The Great Nicobar Project

Why in News?

The Union government has sought a factual report from the Andaman and Nicobar administration after the Tribal Council of Nicobar alleged forest rights under the FRA, 2006, were unsettled before diverting 13,000 hectares for the Great Nicobar Island project.

Description:

• Launched/Cleared: Cleared by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) in Nov 2022.
• Nature: Multi-development, long-term project → 30 years (phased).
• Cost: ~₹72,000 crore.
• Strategic location: Great Nicobar Island, southernmost in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, near 10° Channel, close to Indira Point (<150 km from Indonesia).

Key Objectives:

1. Strategic & Security:
   1. Counter China’s expansionist activities in the Indian Ocean.
   1. Safeguard maritime interests, prevent poaching by Myanmarese fishers.
2. Infrastructure Development:
   1. International container trans-shipment terminal.
   1. Greenfield International Airport (dual civilian–military).
   1. Township development.
   1. 450 MVA power plant (gas + solar).

Geographical & Ecological Context:

• Island features: Tropical wet evergreen forests, hills up to 650 m, coastal plains.
• Biodiversity:
  • 2 National Parks + 1 Biosphere Reserve.
  • Habitat of Leatherback sea turtle (endangered).
• Seismicity:
  • Part of active seismic zone.
  • The 2004 earthquake (magnitude 9.2) caused massive destruction.
  • Probability of future major quakes lower (400–750 years), but smaller quakes likely.

Indigenous Tribes Impact:

• Shompen: ~237 (hunter-gatherers, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group – PVTG).
• Nicobarese: ~1,094 (Scheduled Tribe).
• Tribal Reserve: 751 sq. km (84 sq. km proposed to be denotified for project).
• Concerns: Cultural erosion, livelihood disruption, displacement risk.

Environmental Concerns:

• Deforestation: ~13,075 ha of forests to be diverted (~15% of island area).
• Tree felling: ~9.64 lakh trees.
• Ecological risks: Coral reefs, mangroves, turtle nesting sites threatened.
• Mitigation: Compliance with National Building Code (earthquake resistance), environmental safeguards promised.

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