Relevance: GS Paper II – Governance; GS Paper III – Environment
Source: The Hindu, MoEFCC, Ajmal IAS
The Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project—comprising a transshipment port at Galathea Bay, a greenfield airport, township, and power plant—has moved ahead with key submissions made to the National Green Tribunal in 2025. Questions have emerged over the Environment Ministry’s fast-tracked clearances and gaps in due diligence.
Key Features & Concerns
Aspect | Details |
| Strategic relevance | Proximity to the Malacca Strait; aims to boost India’s shipping capacity |
| Project cost | ~₹81,000 crore |
| Forest impact | ~130 sq km diversion; over 1 million trees |
| Ecological sensitivity | Habitat of Nicobar megapode, leatherback turtle, saltwater crocodile |
| Tribal rights | Threat to Shompen (PVTG); implications under Forest Rights Act |
| Disaster risk | Island lies in high seismic and tsunami-prone zone |
| Procedural issues | Questions over EIA quality, CRZ compliance, and overlapping roles between MoEFCC and NITI Aayog |
Recent Developments
- NGT received a sealed expert committee report in 2025.
- Bidding for the port component advanced despite pending concerns.
- Ministry’s approvals are under scrutiny for speed and procedural consistency.
The Great Nicobar Project exemplifies India’s effort to balance strategic infrastructure development with the island’s ecological fragility and tribal rights.
For an in-depth analysis of the Great Nicobar Project, please refer to the following resource:
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