Great Nicobar Island Project Cleared by NGT

 

Great Nicobar Island Project Cleared by NGT 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cleared the way for the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, emphasizing its strategic importance. This development is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims, Mains (GS-III Environment & Internal Security), and Essay.

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📌 Quick Background

• Project Location: Great Nicobar Island, southernmost island of India

• Estimated Cost: ₹92,000 crore

• Key Components:

  • International transshipment port

  • Greenfield airport

  • Power plant

  • Township

• Clearances:

  • Environmental Clearance (EC): Granted in 2022

  • NGT Review: Challenges filed citing ecological concerns

  • NGT Decision (2026): Refused to interfere

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⚖️ What Did the NGT Say?

The Bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava ruled:

✅ No “good ground to interfere”

✅ “Adequate safeguards” already included in EC conditions

✅ High-Powered Committee (HPC) has addressed pending issues

✅ Authorities must ensure “full and strict compliance”

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🌿 Environmental Concerns Raised

Applicants flagged:

• Protection of coral reefs

• Leatherback turtle nesting sites

• Alleged construction in CRZ-IA (ecologically sensitive zone)

• EIA conducted for one season only (vs. usual three)

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🧪 Government’s Counter-Arguments

• Three-season EIA not required

  Claim: No high-erosion sites in Andaman & Nicobar

• Ground truthing done

  HPC found no project area in CRZ-IA

• EC already includes mitigation safeguards

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🌊 NGT’s Environmental Safeguards Emphasized

The Tribunal directed authorities to:

• Protect coral reefs

• Undertake coral regeneration using proven scientific methods

• Prevent shoreline erosion

• Ensure no loss of sandy beaches (critical for turtle nesting)

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🛡️ Strategic Importance of Project

Why the government stresses urgency:

• Great Nicobar lies near Malacca Strait (major global shipping route)

• Enhances India’s:

  • Maritime trade competitiveness

  • Naval presence in Indo-Pacific

  • Regional logistics hub potential

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🏹 Local & Tribal Issues

Indigenous communities:

• Nicobarese

• Shompen (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group – PVTG)

Allegations:

❗ Rights over forest land not fully settled

❗ Claims of coercion to surrender ancestral lands

👉 Forest Clearance aspects under challenge before Calcutta High Court

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🧠 UPSC Relevance

Prelims

Possible areas:

• NGT functions & powers

• CRZ / ICRZ Notification 2019

• Leatherback turtle conservation status

• PVTGs

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Mains (GS-III)

Themes:

• Development vs Environment debate

• Coastal ecosystem protection

• Strategic infrastructure & national security

• Tribal rights & Forest Rights Act (FRA)

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Essay Topics

• “Balancing ecological sustainability with strategic development”

• “Island ecosystems under development pressure”

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🔍 Key Takeaways for Aspirants

✔ NGT prioritised strategic considerations + safeguards

✔ EC conditions seen as legally sufficient

✔ Environmental mitigation now hinges on compliance

✔ Tribal rights & forest clearance still contentious