National Green Tribunal Approves Rs 80,000 Crore Project In Great Nicobar

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given judicial clearance for the controversial Rs 80,000‑crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project, dismissing environmental petitions and affirming the environmental clearance previously granted by the Union government. The tribunal’s order, issued on Monday, is expected to accelerate the project’s rollout despite sustained opposition from conservationists and tribal rights advocates.

A six‑member special bench of the NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, concluded that it found no valid grounds to interfere with the 2022 environmental clearance (EC) for the project, noting that “adequate safeguards” have been incorporated to mitigate ecological impact. The tribunal also underlined the strategic importance of the project for the nation, particularly its location near key international sea routes in the eastern Indian Ocean.

The ambitious development, spanning over 166.10 sq km on Great Nicobar Island, will encompass a transshipment port, civil and military‑use airport, integrated township, and a 450 MVA gas‑ and solar‑based power plant. Critics have stressed that the plans involve the diversion of vast tracts of forest land and the removal of nearly one million trees — raising serious concerns about impacts on critical habitat and biodiversity.

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Environmental activists, including Ashish Kothari, had challenged the project on multiple grounds before the tribunal, alleging violations of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019 and contending that parts of the project encroach on ecologically sensitive zones where construction activity is prohibited. The NGT’s bench relied on findings from a high‑powered committee it had earlier constituted, determining that no portion of the project lies in strictly prohibited areas and that mitigation initiatives — including coral translocation and species conservation measures — are in place.

Despite the tribunal’s ruling, critics remain unconvinced. Conservationists have long warned that the project could imperil endemic species such as the leatherback turtle, Nicobar megapode, and Nicobar macaque, and disrupt the lives of vulnerable tribal communities, including the Nicobarese and Shompen, who inhabit the remote island. Opposition parties, such as the Congress, have labelled the NGT’s decision “disappointing” and reiterated concerns about potential threats to indigenous cultures and fragile ecosystems.

The NGT’s decision explicitly directs full and strict compliance with all environmental clearance conditions by regulatory authorities, underscoring that any future violations during execution could invite judicial review. The tribunal’s approach effectively balances India’s economic and strategic infrastructure goals with environmental regulation, but will likely remain a flashpoint for legal and ecological debates as ground work on the sprawling project progresses.

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