INTRODUCTION

• In March 2021, NITI Aayog unveiled a ₹72,000 crore plan called ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island as part of Maritime India Vision 2030, to be implemented by ANIIDCO.

The project comprises four key components including an international container terminal, airport, power plant and township. 

The project aims to transform the Andaman and Nicobar (ANI) into a pivotal economic hub.These interconnected initiatives form the cornerstone of the new city and its comprehensive master plan.

Great Nicobar Island

• Archipelago: ANI are a cluster of 836 islands, split into two groups — the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south — by the 150-km wide Ten Degree Channel. Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest island of the Nicobar group.

• Location: Great Nicobar is a densely forested island spanning 350 square miles situated approximately 800 miles east of Chennai in India.

• Habitation: The island is home to two tribal communities — the Shompen and the Nicobarese, who number less than 1000. Settlers from mainland India number around 6,000.. 

• Land Use: It is largely composed of national parks, protected forests, and tribal reserve areas, with over 95% of its land designated as such.

• Biosphere Reserve: The UNESCO-recognized Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, which covers much of the island, is home to unique tropical evergreen forests and a rich biodiversity of 650 plant species and over 1800 animal species, including many endemic species.

• National Parks: The island includes Campbell Bay National Park and Galathea National Park, both integral parts of the biosphere reserve. 

Importance

• Boost to Infrastructural growth:The extensive infrastructure project, overseen by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), aims to incorporate 

• Galathea Bay International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT)

• Great Nicobar International Airport capable of handling 4,000 passengers per hour during peak times

• A residential township

• A gas and solar-powered power plant across an area spanning 16,610 hectares.

• Strategic Importance:The Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region hold significant strategic and security importance for India, particularly as China aims to extend its presence in the area. 

• Naval Force: Buildup of Chinese naval forces at critical Indo-Pacific choke points such as Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits. 

• Military Facility: Development of a military facility on Coco Islands (Myanmar), located just 55 km north of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  
  

• Economic Advantage:Roughly equidistant from Colombo in Sri Lanka to the southwest, and Port Klang in Malaysia and Singapore to the southeast, Great Nicobar Island is situated near the Malacca Strait—a crucial route connecting the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. 

• The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) is anticipated to enable Great Nicobar to integrate into the regional and global maritime economy as a significant hub for cargo transshipment. 

• A planned "greenfield city" aims to harness the island's potential in both maritime commerce and tourism.
  
  

Concerns

• Tectonic vulnerability:The port and project site is located in a seismic zone category 5 within the "ring of fire," known for frequent earthquakes. 

• Example: The area experienced a significant subsidence of about 15 feet during the December 2004 tsunami, highlighting its high seismic risk and necessitating careful planning and mitigation for development projects.

• Destruction of rich biodiverse area - Since receiving final environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in November 2022, the project has drawn criticism from environmentalists and anthropologists.

• Threat to Marine Ecosystem:

• Inaccurate Environmental Data: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified 117 coral species in Galathea Bay, while the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) claims no corals exist.

• Endangered Turtle Habitat: The National Marine Turtle Action Plan identifies Galathea Bay as a critical nesting site for the endangered Leatherback sea turtle. Coastal development projects like the proposed one can significantly disrupt nesting patterns and endanger these turtle populations

• Impact on Flora and Fauna:

• Denotification: The Indian government officially denotified two wildlife sanctuaries: the Galathea Bay wildlife sanctuary and the Megapode wildlife sanctuary

• Biodiversity Loss: The project threatens the rich biodiversity of Galathea National Park, home to 648 plant species and 330 animal species, including endangered and endemic fauna like the Nicobar wild pig, tree shrew, crested serpent eagle, paradise flycatcher, and megapode.

• Deforestation: The planned felling of nearly a million trees across a vast 130 square kilometre area will lead to significant deforestation and disrupt the delicate rainforest ecosystem. 

• Mangrove loss: The island is set to lose between 12 to 20 hectares of its mangrove habitat, placing around 960,000 trees in jeopardy of being cut down. This loss stems from the redirection of approximately 130 square kilometres of forest land, a move countered by plans for afforestation in Haryana's Aravalli region. 

• Haryana has a poor track record in forest conservation and also has plans to bring in a jungle safari in place.

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• Adverse impact on Indigenous tribal community: Experts from various fields have raised concerns with the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST) about the 'Great Nicobar Project' and its potential detrimental effects on the indigenous population.

• Encroachment : The total area of the Great Nicobar Island's tribal reserve is 751.01 square kilometers.The proposed development area covers a total of 166.10 square kilometres. Importantly, 84.10 square kilometres of the proposed development area fall within the tribal reserve itself. This means over half (50.6%) of the project area is located on tribal reserve land.

• Reclamation of ancestral land affected: Despite the Great Nicobarese people's efforts to reclaim ancestral lands deemed "uninhabited" by NITI Aayog's plan, the government has consistently disregarded their requests since their post-tsunami resettlement. This large-scale project further hinders their endeavours.

• Disruption of Essential Resources: The project threatens vital riparian (riverside) areas and forested lands crucial for the Shompens way of life and could significantly impact their hunting, fishing, and gathering practices.

• Threat to Tribes: The project poses a significant risk to the welfare and existence of the Shompen, an indigenous community identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, as well as to the Nicobarese, classified as a Scheduled Tribe. They will be exposed to new diseases.

• Violation of legal rights: The Administration neglected to adhere to legal obligations.

• Failed Consultation :The administration seems to have violated legal requirements for consultation with the Tribal Council of the Islands.

• Objections: The Tribal Council of Great Nicobar Island specifically objects to the Project. They claim they were pressured into giving initial approval ("No Objection" letter) through misleading information and their initial approval has now been withdrawn.

• Violation of constitution:There are allegations that the administration bypassed the legally required consultation with the Scheduled Tribes Commission, as stipulated by Article 338A (9) of the Constitution.
  
  

• Denotification of Tribal Area: 

• Conditional Approval: The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs issued a "no objection certificate" on November 18, 2020 subject to compliance with the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA)

• Documents withheld: Information regarding the environmental clearance process and its appraisal, typically a publicly accessible document, has been withheld from public view.

• Rising Population Pressure: The development of townships and construction activities will lead to a significant increase in the population of the island. According to a pre-feasibility report, the population is projected to reach 52,000 by 2025 with the initiation of the project, and 165,000 by 2040.
  
  

WAY FORWARD

Ensure Transparent Process: Transparency in large-scale projects is significant as it provides stakeholders, including the public, environmental organisations, and affected communities, with accurate information on the project's scope, environmental risks, and proposed mitigation measures.



Inclusiveness In Decision Making: Inclusiveness in decision-making by collaborating with civil society in environmental concerns enriches policy outcomes by integrating diverse perspectives and expertis

CONCLUSION

Balanced and sustainable development in Nicobar Island is crucial for preserving its unique environment and supporting its indigenous communities, such as the Shompen and Nicobarese.Striking a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation

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Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
Conservation Environment Andaman & Nicobar