Great Nicobar Project

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sought a factual report from the Andaman and Nicobar administration after the Tribal Council alleged non-settlement of forest rights under the FRA, 2006, prior to diversion of land for the Great Nicobar Project.

Great Nicobar Project

Project Overview 

• Name: Great Nicobar Project
• Type: Multi-development initiative
• Timeline: Phased development over 30 years
• Clearance: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Nov 2022
• Estimated Cost: ?72,000 crore
• Purpose: Strategic infrastructure development, economic growth, and enhanced security presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Strategic Importance

• Enhances India’s strategic presence in the southern Bay of Bengal.
• Counters expansionist activities by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Secures maritime interests and monitors illegal fishing/poaching (particularly by Myanmar).
• Supports India’s Look East/Act East Policy and maritime domain awareness.

Key Infrastructure Components

• International Container Trans-shipment Terminal – to handle global shipping traffic.
• Greenfield International Airport – dual-use (civilian and military) for strategic mobility.
• Township Development – supporting residential and commercial needs.
• Power Plant (450 MVA) – hybrid model: gas and solar-based.
• Transportation Networks – roads, ports, and logistic facilities.

Geographical and Ecological Context

• Location: Southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar group; near Indira Point (<150 km from Indonesia).
• Topography: Mountain ranges up to 650 m, tropical wet evergreen forests, coastal plains.
• Protected Areas: Two national parks and a biosphere reserve.
• Biodiversity: Home to endangered species like leatherback sea turtles, endemic flora and fauna.

Indigenous Tribes and Social Considerations

• Shompen Tribe: ~237 members, hunter-gatherers; reside in tribal reserve.
• Nicobarese Tribe: ~1,094 members; part of the tribal reserve.
• Land Impact: 84 sq km proposed for denotification out of 751 sq km tribal reserve.
• Concerns: Cultural displacement, loss of traditional livelihoods, protection of tribal rights under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Environmental Impacts

• Deforestation: 13,075 hectares (15% of island area); ~9.64 lakh trees to be cut.
• Ecosystem Risk: Threat to forests, mangroves, wildlife habitats, and endemic species.
• Mitigation: Environmental management plans, compensatory afforestation, biodiversity conservation measures.

Seismic and Disaster Considerations

• Seismicity: High-risk zone; 2004 earthquake (9.2 Richter) affected region.
• Risk Assessment: Major earthquakes unlikely for 400–750 years; smaller tremors expected.
• Structural Safety: All infrastructure will adhere to National Building Code (NBC) earthquake-resistant norms.