During a National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing on Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Union government robustly defended its ambitious Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project. Officials asserted that they are fully cognizant of the project’s potential environmental consequences on the region’s rich biodiversity, emphasizing that their awareness, rather than denial, is a central tenet of their approach.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that the government views mitigation as a crucial responsibility. She highlighted the Centre’s commitment to implementing comprehensive conservation and monitoring programs over the next three decades throughout the project’s development. ‘We’ve enlisted top scientific minds to drive this initiative, conduct essential research, propose mitigation strategies, and guide us for the project’s entire thirty-year duration,’ Ms. Bhati explained, stressing the project’s significance as a ‘national asset.’
These submissions were made in response to a series of petitions challenging the environmental clearance granted for the ₹92,000 crore project. This massive undertaking includes plans for a transshipment port, an international airport, a township, and a power plant, spanning over 160 square kilometers of land. Approximately 130 square kilometers of this area are forest lands inhabited by the Nicobarese and Shompen communities, both recognized Scheduled Tribes, with the Shompen being classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
One notable petition, submitted by activist Ashish Kothari, specifically disputes the project’s clearances. It alleges violations of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification, the 2019 notification, and points to deficiencies in the environmental impact assessment. Furthermore, Mr. Kothari has separately raised concerns about the confidentiality of the High-Powered Committee’s report, which was compiled under earlier NGT directives.
Addressing Biodiversity Impact
Presenting its arguments before the NGT Bench, the Union government affirmed that its mitigation measures were informed by decades of studies and research. These measures are designed to translocate, conserve, and meticulously monitor the project’s impact on the region’s biodiversity.
Ms. Bhati referenced specific studies, detailing plans to translocate over 16,000 of the 20,668 coral colonies threatened by the project. An additional strategy is in place to monitor the remaining 4,500-plus coral colonies, enabling future translocation decisions based on ongoing observations. She also noted the presence of approximately 51 active nests of the Nicobar megapode within the project area. While about 30 of these nests will be permanently lost, comprehensive plans are in effect to conserve the surviving nests.
“The government is fully aware of Galathea Bay’s strategic location at the tip of the Islands. The intention is not to destroy biodiversity there. Biodiversity is prevalent across the Islands, and this specific region was deemed the most suitable for development. All other nesting beaches vital for leatherback turtles will receive protection and conservation, with dedicated resources allocated,” Ms. Bhati emphasized.
She further elaborated that similar conservation strategies have been developed for various other flora and fauna species, including the saltwater crocodile, the Nicobar macaque, and critical mangrove forests. The government also cited successful past translocations of coral colonies, reporting survival rates exceeding 90%. Officials reassured the tribunal that no tribal persons would face displacement, noting that the project will only encompass 1.82% of the archipelago’s total area—or roughly 18% of Great Nicobar, leaving over two-thirds of the island’s landmass as intact forests.
Long-Term Conservation Plans Extend to 2052
The Centre also defended the project’s environmental clearance as a dynamic document, one that mandates detailed studies, research, and monitoring of the region’s biodiversity throughout the project’s development, with conservation measures extending until 2052.
Government submissions also highlighted the sanctioning of three new wildlife sanctuaries dedicated to conserving endemic species. Furthermore, two all-weather research stations are mandated for the Islands to continuously monitor biodiversity and recommend necessary interventions.
Regarding the confidentiality of the High-Powered Committee’s report, the Centre explained that certain project elements are defense-related, necessitating discretion. It maintained that the committee had thoroughly re-examined all challenges to the environmental clearance, not just the three points initially raised by the NGT. In addition to the three mandated monitoring committees focusing on pollution, biodiversity, and tribal welfare, an overarching committee has been established to coordinate their efforts.
An expert member on the NGT Bench suggested increasing the independence of the tribal welfare monitoring committee, which currently comprises only members from the Andaman and Nicobar administration. The inclusion of the Union Tribal Affairs Secretary or their representative on this committee was recommended.
The next hearing for this matter is scheduled for November 7.