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).

• 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.

• 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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