Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has cornered Rahul Gandhi. He said that Rahul Gandhi is unnecessarily criticizing the strategically important Great Nicobar Island Development Project and spreading propaganda. Rijiju clarified that this project will not cause any harm to the environment, because the environmental protection rules in India are very strict. Rejecting the allegations of environmental damage, the Union Minister said that India’s environmental laws and regulatory safeguards are strong enough to prevent ecological damage. Rijiju said, “Environment is just an excuse. The purpose of the propaganda spread by Rahul Gandhi is to prevent India from getting strategic benefits in the future.”
What did you say about the scuba-diving trip?
The Union minister also alleged that Gandhi’s scuba-diving trip to the islands was blown out of proportion by an “ecosystem” that wanted to create opposition against the project. He claimed, “Rahul Gandhi ji spent Rs 26 crore on scuba diving in Andaman. The entire ecosystem spread this news. By linking scuba diving with concerns related to marine life and environment, he tried to create propaganda against this project.”
‘Environmental law is very strong’
Responding to criticism that the project would damage forests and marine ecosystems, Rijiju said no government can arbitrarily destroy the environment. He said, “Our environmental laws are very strong and our government’s policy regarding climate, environment and ecosystem is very clear. No one can destroy anything at will.”
He also rejected concerns that the project would have a negative impact on the tribal communities living on the islands. Referring to tribes like Shompen, Nicobarese, Great Andamanese, Jarawa and Sentinelese, Rijiju said that different governments have protected their interests and claimed that no community has faced any problem due to the government’s development work. He argued that environmental protection, tribal welfare and economic development are not opposed to each other.
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