Sat Feb 21 17:16:17 UTC 2026: # Great Nicobar Island Project Receives Final Clearance Amidst Environmental Concerns

The Story:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given the green light to the controversial ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island’ project, an integrated infrastructure plan estimated to cost between ₹80,000-90,000 crore. This decision concludes a protracted legal battle between proponents of national interests and advocates for preserving the island’s sensitive ecosystem. The project, spearheaded by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO), includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a power plant, a township, and an international airport, requiring the diversion of 130.75 square kilometers of forest land. While the government emphasizes the project’s strategic importance and potential to generate over 1.28 lakh jobs by 2052, environmentalists have raised concerns about its impact on biodiversity, tribal rights, and seismic vulnerability.

Key Points:

  • The NGT concluded a legal battle and ruled that all environment safeguards are in place for the Great Nicobar Island Project.
  • The project, costing ₹80,000-90,000 crore, includes an ICTT, a power plant, a township, and an international airport.
  • 130.75 square kilometers of forest land will be diverted for the project.
  • The government argues the project is of strategic, defence, and national importance, countering foreign influence in the Indian Ocean.
  • Environmental concerns include coral translocation, impact on nesting grounds of endangered species like Leatherback Sea Turtles, and seismic risks.
  • The NGT considered concerns about tribal rights, noting that the project is designed not to displace any tribal habitation, but some tribal leaders claim coercion.
  • The NGT adopted a “balanced approach,” prioritizing national security and accepting the government’s environmental impact assessments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian government is prioritizing strategic and economic development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, even at the potential expense of environmental conservation.
  • The NGT‘s decision highlights the ongoing tension between environmental protection and national security interests in India.
  • The project’s long-term success hinges on effective implementation of environmental safeguards and protection of tribal rights, which remain areas of concern.

    Read More

Related News: