Dismissing environmental concerns, the Union Environment Ministry reiterated on Friday that the proposed Great Nicobar Island development project balances port-led growth with calibrated environmental safeguards and protection of indigenous communities.
Sharing details of the strategic project, the Union government said it seeks to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic maritime and economic hub by leveraging its proximity (about 40 nautical miles) to the East–West shipping route and reducing dependence on foreign transshipment ports keeping in view the defence and national security purpose.
"The project ensures optimised land use, coordinated ecological management, and long-term regional benefits, while remaining fully compliant with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations and statutory approvals," an official statement said.
"Key components of the projects include: An international Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit); greenfield International Airport (4,000 Peak Hour Passengers-PHP); a 450 MVA (Megavolt Ampere) gas and solar-based power plant and a new township spanning 16,610 hectares," the statement added.
Earlier, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and took an aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, alleging that it plans to "destroy" the island's rich forest assets by felling thousands of trees.
In a two-minute video on social media platform X, LoP Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the project, describing it as "one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against this country's natural and tribal heritage in our lifetime".
Countering environmental concerns raised over the project, the Union government said the development follows a regulated environmental framework, with clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006, and Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, 42 compliance conditions, diversion of 1.82 per cent of island forest cover, and compensatory afforestation planned over 97.30 square km.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool to ensure proper use of natural resources for sustainable development.
It is mandatory for specified categories of projects, as per the schedule of Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
Expert Committees for different sectors examine project proposals, assess environmental impacts, and recommend approval or rejection.
The Union government said tribal welfare remains central to the proposed project, with no displacement proposed for Shompen and Nicobarese communities and a net increase in notified tribal reserve area through re-notification measures.
"The Great Nicobar Project is fully aligned with the Shompen Policy of 2015 and the Jarawa Policy of 2004, which mandate that large-scale development proposals prioritise the welfare and integrity of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and follow a structured consultation process," the statement added.
The Great Nicobar Project is being implemented in three phases -- Phase I (2025–35, 72.12 square km); Phase II (2036–41, 45.27 square km) and Phase III (2042–47, 48.71 square km).
The project covers a total area of 166.1 square km, which includes 35.35 square km of revenue land and 130.75 square km of forest land.
"This phased approach allows for systematic infrastructure development, while ensuring that environmental safeguards and tribal welfare measures are effectively integrated at each stage," the statement said.
"The Great Nicobar Project will divert 1.82 per cent of the total forest cover of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The estimated number of trees in this area is 18.65 lakh, though the maximum number expected to be felled is 7.11 lakh within 49.86 square km of forest," it added.
"The tree felling will be carried out in line with the proposed phase-wise development of the key projects. Importantly, 65.99 square km of land will be preserved as green zones with no tree felling, ensuring ecological balance," it said.
"Since the islands already have more than 75 per cent forest cover, compensatory afforestation cannot be carried out locally. Instead, afforestation is planned in Haryana, with 97.30 square km of land identified to compensate for Phase I diversion of 48.65 square km forest. Additionally, under, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', 24 lakh trees have been planted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands," the official statement added.
