Centre Justifies Great Nicobar Mega Project, Assures Long-Term Ecological Mitigation Measures

Context:
• The Union government has defended the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), stating that it is fully aware of the ecological concerns and has planned biodiversity conservation and monitoring measures extending up to 2052.
• The project includes a transshipment port, international airport, township, and power plant across 160 sq. km.

Key Highlights

1. Centre Defends Project Before NGT

• Government asserts awareness of the environmental impact of the Great Nicobar development.
• Mandatory conservation and monitoring programs have been integrated for 30 years.

2. Project Components & Scale

• Total cost: ₹92,000 crore.
• Includes:
  • Transshipment port
  • International airport
  • Township
  • Power plant
• Spread across 160 sq. km of land.

3. Legal Challenge

• Petitions question the environmental clearance, citing:
  • Violations of Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) norms
  • Gaps in the environmental impact assessment (EIA)
  • Risks to biodiversity and tribal communities

Significance

1. Impact on Forests and Indigenous Communities

• Around 130 sq. km of forest land will be affected.
• Region inhabited by Nicobarese and Shompen (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group).
• Centre states no displacement of tribal persons will occur.

2. Biodiversity Management Plans

• Government plans include:
  • Translocation of 16,000+ coral colonies
  • Monitoring of the remaining 4,500 corals
  • Conservation efforts for Nicobar megapode nests
• Aim: minimise ecological damage while enabling strategic infrastructure.

3. Land Coverage & Forest Retention

• Project footprint accounts for 1.82% of the Nicobar archipelago.
• Over two-thirds of GNI will remain under forests.

4. Long-Term Environmental Oversight

• Environmental clearance requires:
  • Continuous biodiversity studies
  • Monitoring until 2052
• Next NGT hearing scheduled for November 7.

Prelims Focus

• Location and ecological importance of Great Nicobar Island.
• PVTGs in India, esp. Shompen.
• Coral translocation as a conservation technique.
• Authority and powers of the NGT.
• Nicobar megapode characteristics.

Mains Relevance

GS 3 – Environment & Ecology

• Infrastructure in ecologically sensitive zones
• Biodiversity safeguards
• Trade-offs between development and conservation

GS 2 – Governance

• Environmental clearances
• Role of regulatory bodies
• Rights of Scheduled Tribes and PVTGs

GS 1 – Indian Geography / Society

• Island ecosystems
• Tribal communities of Andaman & Nicobar Islands