<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <strong>Union Government</strong> has drafted a <strong>₹92,000 crore</strong> master plan to develop <span class="key-term" data-definition="Great Nicobar Island — the southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, strategically located at the western entrance to the Malacca Strait (GS1: Geography)">Great Nicobar Island (GNI)</span> as a combined port and tourism hub. The plan, notified by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration — the Union Territory’s governing body responsible for implementing central policies (GS2: Polity)">Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration</span>, envisions an <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Container Transhipment Port — a large seaport designed for handling container cargo transfers, crucial for trade and logistics (GS3: Economy)">International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP)</span>, an airport, power plants, and extensive tourism infrastructure.</p> <h2>Key Developments</h2> <ul> <li>Draft master plan opened for public suggestions for 30 days (notification date not disclosed).</li> <li>Projected population to rise from <strong>~10,000</strong> to **3.36 lakh** by **2055**.</li> <li>Anticipated tourist inflow of **1 million per year** by 2055.</li> <li>Over **70 %** of direct employment expected in tourism and allied sectors.</li> <li>Port aims to help India capture a larger share of global sea trade, leveraging the island’s <span class="key-term" data-definition="Malacca Strait — one of the world’s busiest maritime passages linking the Indian Ocean with the Pacific, vital for international trade (GS3: Economy)">strategic location at the western entrance to the Malacca Strait</span>.</li> <li>Parallel draft plan proposes relocation of Nicobarese communities, creating confusion over resettlement sites.</li> <li>Legal challenges persist: the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Green Tribunal — a specialized judicial body for environmental protection and conservation (GS3: Environment)">National Green Tribunal</span> set aside biodiversity concerns, while the Calcutta High Court continues to hear petitions against clearances.</li> </ul> <h2>Important Facts</h2> <p>The current demographic composition includes two indigenous tribal groups — the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nicobarese and Shompen — indigenous tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, whose forest rights and livelihoods are protected under Indian law (GS1: Geography, GS4: Ethics)">Nicobarese</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nicobarese and Shompen — indigenous tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, whose forest rights and livelihoods are protected under Indian law (GS1: Geography, GS4: Ethics)">Shompen</span>. Their forest rights remain unsettled, prompting protests since 2022. The project’s scale would irrevocably alter the island’s demography, ecology, and cultural fabric.</p> <h2>UPSC Relevance</h2> <p>• <strong>Geography (GS1):</strong> Understanding the strategic importance of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Malacca Strait — one of the world’s busiest maritime passages linking the Indian Ocean with the Pacific, vital for international trade (GS3: Economy)">Malacca Strait</span> and the location of GNI. <p>• <strong>Polity (GS2):</strong> Role of Union Territory administration and central‑state coordination in large‑scale infrastructure projects. <p>• <strong>Economy (GS3):</strong> Impact of a mega‑port on India’s trade share, tourism‑driven employment, and regional development. <p>• <strong>Environment & Ethics (GS3/GS4):</strong> Balancing strategic development with biodiversity conservation, tribal rights, and judicial oversight by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Green Tribunal — a specialized judicial body for environmental protection and conservation (GS3: Environment)">NGT</span> and high courts.</p> <h2>Way Forward</h2> <p>To reconcile development with sustainability, the government should:</p> <ul> <li>Clearly publish the public‑consultation timeline and incorporate genuine feedback.</li> <li>Conduct an independent, transparent <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strategic Environmental Assessment — a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of policies, plans, or programmes (GS3: Environment)">Strategic Environmental Assessment</span> covering biodiversity, tribal livelihoods, and climate resilience.</li> <li>Ensure settlement of forest‑rights claims for the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nicobarese and Shompen — indigenous tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, whose forest rights and livelihoods are protected under Indian law (GS1: Geography, GS4: Ethics)">Nicobarese and Shompen</span> before relocation.</li> <li>Align the port’s commercial viability with national security objectives, avoiding duplication with existing ports.</li> <li>Monitor implementation through a multi‑stakeholder committee comprising central ministries, the Union Territory administration, environmental experts, and tribal representatives.</li> </ul> <p>Such a balanced approach would safeguard ecological and cultural assets while harnessing the island’s strategic potential for India’s maritime ambitions.</p>