The Union Environment Minister has clarified that the Great Nicobar project will not adversely affect the tribal population and has passed all necessary judicial and environmental reviews.
About Great Nicobar project:
- The project includes a transhipment port, an airport, a power plant, and a greenfield township.
- It is considered crucial for national, defense, and strategic interests.
- Cost: The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 72,000 crore.
- Location: The project is strategically located near international shipping routes.
Environmental and Forest Clearances:
- Environmental Clearance: The project has received a stage-1 environmental clearance from an expert committee.
- Judicial Scrutiny: Environmental and forest clearances have passed judicial scrutiny, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
- Ecological Impact:
- The project has been approved after careful consideration of its potential ecological impacts.
- Despite the diversion of forest land, 82% of Great Nicobar Island remains under protected forests, national parks, eco-sensitive zones, and biosphere reserves.
- Tree Felling: Up to 9.6 lakh trees may be felled, impacting the unique rainforest ecosystem.
- Impacts on Wildlife: Risks to rare species like the leatherback turtle in Galathea Bay.
Tribal Safeguards:
- Tribal Protection Measures:
- Legal safeguards and constitutional provisions for tribal communities, including the Shompen tribe, have been duly followed.
- The project will not displace the Shompens or Nicobarese from their habitation areas.
- Welfare Plans: A budget of Rs 201.98 crore has been allocated for tribal welfare, including the establishment of a special medical unit over a period of 50 years.
- Increase in Tribal Reserve Land: The project will result in a net increase in tribal reserve land.
Compensatory Measures:
- Afforestation:
- Compensatory afforestation will be carried out on non-notified forest lands in states such as Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
- The afforestation efforts will be double the extent of the area diverted for the project.
- Non-notified forest lands used for afforestation will be designated as reserve or protected forests.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the Great Nicobar project and what does it include?
The Great Nicobar project includes a transhipment port, an airport, a power plant, and a greenfield township, crucial for national, defense, and strategic interests.
How much is the estimated cost of the Great Nicobar project?
The total cost of the Great Nicobar project is estimated at Rs 72,000 crore.
Where is the Great Nicobar project strategically located?
The Great Nicobar project is strategically located near international shipping routes.
Has the Great Nicobar project received environmental clearances?
Yes, the project has received stage-1 environmental clearance and has passed judicial scrutiny, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
How has the ecological impact of the Great Nicobar project been considered?
The project has been approved after careful consideration of its potential ecological impacts, despite the diversion of forest land.