Relevance: GS III (Environment & Infrastructure) & GS II (Strategic Security) | Source: The Hindu
1. The Big News: Green Light for a Giant Project
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given permission for a massive ₹72,000 Crore project on Great Nicobar Island.
- Why is this big? This is India’s southernmost island. It is very remote, covered in thick rainforests, and home to isolated tribes. The government wants to turn it into a “Hong Kong of India” for trade and defense.
2. The Plan: What are we building?
The government plans to build four major things on this pristine island:
- A Big Port: An International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay. Think of it as a “bus stop” for giant cargo ships traveling between East and West.
- An Airport: A dual-use airport (Civilian + Military) to keep an eye on the Indian Ocean.
- A Power Plant: To provide electricity.
- A New City: A township for trade and tourism.
3. The Debate: Why are people worried?
- The Environment: To build this, we have to cut nearly 1 million trees in a rainforest. This destroys the home of unique animals like the Nicobar Megapode (a bird) and the nesting grounds of the Giant Leatherback Turtle.
- The Tribes: The island is home to the Shompen tribe. They are a PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) who live deep in the forest and have little contact with the outside world. Critics fear that bringing thousands of outsiders will expose them to diseases they have no immunity against.
- Safety: The island sits on the “Ring of Fire” (an area with many earthquakes). It was hit hard by the 2004 Tsunami. Building a massive city here is risky.
UPSC Value Box
| Term | Simple Definition |
| Galathea Bay | A bay on the southern tip of Great Nicobar. It is a critical nesting site for the Giant Leatherback Turtle (the world’s largest sea turtle). |
| Shompen Tribe | An isolated tribe native to Great Nicobar. They are hunter-gatherers and are listed as a PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group). |
| Indira Point | The southernmost point of India’s territory. It is located on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island. |
With reference to the “Great Nicobar Island,” consider the following statements:
- It is the southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
- It is the only home of the Shompen tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
- Mount Thullier is the highest peak on this island.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (d)
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