NGT orders forming panel to review environmental clearance for Great Nicobar Island project

While hearing the petition filed against clearances given to the project, the NGT noted in its April 3 order that it is “compliant and the EC does not call for interference’’.

The project will include, among others, an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a township, and a 450 MVA gas- and solar-based power plant over 16,610 hectares in the Great Nicobar Islands,

The order said the proposed committee will be headed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Secretary, and will include “Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar; Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Central Pollution Control Board, nominee of Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog, nominee of Secretary, Ministry of Shipping and Director, Wildlife Institute of India”.

It said the Environment Secretary “may appoint a nodal officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary, for facilitating functioning of the Committee”.

The NGT has approved the forest clearance provided and also said that the project is required for “national security” and economic development of the region.

The clearances for the project have been challenged on the grounds that they are not compliant with the 2006 notification; that the environment impact assessment (EIA) has not been properly prepared according to terms of reference; that ICRZ regulations have been violated and the impact on tribal populations have not been taken into account.

In proposing the project, the government has pushed for its strategic benefits, in particular India’s strong maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region to counter pressure built by foreign powers, in particular ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The NGT order stated that “it is patent that the project has great significance not only for economic development of the island and surrounding areas of strategic location but also for defence and national security….”

The NGT backed the forest clearance given by the Environment Ministry, saying that compensatory afforestation allows for afforestation outside the state. In the case of the Greater Nicobar project, the government has planned compensatory afforestation in the Aravalli hills.

“As regards forest clearance, it is seen that forest cover in the area is more than 75%,” the NGT noted. “While forest is of great significance in tackling air pollution and climate change, development cannot be totally ignored. There is hardly any development in the area. There is a need not only for economic development but also national security…. Thus, no case is made out to interfere with the FC [forest clearance], considering the countervailing public interest in allowing diversion of forest land for the project which is subject to all relevant conditions.”