Book Review: ‘Island on the Edge; by Pankaj Sekhsaria

Book Title: Island on the Edge: The Great Nicobar Crisis
Author: Pankaj Sekhsaria
Publisher: Westland Non-Fiction
Number of Pages: 266
ISBN: 9371978929
Date Published: Nov. 20, 2025
Price: INR 376 / $5.75

Book Review

“Island on the Edge: The Great Nicobar Crisis,” edited by Pankaj Sekhsaria, shines a light on the big fight over a huge development plan for Great Nicobar Island. The book gathers writings from 13 experts who look closely at the risks of building a giant port, airport, power plant, and new town, all costing over Rs 82,000 crore. It warns how this could harm the island’s rare plants and animals, plus the lives and languages of native groups like the Shompen and Nicobarese.

Author Pankaj, who has studied these islands for 30 years, points out legal gaps and broken rules that let the project move forward without real checks. Stories and facts show how the plan ignores fragile nature and tribal rights, much like past mistakes that hurt other island communities. The book builds on his earlier work, “The Great Nicobar Betrayal,” with fresh details on court fights and ground truths.

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In simple words, it calls for a pause to protect what makes the island special before it’s too late. While some see growth as key, the essays prove nature and people must come first. This quick, sharp read wakes readers up to a real Indian eco-battle.

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