The Hindu Editorial Analysis
12 September 2025
A project of strategic and national importance
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 14)
Topic : GS Paper III – Economy | GS Paper II – Governance | GS Paper IV – Ethics
Context
The Great Nicobar Island Project, recently greenlit by the Modi government, aims to establish an integrated development hub with a transshipment terminal, airport, power plant, and township. It is being projected as a transformative step for India’s maritime and economic strategy.
However, given its ecological sensitivity and the presence of tribal populations, the project demands rigorous scrutiny, balancing development goals with environmental sustainability and tribal welfare.
Key Issues and Arguments
1. Strategic Significance
- Transforms Great Nicobar into a major maritime hub.
- Enhances India’s role in Indo-Pacific connectivity.
- Reduces reliance on external ports, boosting economic resilience.
2. Environmental Scrutiny
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) conducted.
- Wildlife and forest clearance granted with specific conditions.
- 81.55 hectares of forest land already diverted; compensatory afforestation measures mandated.
3. Tribal and Social Concerns
- Tribes (Shompen, Nicobarese) live in and around the area.
- No displacement proposed, but cultural and ecological impacts must be addressed.
- Consultations with anthropological and welfare agencies promised, but skepticism remains about the long-term impact on indigenous communities.
4. Policy and Procedural Safeguards
- Project undertaken in line with National Forest Policy and Scheduled Tribes’ rights safeguards.
- Union Territory administration tasked with continuous monitoring.
- Involves studies by Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, etc.
Policy Gaps Identified
| Area | Gaps |
|---|---|
| Environmental Safeguards | Implementation risks in afforestation, wildlife management. |
| Tribal Welfare | Limited consultation mechanisms; risk of marginalization. |
| Long-term Sustainability | Reliance on compensatory afforestation rather than integrated eco-sensitive design. |
| Institutional Oversight | Heavy dependence on administrative clearances, weak local-level checks. |
Suggestions for the Way Forward
- Inclusive Tribal Welfare
- Strengthen consultations under PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) protection frameworks.
- Provide livelihood and health support mechanisms.
- Ecological Safeguards
- Independent monitoring of afforestation and wildlife management.
- Incorporate global best practices in biodiversity offsets.
- Transparent Governance
- Public disclosure of impact assessments and compliance reports.
- Citizen and civil society oversight.
- Balanced Development Approach
- Integrate green infrastructure into design (renewables, eco-tourism).
- Ensure strategic goals do not undermine ecological security.
Ethical and Philosophical Dimensions
- Reflects the development vs. environment dilemma.
- Calls for justice for vulnerable tribal groups, ensuring they share in the benefits of development.
- Echoes principles of sustainable development – meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
Conclusion
The Great Nicobar Project is a strategic investment in India’s maritime future and a national security asset. However, its true success will depend not just on infrastructure, but on how well it preserves ecology, protects vulnerable communities, and builds resilient systems.
For India to claim this as a “model of sustainable growth,” the government must institutionalize ecological safeguards and uphold tribal rights. Only then can Great Nicobar truly become a project of both strategic importance and moral legitimacy.