The Great Nicobar Island Development Project is one of India’s most ambitious integrated development initiatives with strategic, defence, economic, and ecological significance. It aims to position Great Nicobar as a major hub in the Indian Ocean Region.
What is Great Nicobar Island Development Project?
Core Components
- International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT): Capacity of 14.2 million TEUs.
- Greenfield International Airport.
- 450 MVA Gas + Solar-based Power Plant.
- Township Development: Spread over 16,610 hectares.
Strategic Importance
- Aims to transform Great Nicobar into a maritime and air connectivity hub in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Of defence and national importance with no threat to tribes, species, or eco-sensitivity of the region.
Environmental Scrutiny
- Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) conducted.
- ₹81.55 crore already allocated for wildlife conservation plans.
- Risk assessment included natural + anthropogenic disaster planning.
- Three Phases:
- Phase I (2025–35): 72.12 sq. km
- Phase II (2036–41): 45.27 sq. km
- Phase III (2042–47): 48.71 sq. km
Tribal Safeguards
- No displacement of Nicobarese or Shompen tribes.
- Project area includes 84.10 sq. km of Tribal Reserve;
- 11.032 sq. km already revenue land since 1972.
- 73.07 sq. km to be de-notified but 76.98 sq. km re-notified, resulting in net addition of 3.912 sq. km of tribal reserve.
- Consultations with Anthropological Survey of India, AAJVS, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- In sync with Jarawa Policy (2004) and Shompen Policy (2015) ensuring welfare and integrity of PVTGs.
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338A(9)) consulted.
Ecological Safeguards
- Forest Diversion: 130.75 sq. km (1.82% of ANI forest area).
- Compensatory afforestation in Haryana (97.30 sq. km identified).
- Estimated 18.65 lakh trees, but 7.11 lakh max. to be felled.
- 65.99 sq. km green buffer retained – no tree felling.
- Wildlife Corridors: 8 viaducts planned for safe passage of turtles, snakes, crabs, crocodiles, arboreal species.
Institutions Involved
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
- Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
- Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
Need for Project
- To enhance strategic, defence, and economic presence in the IOR.
- Will boost infrastructure, employment, connectivity, and trade.
- Covers only 2% of ANI area ensuring balance of economy + ecology.
About Great Nicobar Island
Geographical Location
- Southernmost island of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal.
- ANI = 836 islands, divided by Ten Degree Channel (150 km wide).
- Andamans → North
- Nicobars → South
- Indira Point (southern tip of Great Nicobar) = India’s southernmost point, <150 km from Indonesia’s northernmost island.
Ecosystem
- Tropical wet evergreen forests, ranges up to 650 m altitude, coastal plains.
- 2 National Parks + 1 Biosphere Reserve.
- Flagship Species: Leatherback Sea Turtle.
Tribes of Nicobar
- Shompen Tribe – hunter-gatherers relying on forest & marine resources.
- Nicobarese Tribe – largely resettled post-2004 tsunami.
- Current Population: ~237 Shompen + ~1,094 Nicobarese.
- 751 sq. km Tribal Reserve safeguarded for their habitation.
Key Facts
- Great Nicobar Island: Largest island in the Nicobar group, southernmost territory of India. Home to Indira Point – India’s southernmost tip.
- Indira Point submerged during 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands UT comes under Calcutta High Court jurisdiction.
- 10° Channel separates Andaman from Nicobar Islands.
- 6° Channel (Great Channel) separates Great Nicobar from Sumatra (Indonesia).
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 governs forest diversion & afforestation.
- Jarawa Policy (2004): Protects Jarawas as PVTG, with AAJVS as trustee.
- Shompen Policy (2015): Prioritises welfare of Shompens before large-scale development.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Capital: Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair; trategic location – controls access to Malacca Strait; Key naval base – INS Baaz (Campbell Bay).
- Biosphere Reserves in ANI: Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO).
- TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit): Standard measure used in shipping for container capacity.