Union Government Seeks Supreme Court Stay on Great Nicobar Island Project Petitions
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Role of civil services· Prelims + Mains·
Environmental governance and tribal rights: a GS2 case study on infrastructure vs. statutory rights.
Why in news
The Union government sought a Supreme Court stay on petitions filed by retired IAS officer Meena Gupta alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project.
Background
The Great Nicobar Island project is valued at ₹92,000 crore. Petitioner Meena Gupta, a retired IAS officer, alleged that the project violated FRA guidelines regarding consent. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Centre's special leave petition on October 5.
Facts for Prelims
- FactGreat Nicobar Island project cost: ₹92,000 crore
- BodyForest Rights Act (FRA): Legislation governing rights of forest-dwelling communities
- PostMeena Gupta: Retired IAS officer and former Secretary in Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries
Prelims practice question
Which legislation governs the rights of forest-dwelling communities in India?
- (a)Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act
- (b)Right to Fair Compensation Act
- (c)Wildlife Protection Act
- (d)Forest Rights Act
Show answer
Answer: (d) Forest Rights Act — The Forest Rights Act (FRA) is the legislation governing the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
For Mains
Q. Examine the conflict between large-scale infrastructure development and the statutory rights of forest-dwelling communities under the Forest Rights Act.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Statutory conflict: Balancing industrial development goals against the mandatory consent requirements of the Forest Rights Act
- Procedural integrity: Ensuring 'locus standi' and preventing the abuse of judicial processes in environmental litigation
Keywords: Forest Rights Act · Locus Standi · Environmental Governance · Tribal Rights · Infrastructure Development
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.