the megaproject will entail, environmentalists say. scroll.in In 2022, the government approved a major development project on Great Nicobar Island, allowing for the clearance of over 130 sq. kms. of ancient, dense rainforest to build a port, airport and township. Official estimates put the number of trees to be felled at 8.5 lakh, but our reporting shows that there are serious doubts about the accuracy of this figure. Contrary to the government’s estimate of 130 trees per hectare, ecologists argue that Nicobar’s rainforest density is far higher, ranging from 500 to nearly 1,000 trees per hectare. Using this data, the actual number of trees likely to be lost is not 8.5 lakh, but anywhere between 32 lakh and 1 crore. The project's official environmental impact report contains illegible or missing data, which prevents the public from fully understanding its environmental toll. Despite numerous requests for clarity, the environment ministry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation are yet to address these inconsistencies. Their silence underscores the need for journalistic scrutiny. Support Free & Independent Journalism scroll.in Become a Scroll member to help us uncover the hidden costs of this project, or make a small contribution to our Great Nicobar Island reporting fund. Special project: Help us report from the ground on the Great Nicobar Project . . Nearly a million rainforest trees. A tribe with just 400 members. ... pages.razorpay.com Join us in standing for journalism that brings out the truth.
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