Current Affairs

Sign in
ભૂગોળGS3
GS3

Great Nicobar Project and Environmental Jurisprudence Challenges

Source:The Hindu ↗

આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે

The case is a prime example of the ongoing tussle between national security/strategic infrastructure goals and ecological protection of biodiversity hotspots and indigenous habitats in India.

સારાંશ

The Central government has moved the Supreme Court seeking to stay further hearings on challenges against the massive Great Nicobar Project, underscoring tensions between strategic mega-infrastructure development in fragile island ecosystems and legal-environmental accountability.

મુખ્ય મુદ્દા

  • The Centre has approached the Supreme Court to seek a stay on ongoing judicial hearings regarding the controversial Great Nicobar Project.
  • The massive infrastructure and transhipment port project has faced legal challenges concerning environmental clearances, ecological degradation, and its impact on indigenous tribal communities.
  • The case highlights the friction between large-scale strategic infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive zones and robust environmental jurisprudence.

મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો

Great Nicobar Project

A massive ₹92,000-crore infrastructure development plan on Great Nicobar Island comprising a transshipment port, power plant, airport, and township, facing legal challenges over ecological damage and tribal rights.

UPSC context

GS Paper III (Environment & Biodiversity / Infrastructure); tests the balance between strategic development and conservation in fragile ecosystems.

Source
Supreme Court

The apex judicial body of India empowered under Article 132-136 to review executive actions, legislative enactments, and protect fundamental rights and environmental jurisprudence.

UPSC context

GS Paper II (Indian Polity - Judiciary); tests powers of judicial review, PILs, and federal disputes.

Source

પ્રિલિમ્સ ટ્રેપ

The Great Nicobar Project required standard state-level environment and forest clearances without specialized island authority oversight.

Aspirants often assume environmental clearances for projects in Andaman & Nicobar are governed by the state forest department, whereas island ecosystems involve special central bodies and unique notification frameworks like the Island Development Agency.

સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો

Indian Society & Governance

What are the key categories and legal provisions concerning Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India?

  • Definition: PVTGs are marginalized tribal communities characterized by declining population, pre-agricultural level of technology, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence economy.
  • Identification: Identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs and now designated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; 75 groups are officially notified across India.
  • Island PVTGs: Shompen and Nicobarese (specifically Great Nicobar / Nicobar subgroups) are prominent PVTGs inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન

  • Strategic Infrastructure vs. Environmental Jurisprudence

    Mega-projects in sensitive zones test the judiciary's balance between national security/geopolitics (Indo-Pacific posture) and administrative law/environmental jurisprudence.

  • PVTG Protection vs. Developmental Displacement

    Developmental pressures on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) link infrastructure clearance cases with Fifth/Sixth Schedule and Fifth-zone tribal rights debates.

Great Nicobar Project + EIA notification changes + PVTG vulnerabilities will likely appear as a multi-statement Mains or Prelims question.

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

  • 2014MainsGS3

    Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads.

  • 2022MainsGS2

    “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

  • 2026PrelimsGS1

    With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate. 2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon. 3. Maximum precipitation is between December and May. Select the answer using the code given below :