The Great Nicobar Island Project, envisaged by the Narendra Modi government, is an ambitious project with an integrated development plan that comprises an international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) with a capacity of 14.2 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit), a greenfield international airport, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant, and township of an area of 16,610 hectares.
The project, of strategic, defence and national importance, is designed to transform Great Nicobar into a major hub of maritime and air connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region. The project poses no threat to the island’s tribal groups, does not come in the way of any species, and does not jeopardise the eco-sensitivity of the region.
Scrutiny at many levels
Before the project was given the green signal, detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies were carried out and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was prepared which, inter alia, include mitigation measures to minimise the impact during the project’s construction and operation phases. The commitment to environment and wildlife conservation can be seen in the fact that while no construction has started, an amount of ₹81.55 crore has already been released to various research institutes and departments for initiating wildlife conservation plans.
The risk assessment study has been carried out based on the two sources — anthropogenic and natural disasters and a vulnerability and disaster management plan have been prepared accordingly.
The measuring of 166.10 square kilometres (35.35 sq. km revenue land and 130.75 sq. km forest land) has been conceived in three distinct phases, phase I (2025-35) 72.12 sq. km, phase II (2036-41) 45.27 sq. km and phase III (2042-47) 48.71 sq. km.
The project has undergone an appraisal at multiple levels, including statutory scrutiny under the EIA Notification, 2006 (as amended), and clearance has been granted only after compliance with prescribed procedures.
The project will not displace the Nicobarese and the Shompen tribes. The only habitation of the Shompens or the Nicobarese in the project area is at New Chingen, Rajiv Nagar and the administration is not proposing the displacement of any tribal habitations. A committee to oversee welfare and issues related to the Shompen and the Nicobarese has also been mandated in the EC’s condition to address the issues of these tribes during the construction and the operation of the project.
Due consultation with tribal experts which includes the Anthropological Survey of India has been done in order to ensure the safety, protection, welfare and well-being of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the wake of Holistic Development of the Great Nicobar Island Project. The Andaman and Nicobar administration has also made adequate budgetary provisions for tribal welfare plans throughout the project period and beyond in compliance of EC and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances. At present, the Great Nicobar Island has a Tribal Reserve area measuring 751.070 sq. km. Out of the total area proposed for development, measuring 166.10 sq.km, only 84.10 sq. km falls within the Tribal Reserve. Out of the 84.10 sq. km, an area of 11.032 sq. km is already under habitation since 1972 as it is part of revenue area. Thus, the effectively remaining area that measures 73.07 sq. km is being de-notified for the purpose of this project. To compensate the same, an area measuring 76.98 sq. km is being re-notified as tribal reserve. Effectively, there will be a net addition of an area of 3.912 sq. km in the tribal reserve area of the Great Nicobar Island. In Phase I, only 40.01 sq. km of the Tribal Area falls in the Great Nicobar Island project, out of which 11.032 sq. km is already under revenue since 1972. The provision in respect of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is provided for under Article 338A(9), which states: “The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.” It would be relevant to mention here that the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has not undertaken any new policy measure affecting the Scheduled Tribes — except that a development project is being implemented in Great Nicobar.
The relevant issues
The development plan is in sync with the Shompen Policy. The policy allows large-scale development proposals in Great Nicobar Island subject to consultation with the Ministry, Directorate of Tribal Welfare and the Andaman Adim Janjati VikasSamiti. Necessary consultation with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs was also carried out and it is based on the recommendation of the Empowered Committee.
Two important policy documents — the Jarawa Policy of 2004 and Shompen Policy of 2015 — clearly specify the process of consultation. The Jarawa Policy of 2004 declares the AAJVS as the trustee of the PVTGs. The Shompen Policy of 2015 specifies, vide paragraph 6.3, that “With regard to large-scale development proposals in the future for Great Nicobar Island (such as trans-shipment/container terminal, etc), the welfare and integrity of the Shompen community should be given priority and be reviewed in consultation with the Department of Tribal Welfare and Andaman Adim Janjati VikasSamiti (AAJVS) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs”. This is being followed in letter and spirit.
In its observations, the Empowered Committee has clearly stated that the interests of tribal population will not be affected adversely and that the displacement of tribals would not be allowed.
The decision to develop Great Nicobar Island has been taken after a comprehensive consideration of its ecological, social, and strategic aspects. The project is of national and strategic importance, is expected to accelerate holistic development, will generate employment, and will position the Islands not only from strategic and defence point of view but also from economic point of view.
This is about only 2% of the total area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Further, 130.75 sq. km of forest area is proposed to be diverted for the project which is only approximately 1.82% of the total forest area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As in the guidelines of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the States/Union Territories with forest land of more than 75% of their respective total geographical area, shall not be insisted upon for providing non-forest land for raising compensatory afforestation and the same may be taken up in any other State/Union Territory having deficient forest land/cover and having land bank for compensatory afforestation.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a recorded forest cover of more than 75% of their geographical area, and the compensatory afforestation is proposed to be raised in other States in conformity with the aforesaid guideline formulated by the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and in view of the fact that sufficient non-forest land for the purpose is not available in this Union Territory. Land measuring 97.30 sq. km has been identified in Haryana for diversion of phase I of forest land measuring 48.65 sq. km.
The total estimated number of trees in 130.75 sq.km of forest land to be diverted is 18.65 lakh. However, the maximum estimated number of trees to be felled in forest area measuring 49.86 sq. km is 7.11 lakh. As per the Environmental and Forest Clearance condition, an area measuring 65.99 sq. km shall be retained as green area wherein no tree felling is envisaged.
Studies by institutions of standing
All the institutions engaged in conducting various environmental studies for the project — including the Zoological Survey of India, the Botanical Survey of India, the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and the Wildlife Institute of India — are reputed government organisations with a long-standing presence and institutional capacity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These institutes possess extensive historical datasets and a deep understanding of the local ecological context, having conducted research and data collection in the region over several decades.
For facilitating movement of wildlife between forest and the sea shore and for the crossing of arboreal animals as well as for passage of snakes, crabs and crocodiles, safe wildlife corridors at eight locations along the eastern side of the island (connecting forest and seashore through viaducts in the north south arterial road) have been proposed and incorporated in the master plan.
The Narendra Modi government remains committed to the welfare of tribal groups, environmental safeguards, and sustainable development. Comprehensive safeguards have been prescribed to ensure the long-term protection of the Shompen and the Nicobarese communities.
The Great Nicobar Project is a significant example of economy and ecology complementing each other. It combines the objectives of economic growth, infrastructure development and employment generation with critical national security imperatives, thereby contributing to India’s long-term strategic and developmental interests in the Indian Ocean Region while also protecting the environment.
Bhupender Yadav is Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
Published – September 12, 2025 12:16 am IST