Shompen
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
The Shompen are one of India's most isolated indigenous communities, with a total population of approximately 237 people. They are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) — a classification for the most marginalized tribal communities in India who have pre-agricultural, declining population, or extremely low literacy. The Shompen are entirely forest-dependent, have no immunity to common diseases (historically making contact catastrophic), and their territory overlaps directly with the proposed port development zone at Galathea Bay.
- Shompen population: ~237 (one of India's smallest tribal groups)
- Classification: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG); entirely forest-dependent
- Territory: overlaps with southern Great Nicobar, including the mouth of Galathea Bay
- Disease vulnerability: lack immunity to common infections; documented mass deaths after first contact events historically
- In 2022: Shompen Council revoked its No Objection Certificate (NOC) to forest diversion, citing lack of free, prior, and informed consent
- In 2024: 39 genocide experts from 13 countries warned the development could constitute a "death sentence" for the Shompen
● Tracked since April 10, 2026 · last seen June 12, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
Polity & Governance
Great Nicobar Island Development Project
Polity & Governance
Great Nicobar Island
Polity & Governance
Fifth Schedule vs. Sixth Schedule
Environment & Ecology
Forest Rights Act, 2006
Polity & Governance
Environmental Concerns
Polity & Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief