The Great Nicobar Project: Balancing Strategic Ambition with Environmental and Tribal Concerns
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment (Protected Areas - Biosphere Reserve, CRZ, PVTGs, EIA, Compensatory Afforestation); Indian Polity and Governance (Key Legislations - FRA 2006, Land Acquisition Act 2013; Constitutional Bodies - NCST); Geography (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Seismic Zones).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society/Geography): Social empowerment, tribal issues; Effects of development projects on indigenous communities.
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity/Governance): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Mechanisms, laws, and institutions for the protection of vulnerable sections; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment/Economy/Security): Conservation, Environmental Impact Assessment; Infrastructure; National Security. This is a classic "Development vs. Environment" case study.
Key Highlights from the News
The article puts forward the government's arguments and explanations regarding the Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project.
The government states that this project is strategically, defensively, and economically very important for the country.
The government argues that the project will not displace indigenous tribal communities, a special committee has been appointed to ensure their welfare, and laws like the Shompen Policy are being followed.
All legal procedures, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), have been followed for the project's approval.
Compensatory afforestation (reforestation as compensation) for lost forest land in Haryana is being carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The government also claims that the tribal reserve area is not decreasing as part of the project but is slightly increasing.
The article concludes that this project is an example of economy and ecology complementing each other.
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