Keep Nicobar mega project away from no-go coastal zones: Appellant to NGT, Pg 14.

Key Highlights:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) heard a challenge to the environmental clearances for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega project, valued at ₹81,000 crore.
• The appellant argued that the project violates regulations by including activities in no-go Island Coastal Regulation Zone-1A (ICRZ-1A) areas.
• The project includes an international container transshipment terminal, a township, a 450 MVA power plant, and a dual-use airport spread over 166 sq km.
• It was pointed out that 7.07 sq km of the project area falls under ICRZ-1A, where such construction is restricted.
• The Galathea Bay, site of the proposed transshipment port, is a critical nesting ground for the leatherback turtle.
• The NGT has adjourned the hearing until October 29, when the Centre's counsel will present their arguments.

Detailed Insights:

• The GNI project aims to develop strategic infrastructure on the Great Nicobar Island, but faces opposition due to environmental concerns and regulatory violations.
• The appellant contends that the Environment Ministry used a 'truncated' terms of reference when revisiting the project's environmental clearance, as directed by a previous NGT order.
• The core legal issue is the permissibility of construction activities within the ICRZ-1A zones, irrespective of the project's economic or strategic importance.
• Environmentalists highlight the ecological significance of Galathea Bay as a nesting site for the leatherback turtle, suggesting alternative locations for the port.
• The NGT's six-member bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, is revisiting the petitions due to the reconstitution of the bench after the completion of terms of two judicial members.
• The project's potential impact on the fragile coastal ecosystem and biodiversity of the Great Nicobar Island remains a central point of contention.

Key Concepts Involved:

• ICRZ-1A (Island Coastal Regulation Zone-1A): Coastal zones that are ecologically sensitive and where no new construction is permitted.
• Environmental Clearance: A multi-stage process of environmental impact assessment required for projects that could significantly impact the environment.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): A specialized judicial body in India that handles environmental disputes.