Syllabus: 

GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context: 

Recently, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study was carried out for the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP). 

More on the News

• The study downplays the risk of future earthquakes that could trigger tsunamis on the scale that was seen in 2004. 
• The 900-page EIA report by Vimta Labs, commissioned by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Corporation, states that the likelihood of a 9.2 magnitude quake like in 2004 is low.  
• The EIA study, while acknowledging the region’s closeness and susceptibility to massive earthquakes, primarily draws on a 2019 study by scientists of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur stating that the “return period”, a term for similar-sized earthquake reoccurring, is 420–750 years for mega-earthquakes with magnitude of 9 or more. 
• The return period is a shorter 80-120 years for large-magnitude earthquakes (>7.5).

Great Nicobar Project 

• The Great Nicobar Project is a large-scale infrastructure development plan for Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman Sea, aiming to establish a trans-shipment port, an international airport, a township, and a gas-powered power plant.

Key Features: 

• The project includes a major international trans-shipment port, crucial for India's maritime strategy and aiming to reduce reliance on foreign ports for the transshipment of cargo. 
• An international airport is planned to improve connectivity and facilitate trade and tourism. 
• The project envisions a new township to accommodate a significant population increase. 
• A 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant is planned to support the infrastructure development.

Strategic Importance: 

• India is enhancing its infrastructure in Great Nicobar to support the deployment of additional troops, warships, aircraft, and missile systems, strengthening surveillance and bolstering military deterrence essential for national security.
• The island is close to the Malacca Strait, the main waterway that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. 
• The Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean are vital to India’s security due to the growing Chinese naval presence in the region. 

Environmental Concerns of the Project 

Deforestation and Biodiversity loss: The project involves large-scale clearing of tropical rainforests, with tree loss potentially exceeding 10 million, risking soil erosion, habitat disruption, and ecological imbalance—impacts that compensatory afforestation may not offset.

•  This component alone covers a massive 130 sq km of largely primary tropical rainforest of the total project area of a little over 160 sq km.

Impact on Wildlife: Endangered species like the leatherback turtle, Nicobar pigeon, and megapode face serious threats due to habitat loss and denotification of the Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Coral Reef Destruction: Port construction in a CRZ-1A zone may damage coral reefs and disrupt marine ecosystems, potentially triggering a cascade of biodiversity loss.

Impact on Indigenous Communities: The project may displace tribal populations and undermine their cultural heritage, livelihoods, and traditional way of life.

Legal issues: Issues emanate from the 2002 report of the Supreme Court–appointed Shekhar Singh Commission and the court’s orders based on it. While the project proponent says in multiple places that the tree-felling will be done in accordance with the Supreme Court orders and the Shekhar Singh report, it fails to note at least two key points of the Supreme Court order:

• All felling of trees in national parks, sanctuaries, the tribal reserves and all other areas shall stand suspended.
• There should first be compulsory afforestation/regeneration [and] the felling permissions would be based upon the extent of regeneration of forest undertaken and not the other way round. 

Other Concerns: It is located in a high seismic zone, the project area faces earthquake and tsunami risks, while concerns persist over inadequate environmental assessments and the climate impact of deforestation.

Source: The Hindu

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/environment-impact-study-for-great-nicobar-project-downplays-earthquake-risk/article69777674.ece