3. Holistic Overview: NGT Clearance for the Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project

Summary of Key Highlights• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Relevant due to the presence of endemic species like the Great Nicobar Megapode and Leatherback turtles in the project area. Important Keypoints for UPSC • Geostrategic Importance: Great Nicobar is located near the \'Six Degree Channel,\' a major global shipping lane. The project enhances India\'s \'Act East Policy\' and maritime security. • Tribal Rights: Concerns persist regarding the impact on the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes, who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs); the project area overlaps with the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. • Environmental Trade-offs: The project involves the diversion of approximately 130 sq. km. of primary forest land and the translocation of coral reefs, sparking debates on \'Compensatory Afforestation\' in mainland India vs. island biodiversity loss. • The \'Precautionary Principle\': A core principle of environmental law which the NGT evaluated, concluding that the conditions laid down in the EC sufficiently address the risks. Conclusion The NGT’s decision underscores the primacy of national security and strategic economic interests when balanced against environmental objections, provided rigorous mitigation measures are in place. While the clearance paves the way for India to become a maritime heavyweight in the Indo-Pacific, the long-term success of the project will depend on the transparent implementation of environmental safeguards and the protection of the island\'s indigenous communities. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper I: Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna. • GS Paper II: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies (NGT); Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors. • GS Paper III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Infrastructure: Ports, Airports.• Judicial Green Signal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the environmental clearance (EC) for the ₹72,000-crore (revised estimates suggest escalation to ₹92,000-crore) mega-infrastructure project in Great Nicobar, citing \'strategic importance.\' • Project Components: The integrated project envisioned by NITI Aayog includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a gas and solar-based power plant, and a strategic township. • High-Powered Committee (HPC) Role: Following a 2023 NGT order, an HPC was formed to investigate concerns regarding coral reef colonies, leatherback turtle nesting sites, and the proximity of the project to ecologically protected zones. • Balanced Development Doctrine: The NGT emphasized a \'balanced approach,\' ruling that development at a strategic location should proceed with strict compliance to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, rather than being prohibited based on \'apprehensions.\' • Mitigation Safeguards: The tribunal noted that the EC conditions provide \'adequate safeguards,\' mandating the authorities to ensure full and strict compliance to protect the island\'s fragile biodiversity. • Geopolitical Significance: The project is positioned to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a major regional hub, competing with global ports like Singapore and Colombo, while strengthening India’s presence in the Malacca Strait. Key Definitions • Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ): A regulatory framework specifically for the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands to manage coastal stretches and protect the marine environment while allowing sustainable development. • Transshipment Port: A hub where cargo or containers are moved from one vessel to another while in transit to their final destination, often used to aggregate cargo from smaller ports for large mother-ships. • Environmental Clearance (EC): A mandatory sanction required from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for projects that have significant environmental impacts, as per the EIA Notification. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 21: The Right to Life includes the right to a healthy environment; the NGT often balances this with the \'Right to Development.\' • Article 48A: Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) mandating the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. • Article 51A(g): Fundamental Duty of citizens to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. • National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: Established the NGT for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests.