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Great Nicobar Project

Source: The Hindu
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Overview

  1. About Great Nicobar Project
  2. Environmental Impact of the Project

Why in News?

Great Nicobar Project may see 9.64 lakh trees felled to enable the construction of a trans-shipment port, an international airport, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant in the Great Nicobar island.

About Great Nicobar Project


  • The project received environmental permission from the central government in 2022, and it will be implemented over the course of the following 30 years in stages.
  • According to a vision plan created by the NITI Aayog, the project is being led by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
  • Great Nicobar Island is gearing up for an ambitious development project spanning an extensive land area of 16,610 hectares.
  • This all-encompassing initiative will include a world-class international container transshipment terminal, a brand new greenfield international airport, township development, and a power plant that will run on a combination of gas and solar energy.
  • According to a report by NITI Aayog, the proposed port will allow Great Nicobar to emerge as a significant player in cargo trans-shipment and actively participate in the global maritime economy.
  • The island’s strategic location is equidistant from Colombo, Port Klang (Malaysia), and Singapore.
  • It is situated in close proximity to the crucial East-West international shipping corridor.
  • The development of Great Nicobar has been deemed critical for national security and the consolidation of the Indian Ocean Region since the 1970s.
  • In recent years, the growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean has further underscored the urgency of this project.

Project features for Phase 1: Two breakwaters, 400m wide navigational channel, 800m dia turning circle, total berth length of about 2.3km translating to 7 berths, 125 Ha for container yard, container handling equipment including RMQCs and RTGs, provision to develop 2 liquid cargo berths

Environmental Impact of the Project


Impact

  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change stressed that the Great Nicobar Project would cause the cutting down of an estimated 9.64 lakh trees in the designated forest area.
  • A potential reduction in the number of trees to be cut down might result from the preservation of 15% of the development area as green and open areas.
  • A significant concern raised is the potential loss of biodiversity
  • Safeguarding critical taxa and their habitats, including species such as Leatherback Turtles, Nicobar Megapodes, Coral Reefs, Saltwater Crocodiles, and Mangroves took priority.
  • Project will impact the potential loss of carbon sequestration capacity impacting carbon emission.

Measures Taken

  • To address the loss of biodiversity government agencies combined will prepare a Biodiversity conservation or management plan.
  • Compensatory afforestation, which aims to mitigate the impact of tree felling.
  • Haryana government has agreed to provide an area of 261.5 sq.km for Compensatory Afforestation, contributing to the restoration of green cover in the region.
  • The development plan allocates 65.99 sq.km of the total proposed area for green development, where no tree felling is envisioned.

Andaman and Nicobar Island

  • Location
    • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal.
    • They are a part of the Union Territory of India.
  • Geographical Area
    • The territory consists of 572 islands, out of which 38 are inhabited.
    • The total land area of the islands is approximately 8,249 square kilometers.
  • Capital
    • The capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair, which is situated on South Andaman Island.
  • Administrative Divisions
    • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are divided into three districts – North and Middle Andaman, South Andaman, and Nicobar.
  • Population
    • As of my last update, the population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was estimated to be around 4.5 lakhs (450,000), with various indigenous tribes living in the islands, such as the Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, and Great Andamanese.
  • Language:
    • The official languages of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
    • English is also widely used for official and administrative purposes.
  • Economy
    • The economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is primarily based on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
    • The islands are known for their beautiful beaches, lush forests, and coral reefs, attracting tourists from all over the world.
  • Transportation
    • The islands are connected to the mainland of India by air and sea.
    • Regular flights operate from major Indian cities to Port Blair.
    • Ships also connect the islands to cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam.
  • Biodiversity
    • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to a rich and diverse range of flora and fauna.
    • The islands have several protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, to preserve their unique ecosystem.

Region In Map

 


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