Great Nicobar Project The National Green Tribunal’s approval (February 17) of the ₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar Mega Project is deeply troubling not only for its environmental impacts but also for what it signals about institutional accountability in matters of public interest. The language of the order – invoking “strategic importance”, “adequate security measures”, and “no good grounds for interference” – appears less like rigorous judicial scrutiny and more like broad administrative support.

However, the strategic need must be clearly defined and consistently demonstrated. What exactly is “strategic importance,” and how does this designation justify irreversible ecological risks? At a time when questions remain about India’s strategic posture on key external challenges – from unresolved concerns about Chinese intrusions at the border to policy adjustment to US geopolitical pressures – the call for strategic imperatives in domestic development decisions calls for greater transparency. Strategic importance cannot become a convenient and elastic justification for bypassing environmental prudence, scientific caution and democratic scrutiny.

Equally worrying is the Tribunal’s reliance on assurances of “adequate safeguards”. Environmental damage in fragile island ecosystems is not easily reversible.

The project also raises serious questions about the rights and welfare of local communities, particularly indigenous groups, whose relationship with land and forests is integral to their existence. More broadly, the decision reflects a troubling trend in which institutions tasked with protecting public and ecological interests appear increasingly indifferent to executive claims.

Aditya Das, Bhawali, Uttarakhand Congress-DMK alliance Congress knows well that it cannot win a single seat in Tamil Nadu without the full support of DMK. It would be disastrous for the national party if it joins Vijay’s party, TVK, which has yet to prove its victory in any election.

If the Congress continues to harass the DMK, the DMK leadership should distribute the seats earmarked for the Congress to DMK’s other alliance partners. Thursius S.

Fernando, Chennai.