The Great Nicobar Project is a mega project approved by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) that aims to develop the Great Nicobar Island, located in the Bay of Bengal. The project has a budget of ₹72,000 crores and is expected to span over three decades. In this article, we will discuss the different components of the project, its potential impact on the economy and ecology of the region, and concerns raised by environmentalists.

Components of the Great Nicobar Project

The Great Nicobar Project has four main components:

  1. A transhipment port at Galathea Bay: This port will be built to facilitate trade and commerce in the region.
  2. A dual-use military-civil international airport: This airport will serve as a gateway to the island for tourists, as well as for the military.
  3. A power plant: This power plant will provide electricity to the township and the industrial area.
  4. A township: The township will be built to house the workers, their families, and other residents.
Impact on the economy

The Great Nicobar Project is expected to have a significant impact on the economy of the region. The project is expected to bring nearly 400,000 people to the island during its span of three decades, which amounts to a 4,000% increase in its current population. The project is also expected to create jobs in various sectors such as construction, transportation, and hospitality.

Impact on the ecology

The Great Nicobar Island has been declared a biosphere reserve and is home to many endangered species of plants and animals. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the ecology of the island. An estimated 8.5 lakh trees are to be felled in the island’s rainforests for this project, which will have a devastating impact on the island’s biodiversity. The island is also home to two isolated and indigenous tribes, the Shompen and the Nicobaris. The project is expected to have a significant impact on their way of life and their habitat.

Concerns raised by environmentalists

The Great Nicobar Project has faced resistance from ecologists, anthropologists, domain experts, and former civil servants who have called it an impending ecological disaster. Environmentalists are concerned about the impact it will have on the island’s biodiversity and the indigenous communities. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has cleared the project, but environmentalists continue to raise concerns about the project’s impact on the island’s ecology.

Why In News

The Great Nicobar Project, approved and expected to cost ₹72,000 crores, is a government-led initiative aimed at unlocking the unexplored potential of the island while also preserving its natural ecosystem and rich biodiversity. It is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken in India, and its success or failure will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy and environment.

MCQs about The Great Nicobar Project

  1. What is the Great Nicobar Project?
    A. A transhipment port project in the Bay of Bengal
    B. A power plant project in the Bay of Bengal
    C. A project to develop the Great Nicobar Island
    D. A project to increase the population of the Bay of Bengal
    Correct Answer: C. A project to develop the Great Nicobar Island
    Explanation: The Great Nicobar Project is a mega project approved by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) that aims to develop the Great Nicobar Island located in the Bay of Bengal.
  2. What are the components of the Great Nicobar Project?
    A. A transhipment port, a military-civil airport, a power plant, and a township
    B. A military-civil airport, a power plant, a school, and a hospital
    C. A hotel, a resort, a shopping mall, and a theme park
    D. A movie theater, a restaurant, a gym, and a swimming pool
    Correct Answer: A. A transhipment port, a military-civil airport, a power plant, and a township
    Explanation: The Great Nicobar Project has four main components: a transhipment port at Galathea Bay, a dual-use military-civil international airport, a power plant, and a township.
  3. What is the expected impact of the Great Nicobar Project on the economy?
    A. It will create jobs in various sectors
    B. It will decrease the population of the region
    C. It will not have any impact on the economy
    D. It will lead to a decrease in the number of tourists visiting the island
    Correct Answer: A. It will create jobs in various sectors
    Explanation: The Great Nicobar Project is expected to create jobs in various sectors such as construction, transportation, and hospitality.
  4. What are the concerns raised by environmentalists about the Great Nicobar Project?
    A. The impact it will have on the island’s biodiversity and the indigenous communities
    B. The cost of the project
    C. The location of the project
    D. The color of the buildings in the township
    Correct Answer: A. The impact it will have on the island’s biodiversity and the indigenous communities
    Explanation: Environmentalists have raised concerns about the impact the Great Nicobar Project will have on the island’s biodiversity and the indigenous communities, the Shompen and the Nicobaris, who call the island their home.

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