Great Nicobar Project

Great Nicobar Project

Context

In recent developments, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) granted environmental clearance to the Great Nicobar Project. The Tribunal concluded that primary environmental challenges have been addressed through mitigation plans, emphasizing that the project is a "vital necessity" for India’s national security and economic infrastructure.

About the News

Project Overview:

• Location: Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost island of the Nicobar archipelago.
• Investment: Estimated at ₹92,000 Crore (revised upward from the initial ₹72,000 Crore).
• Core Components:
  • International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT): A deep-sea port to facilitate global trade.
  • International Airport: Designed for both civilian and strategic defense use.
  • Gas and Solar Power Plant: To ensure energy self-sufficiency for the island.
  • Township and Area Development: Creating an urban ecosystem to support the workforce and security personnel.

Geographical & Strategic Framework

• Andaman vs. Nicobar: The Andaman group lies to the North, while the Nicobar group is situated to the South.
• The 10 Degree Channel: This specific latitude separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
• Indira Point: Located at the southernmost tip of Great Nicobar, it marks the southernmost point of Indian territory.

Strategic Significance:

• Malacca Strait Proximity: The island sits near the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca, a primary maritime chokepoint connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• Geopolitical Balancing: Enhances India's "Act East" policy and serves as a vital counterweight to increasing foreign naval presence (specifically China) in the Bay of Bengal and Myanmar’s Coco Islands.

Environmental & Social Concerns

Ecological Risks:

• Biodiversity Loss: Concerns over the diversion of pristine rainforests and damage to Coral Reefs in the Andaman Sea.
• Endangered Fauna: Potential destruction of nesting sites for Leatherback Turtles at Galathea Bay and threats to the Nicobar Megapode (a rare mound-building bird).

Tribal Rights:

• PVTG Displacement: Critics highlight the impact on the Shompen tribe (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) and the Nicobarese communities, fearing the loss of traditional hunting grounds and cultural identity.

NGT’s Observations:

• The project does not violate Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
• Mandatory measures for coral regeneration and the establishment of new turtle nesting sanctuaries must be implemented to offset ecological damage.

Challenges

• Seismic Vulnerability: The region is highly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis (as seen in 2004), raising concerns about the long-term durability of heavy infrastructure.
• Compensatory Afforestation: Critics argue that planting trees in mainland India cannot replace the unique, ancient tropical ecosystem of the Nicobar Islands.
• Balancing Act: Ensuring "Holistic Development" while maintaining the "Precautionary Principle" of environmental law.

Way Forward

• Rigorous Monitoring: Establish an independent committee to oversee the implementation of environmental safeguards in real-time.
• Inclusive Governance: Ensure the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes are consulted continuously to prevent involuntary displacement or loss of livelihood.
• Technological Integration: Utilize eco-friendly construction technology to minimize the carbon footprint of the port and township.
• Strategic Synergy: Align the project with India’s broader maritime security architecture to maximize the ₹92,000 Crore investment.

Conclusion

The Great Nicobar Project represents a significant shift toward prioritizing maritime strategy and economic connectivity. While the NGT clearance provides the legal green light, the project's success hinges on India's ability to prove that large-scale industrial growth can coexist with the preservation of one of the world's most delicate ecological and tribal frontiers.