{"id":66912,"date":"2026-02-17T17:58:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=66912"},"modified":"2026-02-17T18:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:30:51","slug":"ngt-upholds-ec-great-nicobar-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-02-2026\/ngt-upholds-ec-great-nicobar-project","title":{"rendered":"NGT Upholds Environmental Clearance For Great Nicobar Mega Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure; Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, a Bench of the <strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)<\/strong> cleared the way for the <strong>Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project,<\/strong> noting that \u2018considering the strategic importance\u2019 of it and \u2018other relevant considerations\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Great Nicobar Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a large-scale infrastructure initiative conceived by <strong>NITI Aayog<\/strong>, formally called as the <strong>Great Nicobar Island Development Project<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is implemented through the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDC)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d9deda\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"531\" height=\"339\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-83.png\" alt=\"great nicobar project\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-66913\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d9deda; width:337px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-83.png 531w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-83-300x192.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 531px) 100vw, 531px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aims to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic economic and maritime hub.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The project involves diversion of forest land and large-scale infrastructure development, raising environmental concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Components:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT)<\/strong> at Galathea Bay;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greenfield international airport<\/strong> (civil and military use);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrated township<\/strong> for phased population growth;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>450-MVA gas and solar-based power plant.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Significance:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Located near the <strong>Malacca Strait<\/strong>, a key global shipping route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intended to strengthen India\u2019s <strong>maritime trade capacity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhances India\u2019s <strong>defence and geopolitical presence<\/strong> in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About Great Nicobar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the <strong>southernmost island of India<\/strong>, part of the <strong>Nicobar group of islands<\/strong> in the Union Territory of <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It lies close to the <strong>Malacca Strait<\/strong>, one of the world\u2019s busiest maritime trade routes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indira Point<\/strong>, India\u2019s southernmost tip, is located here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a part of a <strong>UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is ecologically fragile and <strong>seismically sensitive (Zone V).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Petitions and Allegations Before NGT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The project\u00a0 relied on limited baseline data, violating the <strong>Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around <strong>700 hectares<\/strong> allegedly fell within ecologically sensitive or prohibited ICRZ areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There was <strong>non-compliance with the NGT\u2019s 2023 order<\/strong> directing a revisit of the <strong>Environmental Clearance (EC).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other Concerns:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Potential impact on <strong>coral reefs, turtle nesting sites, and biodiversity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risks due to <strong>seismic and tsunami vulnerability<\/strong> (2004 tsunami impact).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concerns over rights and livelihoods of <strong>Shompen and Nicobarese communities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>NGT disposed of these petitions<\/strong> with its latest ruling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Issues Examined by the Tribunal &amp; Its Environmental Clearance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Protection of Coral Reefs: <\/strong>The NGT concluded that <strong>no coral reefs exist within the core project area, <\/strong>based on submissions from the <strong>Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scattered coral formations, if present, will be <strong>translocated<\/strong> as per scientific recommendations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MoEF has been directed to ensure <strong>coral protection and regeneration using proven scientific methods<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Baseline Environmental Data: <\/strong>NGT relied on findings from a <strong>High-Powered Committee (HPC)<\/strong> headed by former Environment Secretary, which <strong>revisited the clearance in compliance<\/strong> with the NGT\u2019s April 2023 order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compliance with ICRZ Norms: <\/strong>The NGT concluded that <strong>\u2018no part of the project\u2019 <\/strong>falls within <strong>prohibited ICRZ areas<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Portions of port infrastructure that may fall <strong>within CRZ-1A and CRZ-1B areas<\/strong> under the proposed master plan would be <strong>excluded in the revised plan<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Tribunal stressed that the conditions of the ICRZ Notification cannot be ignored and must be strictly adhered to.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental Safeguards and Conditions: <\/strong>The NGT noted that the environmental clearance contains specific safeguards, including protection measures for <strong>Leatherback sea turtles, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, robber crabs, Nicobar macaques<\/strong> and other endemic bird species.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shoreline and Coastal Protection Measures: <\/strong>The Tribunal directed the MoEF to ensure that:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Construction activities, including foreshore development, do not cause <strong>erosion or adverse shoreline changes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sandy beaches are preserved, as they are crucial nesting sites for turtles and birds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The island\u2019s shoreline is protected to prevent ecological degradation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About National Green Tribunal (NGT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>specialized judicial body<\/strong> to handle <strong>environmental disputes <\/strong>related to environmental protection, conservation of forests, natural resources, and enforcement of legal rights relating to the environment in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Establishment:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Created under the <strong>National Green Tribunal Act, 2010<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replaced the <strong>National Environment Appellate Authority<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> New Delhi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zonal Benches:<\/strong> Pune (West), Bhopal (Central), Chennai (South), Kolkata (East)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jurisdiction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The NGT has jurisdiction <strong>over civil cases<\/strong> relating to substantial environmental questions under laws&nbsp; such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decisions of the Tribunal are <strong>binding<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Institutional Strengths<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Application of the <strong>\u2018Polluter Pays\u2019<\/strong> and <strong>\u2018Precautionary\u2019<\/strong> principles;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dedicated environmental expertise (Judicial &amp; Expert Members);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time-bound disposal (ideally within six months);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power to provide relief, compensation, and restoration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/ngt-clears-nicobar-mega-project-cites-adequate-safeguards-in-environmental-nod-10534574\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: IE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Recently, a Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) cleared the way for the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, noting that \u2018considering the strategic importance\u2019 of it and \u2018other relevant considerations\u2019. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About the Great Nicobar Project <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is a large-scale infrastructure initiative conceived by NITI Aayog, formally called as the Great Nicobar Island Development Project. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is implemented through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDC). <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-02-2026\/ngt-upholds-ec-great-nicobar-project \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66912"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66917,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66912\/revisions\/66917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}