By Great Nicobar Project: A Deep Dive into the Strategic, Environmental, and Seismic Crossroads
Introduction
The Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project has recently sparked criticism for inadequately addressing seismic risks in its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), despite the region’s vulnerability to major earthquakes.
What’s in today’s article?
- About the Great Nicobar Project?
- Why is the government keen to develop this Island?
- Prelims Facts: Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- EIA and its issues along with solutions.
- Ecological & Tribal Stakes due to this project.
- Committees and commissions on this topic.
- And most importantly, what is the sustainable path forward?
What is the Great Nicobar Project?
The Great Nicobar Project is a multi-crore infrastructure initiative planned for the southern part of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) is the main agency driving it. The project for the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island was implemented after a report by NITI Aayog.
Key Project Features:
| Component | Details |
| International Container Terminal | Deep-water port at Galathea Bay; aims to compete with Singapore & Colombo as a transshipment hub |
| Greenfield International Airport | Dual-use for civilian and military aircraft; all-weather connectivity |
| Power Plant | Gas and solar-based to ensure stable electricity |
| Township | New city planned to accommodate over 1 lakh (100,000) residents and workers |
Why is the government keen to develop this Island?
Economic reasons
- Great Nicobar is at equal distance from Colombo to the southwest and Singapore to the southeast.
- It is also positioned in close proximity to the East-West international shipping corridor.
- The proposed ICTT will become a hub for cargo ships travelling on this route.
Strategic & Security reasons
- Increasing Chinese assertion via the String of pearl in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific has added great urgency to this project.
- Increasing build-up of Chinese maritime forces at the Indo-Pacific choke points of especially Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok.
- Close surveillance and building up of a strong military deterrence at archipelago is of vital importance for India’s national security.
Prelims Facts: Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Location: 1,300 km southeast of Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal
- Latitudinal & Longitudinal Extent: 6° 45′ N to 13° 41′ N and 92° 12′ E to 93° 57′ E
- Total Islands: 500+ islands (big and small); divided into two groups – Andaman Islands (north) & Nicobar Islands (south)
- Ten Degree Channel: Separates Andaman Islands (north) from Nicobar Islands (south)
- Andaman Islands:
- Sub-groups: North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman
- Capital: Port Blair (in South Andaman)
- Nicobar Islands:
- Sub-groups: Northern Group, Central Group, Southern Group
- Great Nicobar is the largest and southernmost island in the Southern Group
- Indira Point: India’s southernmost point, located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar
- Other Physical Features:
- Most islands have a volcanic base (tertiary sandstone, limestone, shale)
- Barren and Narcondam Islands (north of Port Blair) are volcanic islands
- Saddle Peak (737 m, North Andaman) is the highest peak in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Renamed Islands (2018):
- Ross Island → Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep
- Neil Island → Shaheed Dweep
- Havelock Island → Swaraj Dweep
The Core Conflict: A Flawed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
| Issue in EIA | Description | What Should Have Been Done |
| Downplaying Seismic & Tsunami Risks | Relied on a limited 2019 study; ignored warnings about data gaps and unpredictability of mega-quakes. | Comprehensive, multi-year seismic studies by NCS, GSI, and IITs. |
| Inadequate Biodiversity Assessment | Over 130 sq km of pristine rainforest to be cleared; compensatory afforestation planned in Haryana (!). | Proper like-for-like compensatory afforestation; independent WII and IUCN biodiversity survey. |
| Ignoring Tribal Rights | Project threatens Shompen and Nicobarese (PVTGs) habitat. No genuine FPIC under FRA, 2006. | Uphold Forest Rights Act and obtain Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) from all affected PVTGs. |
| Lack of Transparency | Key committee reports kept secret; limited real public hearings. | All reports and clearance minutes made public; transparent, accessible consultations. |
| Weak Disaster Management | Disaster plan not publicly vetted or robustly tested. | NDMA-vetted, real-time monitoring, regular public disaster drills. |
Ecological & Tribal Stakes
| Area Affected | Details |
| Forest Loss | Over 130 sq km, including primeval tropical rainforest |
| Biodiversity | Giant Leatherback turtle nesting, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodile, coral reefs |
| Tribal Groups | Shompen and Nicobarese, both PVTGs. Dependent on forests, recognized under FRA 2006 |
| Compensation Flaw | Afforestation planned in Haryana – not ecologically equivalent |
Regulatory and Legal Developments
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) Stay (2023): Called the EIA “incomplete and misleading”, ordered a High Powered Committee (HPC) review.
- High-Powered Committee: Composed of experts in geology, seismology, environment, and tribal welfare. As of mid-2025, its full report is under judicial consideration.
- EIA Notification 2025: Recent amendments require stricter compliance, making past shortcuts in Great Nicobar’s process more controversial.
Committees and Commissions for Way Ahead
| Committee/Commission | Mandate and Relevance |
| High-Powered Committee (HPC) – NGT | Review all clearances, seismic & ecological risks |
| Geological Survey of India (GSI) | Lead seismic micro-zonation, hazard mapping |
| National Centre for Seismology (NCS) | Earthquake, liquefaction, and tsunami risk assessment |
| Wildlife Institute of India (WII) | Independent biodiversity impact review |
| Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Anthropological Survey | Ensure tribal rights, FRA compliance |
| National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) | Vet disaster plan, conduct periodic mock drills |
The Way Forward
- Transparent, Science-Based Review- The current EIA report must be scrapped and a new, independent committee including GSI, NCS, WII, and public health experts should re-do the assessment, with all findings publicly available.
- Uphold Tribal Rights Unconditionally – there should be no land diversion without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Shompen and Nicobarese communities. There should be strict adherence to the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
- Strengthen Disaster Readiness – Invest in a real-time seismic and tsunami monitoring network along with it NDMA must regularly audit the project’s disaster management plan.
- Explore Alternatives- Serious, independent cost-benefit analysis, including less-damaging alternatives or a scaled-down version of the project.
- Full Transparency – All EIA and HPC reports should be made public and public hearings must be meaningful, not just a tick-box exercise. Rules must be followed in spirit and not just words.
Conclusion
The Great Nicobar Project stands at the intersection of India’s strategic ambitions and its environmental and social responsibilities (ESR). While the project is promising a transformation of the nation’s maritime security and economic status, it also raises crucial questions of disaster resilience, biodiversity protection, and indigenous rights.