GREAT NICOBAR MEGA PROJECT CLEARED BY NGT

NEWS: The National Green Tribunal cleared the Rs 80,000 crore controversial Great Nicobar project considering its “strategic importance”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• A six member bench of the tribunalà disposed of the petitions challenging the project
• Adequate safeguards have been provided in the Environment Clearance(EC) conditions
• There were adequate safeguards forà corals
• Three new wildlife sanctuaries were identified at Little Nicobar Island, Menchal and Meroe Islands for conservation and protection of Leatherback turtle, Megapode and corals.
• High Powered Committeeàfound that no part of the Project area is in CRZ-IA area

Great Nicobar Island Project

• Greenfield infrastructure project conceived by NITI Aayog
• Approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021.
• Nodal Agency: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)
• Project Components:
  • International Transhipment Port – Galathea Bay
  • A Greenfield international airport
  • A 450 MW power plant
  • A modern township