Mains Question: Great Nicobar Island Development Project

1. Enhancing Maritime Security and Strategic Reach

The development of an international transshipment port at Galathea Bay, along with an airstrip and dual-use military-civilian infrastructure, would significantly enhance India’s maritime security posture in the eastern Indian Ocean.

It provides a strategic vantage point for monitoring Chinese naval activity, particularly submarine movement, in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The project strengthens India’s “Act East” policy and aligns with the Indo-Pacific strategy, allowing India to play a more proactive role in safeguarding freedom of navigation and rules-based maritime order.

The integration of coastal radar systems, naval facilities, and logistics hubs will act as a force multiplier for Indian defense forces, especially the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) — India’s only tri-service theatre command.

2. Counterbalancing China’s Maritime Influence

• The Indian Ocean has seen an increasing Chinese naval presence, particularly under China’s “String of Pearls” strategy—a network of ports and bases aimed at encircling India.
• By turning Great Nicobar into a strategic outpost, India is effectively countering this influence and ensuring strategic deterrence.
• The project complements other regional maritime partnerships under the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and initiatives like IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative).
• Balancing Developmental Goals with Ecological and Tribal Rights
• While the strategic and economic rationale for the project is compelling, it presents significant ecological challenges and social justice concerns, especially with respect to indigenous rights and environmental conservation.

3. Environmental Sensitivity of the Region

• Great Nicobar is an ecological hotspot, featuring pristine rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and rare/endemic species such as the Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodile, and leatherback turtles.
• The proposed development involves large-scale deforestation (130+ sq km), coastal dredging, and other activities that could cause irreversible ecological damage.
• Concerns have also been raised over the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, which has been criticized for being rushed and inadequate in addressing long-term sustainability.

4. Protection of Tribal and Indigenous Communities

• The island is home to the Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), and the Nicobarese people. The Shompens live in isolation and are deeply dependent on the forest ecosystem.
• Large-scale migration and infrastructure development could lead to displacement, cultural disruption, and health risks for these communities.
• Development without adequate consultation and consent could violate constitutional protections under Article 244 (Fifth and Sixth Schedules), the Forest Rights Act (2006), and international norms like ILO Convention 169 (though India is not a signatory, its principles are widely accepted).

A Way Forward: Sustainable, Inclusive Development

To ensure that the project does not become a case of ecological and cultural erosion in the name of national security, India must adopt a phased, consultative, and ecologically sensitive approach, such as:

1. Strengthening Environmental Safeguards

• Conduct independent and transparent EIAs with the participation of environmental experts, scientists, and local stakeholders.
• Protect ecologically sensitive zones through zoning regulations and no-go areas, especially nesting grounds of endangered species.

2. Respecting Tribal Autonomy

• Ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of tribal communities as per international best practices.
• Involve tribal councils and local governance institutions in decision-making processes.
• Preserve cultural identities through in-situ development models rather than relocation.

3. Promoting Sustainable Infrastructure

• Use green construction techniques, renewable energy, and low-impact technologies to reduce the ecological footprint.
• Create mechanisms for long-term ecological monitoring and accountability under institutions like the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

4. Ensuring Strategic Purpose without Overreach

• Maintain the focus on strategic infrastructure without promoting unchecked commercial exploitation or tourism that could exacerbate ecological stress.
• Collaborate with international partners for capacity-building and sustainable maritime governance, without compromising sovereignty.

Conclusion

The Great Nicobar Island Development Project represents a pivotal step in strengthening India’s maritime posture and realizing its aspirations as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. However, national security and economic development cannot come at the cost of ecological degradation and cultural extinction.

India must demonstrate that strategic goals and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. A balanced, inclusive, and ecologically responsible approach will not only enhance India’s credibility on the global stage but also ensure that its rise as a maritime power is rooted in sustainability and social justice.