A. Issue in Brief
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) disposed of challenges to the 2022 Environmental Clearance (EC) for the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, citing strategic importance and finding “no good ground to interfere”, while directing strict compliance with EC conditions.
- The project includes a transshipment port, international airport, power plant, and township on Great Nicobar Island; concerns raised include coral reefs, leatherback turtle nesting, and siting near ecologically sensitive zones.
Relevance
GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
- Environmental governance, role of NGT, Centre–State–judiciary interface, transparency vs national security.
GS 3 (Environment, Infrastructure, Security)
- EIA regime, biodiversity conservation, coastal regulation, strategic infrastructure, maritime security (SAGAR, Indo-Pacific).
B. What the NGT Held ?
- Relied on the findings of a High-Powered Committee (HPC) earlier constituted to examine coral reefs, turtle nesting sites, and protected zones; found no error in the Terms of Reference and no additional substantial issues.
- Accepted the Union government’s position that the HPC report contains strategic/defence-sensitive information; limited disclosure was considered justified.
- Emphasised a “balanced approach”—permit development at a strategic location while ensuring compliance with the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 (ICRZ).
- Directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure coral protection/regeneration and to prepare an implementation plan; placed responsibility on MoEFCC to avoid shoreline erosion.
C. Constitutional / Legal Dimension
- Article 48A & 51A(g): State and citizen duties to protect the environment.
- EIA Notification, 2006: Norm of three-season baseline data; deviation justified by the government on geomorphological grounds (no high-erosion sites).
- Forest clearance issues related to the project are under judicial scrutiny before the Calcutta High Court—illustrating multi-forum environmental adjudication.
- ICRZ 2019 provides the regulatory framework for coastal/island development with safeguards for fragile ecosystems.
D. Environmental Dimension
- Biodiversity hotspots: Great Nicobar hosts tropical rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and endemic fauna; nearby habitats support leatherback turtles (critically endangered).
- Risks include habitat fragmentation, dredging impacts, turbidity affecting corals, and shoreline morphology changes.
- Proposed mitigation: coral transplantation/regeneration, controlled construction windows, and erosion management—effectiveness depends on scientific design and monitoring.
E. Governance / Administrative Dimension
- Strategic rationale: Location near major East-West shipping lanes enhances maritime logistics, SAGAR vision, and Indo-Pacific presence.
- Capacity challenge: Ensuring credible MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) for EC compliance over long project timelines.
- Transparency vs security dilemma: Limited disclosure can protect national interests but may weaken public trust and participatory governance.
F. Economic / Security Dimension
- Aims to position India as a regional transshipment hub, potentially reducing dependence on foreign ports and improving trade competitiveness.
- Infrastructure build-out could catalyse island connectivity, tourism, and employment, but requires cost–benefit realism given ecological externalities.
- Dual-use value (civil + defence logistics) strengthens the national security case.
G. Social / Ethical Dimension
- Concerns of local communities and indigenous groups regarding displacement, cultural impacts, and livelihood transitions.
- Ethical balance between national development and ecological stewardship; principle of inter-generational equity applies strongly in island ecosystems.
H. Key Criticisms / Gaps
- Baseline data adequacy (single-season EIA) contested by applicants; seasonality matters for marine ecology.
- Cumulative impact assessment across port, airport, township, and power plant may be under-specified.
- Carrying capacity of a small island system and disaster risks (cyclones, tsunamis) require robust modelling.
I. Way Forward
- Establish independent scientific oversight panels for coral/turtle safeguards with public summaries (non-sensitive).
- Deploy real-time environmental monitoring (turbidity, reef health indices, shoreline change mapping via satellites).
- Phase construction with adaptive management triggers—pause/modify if ecological thresholds are crossed.
- Strengthen community consultation, benefit-sharing, and grievance redress.
- Integrate disaster-resilient design and strict waste/water management for island sustainability.
J. Exam Orientation
Prelims Pointers
- NGT is a statutory body (NGT Act, 2010) for expeditious environmental justice.
- ICRZ 2019 governs coastal/island development norms.
- EIA 2006 typically requires multi-season data; exceptions may be argued case-specifically.
- Leatherback turtle: among the largest sea turtles; globally threatened.
Practice Question (15 marks)
- “Strategic infrastructure in ecologically fragile regions requires a calibrated balance between national security and environmental sustainability.” Discuss with reference to the Great Nicobar project.
