Centre Submits Report on Great Nicobar Project to NGT

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July 08, 2025

Centre Submits Report on Great Nicobar Project to NGT

The Union Environment Ministry submitted a sealed report by the High-Powered Committee (HPC) to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), reviewing the environmental clearance for the Great Nicobar Island mega project.

  • This submission was in response to NGT’s March directive to present follow-up actions after the HPC revisited the project’s environmental clearance (EC).

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO)

  • Established in 1988 under the Companies Act, ANIIDCO is a quasi-government agency tasked with promoting sustainable and balanced development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
  • Its focus lies in the commercial use of natural resources while maintaining environmental responsibility
  • Key functions include:
    • Trading petroleum products, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), and milk
    • Managing tourism resorts and related infrastructure
    • Supporting development in tourism and fisheries sectors

  • The Environment Ministry stated the HPC addressed NGT’s issues, and also deliberated on implementation logistics, financial support, and the formation of the overarching committee for environmental compliance.
  • Ministry affidavit confirms Rs 80.84 crore released by March 31, 2025, for wildlife conservation and healthcare as per environmental clearances.

About Great Nicobar Project

  • The Great Nicobar Project is a long-term, multi-sectoral infrastructure initiative aimed at the integrated development of Great Nicobar Island.
  • It  includes an international transshipment terminal, civil and military airport, township, and a 450 MVA gas- and solar-based power plant.

About Great Nicobar Island

  • Location: Southernmost point of India, close to Indonesia
  • Indira Point: ~25–40 km from major sea trade routes (20–25% of global trade passes here)
  • Ecosystem: Tropical wet forests, coral reefs, mangroves, two national parks, and a biosphere reserve
  • Wildlife: Home to endangered species like the leatherback turtle and Nicobar megapode.  

  • The project is being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO).

Need for the Project

  • Strategic Location: Indira Point is just 25–40 km from key international shipping routes that handle 20–25% of global trade and 35% of global oil movement.
  • Reducing Foreign Dependence: Over 75% of India’s transshipped cargo is handled at foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Klang.
  • Military Preparedness: India aims to enhance its presence in the Indian Ocean to counter regional assertiveness, especially China’s “String of Pearls” strategy of port-building around India.
  • Improved Connectivity: Presently, Great Nicobar has limited connectivity, mainly via shipping and helicopters. The Greenfield airport is expected to significantly improve links with the Indian mainland and international cities.
  • Sustainable Tourism Promotion: The island’s biodiversity and tropical setting offer potential for eco-tourism, beach tourism, adventure sports, and diving.

Concerns Associated with the Project

Environmental Degradation

  • Deforestation: Over 13,000 hectares of forest and nearly 10 lakh trees will be cleared, affecting biodiversity and leading to soil erosion and sedimentation in coastal waters.
  • Loss of Mangroves: Coastal development could lead to the destruction of crucial mangrove ecosystems.
  • Wildlife Impact: Critical habitats of endangered species like the leatherback sea turtle and Nicobar megapode face serious disruption.
    • Both the leatherback turtle and the Nicobar megapode, species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • Light Pollution: Artificial lighting may affect turtle nesting and hatchlings on beaches.

Impact on Indigenous Tribes

  • The project overlaps with land used by the Shompen and Nicobarese, both Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • The Tribal Council withdrew its NOC in 2022, citing inadequate consultation and incomplete information.
  • Health Risk: Increased outside contact threatens the health and cultural integrity of the isolated Shompen tribe.

Seismic and Disaster Risks

  • The island lies in a high-risk seismic zone; a 2004 earthquake caused massive land subsidence.
  • Experts warn the area remains vulnerable to future quakes and tsunamis, raising concerns about infrastructure safety.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

  • The project area falls under Coastal Regulation Zone 1A, which protects ecologically sensitive areas such as coral reefs and mangroves.
  • Activities in this zone require stringent safeguards, which critics argue are being overlooked.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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