Ecological and Social Concerns Surrounding the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project
The Indian government has sanctioned a massive infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, including a transshipment terminal, airport, and township. While strategically significant for monitoring the Strait of Malacca, the project faces intense criticism for its ecological and social impact. It threatens the habitat of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes and involves clearing nearly 130 sq. km of pristine rainforest. Environmentalists argue that compensatory afforestation in Haryana cannot replace tropical rainforests. Concerns also persist regarding the displacement of indigenous tribes and the potential for 'genocide' due to contact with outsiders and loss of ancestral lands.
Key Points
- The project includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal at Galathea Bay, a strategic maritime location.
- Great Nicobar is home to two Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): the Shompen and the Nicobarese.
- The project involves the felling of approximately 9.64 lakh trees in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously stayed the project to allow a high-powered committee to revisit clearances.
Exam Facts
- The project cost is estimated at ₹72,000 crore and covers 166 sq. km (18% of the island).
- Galathea Bay is a crucial nesting site for the giant leatherback turtle.
- The Forest Rights Act, 2006, requires 'gram sabhas' consent for diverting forest land.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.