Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project: Strategic and Ecological Dimensions – Prelims Specific

Introduction

The Great Nicobar Project is a large-scale development initiative aimed at building a major transshipment port, an airport, and a power plant on the Great Nicobar Island. It has become a significant focal point for UPSC Prelims due to the intersection of national security, environmental protection, and tribal welfare.

Why in News?

• The project has sparked widespread debate over the rigor of its environmental and social impact assessments.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for irreversible loss of biodiversity and the impact on the habitat of indigenous populations.

Static Link

• The issue is linked to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• It involves the concept of the Precautionary Principle, which argues that if an action has a risk of causing harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof falls on those taking the action.
• UPSC often tests knowledge on the legal protection of tribal groups (PVTGs) and the classification of protected areas (National Parks vs Biosphere Reserves).

Institutional Link

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The nodal agency for granting environmental clearances.
• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): A statutory body responsible for approving projects within or near protected areas.
• NITI Aayog: Has provided the vision for the holistic development of the islands.

Core Prelims Facts

• Location: Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar archipelago.
• Tribal Group: The Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), are indigenous to this region.
• Ecological Landmark: The island hosts the Galathea National Park, which is a core part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
• Wildlife: The island serves as a critical nesting site for the Giant Leatherback Turtle.

Important Terms and Concepts

• Transshipment Hub: A port where goods are transferred from large vessels to smaller ones for distribution to other destinations.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG): A sub-classification of Scheduled Tribes known for their high level of vulnerability, pre-agricultural lifestyle, and declining population.
• Precautionary Principle: A core principle of international environmental law requiring preventive action in the face of scientific uncertainty regarding environmental damage.

Bodies / Organisations / Institutions

• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): Chaired by the Prime Minister; its standing committee provides clearance for projects in protected areas.
• NITI Aayog: An executive body that acts as a think tank for the Government of India.

Places / Geography / Mapping Points

• Great Nicobar Island: Located at the southern tip of the Nicobar group, close to the Six Degree Channel, a vital maritime trade route.
• Six Degree Channel: Separates the Great Nicobar Island from the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Schemes / Laws / Reports / Conventions

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The umbrella legislation under which environmental impact norms are framed.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications: Govern development activities in coastal areas to protect marine ecosystems.

Possible UPSC Prelims Traps

• Tribal Confusion: UPSC may ask to differentiate between the tribes of the Andaman Islands (e.g., Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge) and those of the Nicobar Islands (e.g., Shompen).
• Statutory vs. Executive: NBWL is a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, whereas NITI Aayog is an executive (non-constitutional, non-statutory) body.
• Absolute Statements: Watch for statements claiming the project has "no impact" on tribal territories or that it is entirely outside the purview of environmental laws.

One-Minute Revision Notes

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost point of the Nicobar Islands.
• Shompen are a PVTG inhabiting this island.
• Galathea National Park is located here.
• The project aims to develop a transshipment port and related infrastructure.
• The MoEFCC and NBWL are the key bodies regulating the project's environmental footprint.

Practice MCQ for Prelims

1. With reference to the Great Nicobar Island, consider the following statements:

1. The Shompen tribe is officially classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

2. The Galathea National Park is located within the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.

3. The island is located to the north of the Andaman group of islands.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar archipelago, located far to the south of the Andaman Islands.