Context: Recently, the Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) has flagged serious concerns about NITI Aayog’s project for Great Nicobar Island and has recommended it for grant of Terms of Reference (TOR) for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.

• The EAC was responding to a pre-feasibility report, ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, prepared for the NITI Aayog by the Gurugram-based consulting agency Aecom India Private Limited.

About the Project

• It was piloted by the NITI Aayog to leverage the strategic location and natural features of the island and also for the holistic and sustainable vision for Great Nicobar.
• It includes an international container transhipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, a power plant and a township complex spread over 166 sq. km. (mainly pristine coastal systems and tropical forests), and is estimated to cost Rs. 75,000 crores.

The proposal is pivoted along with three development zones.

• Zone 1: 102 sq km will be the financial district and medi-city; include an aerocity; a tourism and hospital district.
• Zone 2: 85 sq km of a pristine forest; leisure zone; film city; a residential district and a tourism Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
• Zone 3: 52 sq km of a pristine forest; a nature zone, further categorised into an exclusive forest resort, nature healing district and a nature retreat, on the western coast.

It is significant in terms of enhanced connectivity, economical benefits, social development and geopolitical and strategic benefits.

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) has been made the nodal agency.
• ANIIDCO, the Port Blair project proponent, is a government undertaking involved in activities such as tourism, trading and infrastructure development.
• In January 2021, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) denotified the entire Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to allow for the port there and an Environment Ministry Expert Committee approved a “zero extent” Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for the Galathea National Park to allow the use of land.

Action Points listed out by the Committee:

• There is a need for an independent assessment of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, a study on the impact of dredging, reclamation and port operations, including oil spills.
• The need for studies of alternative sites for the port with a focus on environmental and ecological impact, especially on turtles, analysis of risk-handling capabilities.
• A seismic and tsunami hazard map, a disaster management plan, details of labour, labour camps and their requirements, an assessment of the cumulative impact, and a hydro-geological study to assess impact on round and surface water regimes.

Suggestions

• Keeping in mind the complex ecological, social and geological vulnerabilities, the area is needed to be protected from ecological, environmental and biodiversity points of view.
• The existing protected area network in Great Nicobar should be expanded for the protection of Megapode which is not covered under the area yet.
• Megapodes, also known as incubator birds or mound-builders, are stocky, medium-large, chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet in the family Megapodiidae.
• It is a globally endangered bird unique to the Nicobars.
• More emphasis needs to be given to the official Shompen Policy of 2015 which noted that the welfare and integrity of these people should be given priority with regard to large-scale development proposals and these should be taken care of.
• There is a need to factor in issues of the geological volatility of these islands and a need for studies of alternative sites for the port.
• The NITI Aayog vision document itself should be re-examined for the rationale behind it and the processes under it.
• ANIIDCO should disclose details about its corporate environmental policy, a prescribed standard operating procedure to deal with environmental and forest violations and a compliance management system.