The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed authorities to strictly adhere to all conditions of environmental clearance (EC) while dismissing several petitions challenging the Great Nicobar Island development project. The tribunal said that sufficient safeguards are in place and ruled that there is no reason to stop or interfere with the project at this time, reports ANI.
In a wide-ranging order dated February 16, a bench headed by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava said a balanced perspective is needed that takes into account both the strategic importance of the project and its environmental impact.
What is Great Nicobar Mega Project?
Massive ₹The 81,000 crore Great Nicobar mega project, covering about 166 square kilometers, involves diversion of nearly 130 square kilometers of forest land and felling of nearly one million trees. The plan includes the construction of a transshipment terminal, an integrated township, a dual-use civilian and military airport and a 450 MVA gas and solar power plant.
The large-scale greenfield infrastructure has been conceptualized by the National Institute for the Transformation of India (NITI) Aayog and has received approval from India’s Union Cabinet in 2021. A key component is a deepwater port planned at Galathea Bay along the southern coast of Great Nicobar Island. The port will be overseen by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
By establishing a deep sea port and airport in Great Nicobar, the project is expected to strengthen the existing tri-service command in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It would allow India to place ships, aircraft and drones closer to vital sea lanes in the eastern Indian Ocean, strengthen surveillance of key sea lanes and expand the country’s strategic reach in the region, reports said.
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The NGT noted that during the previous round of litigation, it had decided not to interfere in environmental disposal and set up a high-powered committee to look into specific concerns. As these matters have since been reviewed and appropriate safeguards put in place, the Tribunal saw no reason to reconsider this permission.
Key concerns
Responding to the contention that part of the project encroaches on CRZ-IA areas where port activities are prohibited, the Tribunal relied on the on-site verification conducted by the National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management. The verification confirmed that no part of the project falls under CRZ-IA and the Tribunal noted that the project proponent is still required to comply with EC conditions that prohibit construction in closed zones.
The tribunal acknowledged that the integrated project, which includes an international container transshipment terminal, township development and a power plant, is of strategic, defense and economic importance to India, reiterating that all environmental safeguards must be strictly adhered to.
Reviewing the environmental concerns, the Tribunal ruled that the project did not breach the Island Coastal Regulatory Zone (ICRZ) notification of 2019. In terms of coral protection, it found that studies showed no significant coral reefs in the construction area of Galathea Bay. Coral colonies in nearby areas that could be affected will be carefully relocated under scientific supervision with ongoing monitoring to ensure their protection.
Economically, the terminal is said to bring benefits such as foreign exchange savings, increased foreign direct investment, increased activity at other Indian ports and improved logistics infrastructure, while raising environmental, social and geological concerns.
The Great Nicobar Island is considered to be one of the most diverse regions of India, with more than 85% of its area still covered by tropical rainforest. The island also lies in a highly seismic zone, located along the same megathrust fault line that caused the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
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Meanwhile, the Tribunal ruled that the issues raised in the second round of litigation had already been resolved through the safeguards in place and assessment by the High Performance Committee (HPC), allowing the project to move forward provided all EC conditions were strictly adhered to.
In its review of environmental concerns, it found no violations of the 2019 Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notice. In terms of coral protection, it noted that the studies showed no significant coral reefs in the actual construction area in Galathea Bay. Coral colonies in the vicinity that may be affected will be carefully relocated under scientific supervision, with ongoing monitoring continuing.
(With agency input)