Why is it in the news?

• The Opposition party has raised serious concerns about the Great Nicobar project’s implications for the island’s indigenous inhabitants and fragile ecosystem.
• They have demanded an immediate suspension of all clearances and a thorough review of the project by relevant parliamentary committees.
• The party views the infra upgrade as a grave threat and argues for a more impartial assessment of its potential impacts on the environment and local communities.

Background

• Great Nicobar Island is home to two national parks, a biosphere reserve, and small populations of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal peoples.
• The island’s proximity to key maritime routes and its strategic location have made it a focal point for development, raising concerns over its environmental and social consequences.
• President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the archipelago highlighted the importance of engaging with indigenous communities and addressing their needs in the development plans.
• The project has faced legal scrutiny and challenges related to forest clearance, environmental impact assessment, and consultation with local tribal councils.
• The National Green Tribunal declined to interfere but called for a high-power committee to review the clearances, underscoring the complexities of balancing development goals with environmental protection and indigenous rights.

Infrastructural Development

• The proposed project aims to develop Great Nicobar Island through the implementation of a mega infrastructure project.
• It includes the construction of an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a township, and a gas and solar-based power plant over 16,610 hectares.
• The project is seen as crucial for the holistic development of Great Nicobar and leverage its strategic location for economic growth.

Strategic Importance

• Given its location in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region, the project holds strategic significance for India.
• This is particularly important due to concerns over the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s activities in the region and China’s attempts to expand its maritime presence.
• Development on Great Nicobar Island is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its naval presence and surveillance capabilities to counter regional security threats.

Environmental Concerns

• The project has faced criticism and opposition from various stakeholders, including wildlife biologists, conservationists, and local tribal councils, due to environmental concerns.
• Critics have highlighted potential threats to the local ecosystem, including deforestation, destruction of coral reefs, and impacts on vulnerable species like the Nicobar Megapode bird and leatherback turtles.
• There are also concerns about the project’s impact on the indigenous Shompen tribe, their rights, and the ecological balance of the island.