‘Great Nicobar project given nod after meticulous diligence, tribal rights will be protected’: Bhupender Yadav

The project, which involves construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a power plant, a township and allied infrastructure in the Greater Nicobar island, was given a green signal by the environment ministry in 2022. The move invited criticism from the Opposition that said the mega project posed grave threat to indigenous tribal groups and flora and fauna.

In his detailed seven-page response, Yadav defended the government’s decision-making on an array of issues ranging from grant of clearances, protection of tribal rights, mitigation of environmental impact as well as the project’s legal standing vis-à-vis environmental laws.

Yadav highlighted that issues pertaining to biodiversity, economy, coral colonies, aboriginal tribes, wildlife were all diligently considered.

“It is only after due deliberations and after incorporating exemplary mitigation measures that the decision on the project was taken by the Central Government keeping the strategic, national and defence interests in mind and without compromising with the environmental and social aspects,” Yadav stated.

The minister then went on to point out that the green clearances granted have withstood legal scrutiny before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Yadav quoted from an April 3, 2023 order of a special bench of NGT, “Thus, by and large the project is compliant and EC (environmental clearance) does not call for interference… considering the above, we do not find any ground to interfere with the FC (forest clearance)”.

Responding to Ramesh’s criticism on the compensatory afforestation in lieu of forest diversion in Nicobar will happen in Haryana’s vastly different ecology, Yadav said the decision was taken since areas for plantation “are not available in the Great Nicobar Island”.

He added, “plantation of native species in the non-notified forest lands in the arid landscape and in the vicinity of the urban areas would provide greater ecological value. Accordingly, Compensatory Afforestation (CA) is proposed to be carried out in the states of Haryana (including Aravallis), Madhya Pradesh or in states adjoining to NCR (National Capital Region), over non-notified forest land/degraded land, double in extent to the area being diverted”.

The Nicobar project will lead to diversion of 130.75 sqkm of tropical forest on the island and nearly million trees will be cut.

Yadav also reiterated the stand of an NGT-appointed high-powered committee and said that no part of the project fell in the Coastal Regulation Zone – IA (CRZ-IA) classification, where ports are prohibited. In fact, the minister claimed that the NGT in its April order did not make any categorical statement about parts of the project falling under CRZ-IA.

However, while constituting the HPC to examine among other things whether any part of the project fell under CRZ-IA, the NGT had said, “It is also shown that part of the project is in the CRZ IA area where port is prohibited”.

The minister also delved at length on the issue of tribal welfare and claimed that all procedures mandated as per law were followed to protect the interests of the tribal community. Yadav said that due consultations were held with the tribal experts, including Anthropological Survey of India, to ensure safety, protection, welfare and wellbeing of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups.

“The Empowered Committee in its observations has clearly stated that the interests of tribal population especially Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group will not be affected adversely and that the displacement of tribals would not be allowed… the only habitation of Shompens or Nicobarese in the project area is at New Chingen, Rajiv Nagar and the Administration is not proposing displacement of any tribal habitations,” Yadav said.

On public consultations, Yadav stated that the tribal communities were duly represented and the chairman of the Tribal Council (Great Nicobar & Little Nicobar Island) also attended a public hearing held in connection with the environmental clearance on behalf of the tribal community and “no objections raised”.

Yadav added that in lieu of 73.07 sq km of tribal reserve being used for the project, 76.98 sq km is being re-notified as tribal reserve.

The minister also touched upon the project’s Social Impact Assessment study and said that a public hearing was held as part of the study in June and an expert group, including two external social experts is evaluating the study.

Responding to Ramesh’s concerns that the project was planned in an earthquake-prone region, Yadav stated that risk assessments were carried out and as per seismologists the “possibility of a mega earthquake of 9.2 that happened in 2004, is low”. However, he did not cite any scientific study to back this claim.

“Seismologists suggest a Return Period of 420—750 years for mega-earthquakes similar to that which occurred in 2004. In the next 5-10 year period, the ANI (Andaman and Nicobar Island) area can generate an earthquake with a magnitude of around 5.5 to 6.4 Mw (movement magnitude). The medium strength earthquake of 6.4 to 6.7 Mw is possible in next 30 years. The strong earthquake of 6.7 to 7 Mw is possible in next 50 years. However, the probability of a mega earthquake of 9.2 that happened in 2004 is low,” he said.