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
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- 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.
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- 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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