The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given atmosphere clearance for the Centre’s formidable Rs 72,000 crore multi-development initiatives in Greater Nicobar Island, India’s southernmost level and strategically vital area. The ministry had given in-principle approval for the undertaking final yr.
The Indian authorities’s formidable plans embrace growth of a global container transshipment terminal, a military-civilian dual-use airport, a solar energy plant and an built-in township. The port and growth will probably be dealt with by the Indian Navy.
For the undertaking, MoEF has accredited diversion of simply 130 sq km of forest land and felling of about 8.5 lakh bushes. The undertaking is prone to have an effect on the mangrove cowl and coral reefs within the space.
The Greater Nicobar Islands are occupied by the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. The undertaking space is adjoining to 2 nationwide parks – Galathea Bay National Park and Campbell Bay National Park.
“Stage-1 environment clearance for the project was given 10 days back. Now the project proponent will have to apply for Phase II clearance – which will involve multiple compliance checks. It may take months,” stated a senior ministry official.
The Greater Nicobar area is house to leatherback sea turtles and different vital species reminiscent of Nicobar macaques, Nicobar megapodes and saltwater crocodiles and uncommon and endemic plant species reminiscent of tree ferns and orchids. The undertaking was taken ahead protecting in thoughts the strategic significance of the port to be developed.
“The undertaking is of nice strategic significance contemplating India’s presence within the Bay of Bengal, as China turns into extra aggressive within the South China Sea. The current docking of a Chinese survey ship in Sri Lanka has made the undertaking much more pressing. The undertaking is of nice nationwide significance and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been very clear about its significance. But we’ve got been diligent in our approval and have concerned the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) within the investigation.
Officials stated that the federal government will begin a undertaking to relocate a part of the coral reefs that will probably be affected by the undertaking. “Only a part of the coral reef will be affected as the port will not stretch along the entire coastline. Translocation of coral has already been done. The ZSI will be in charge of this activity,” the official stated.
In the meantime, WII is making a Conservation Management Plan for the Leatherback Turtle, which can even be affected by the undertaking.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
