New Delhi, Feb 17: The National Green Tribunal has cleared the proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal in Great Nicobar Island, holding that the environmental clearance (EC) includes adequate safeguards.
The order was passed on Monday by the NGT’s eastern zonal bench in Kolkata headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, while hearing objections to the port-linked plan involving a terminal, township and area development, along with a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant.
A batch of petitions had challenged the approvals, alleging violations of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification. This was the second round of litigation. In April 2023, the tribunal had largely upheld the EC but set up a high-powered committee (HPC) to examine specific concerns.
In its latest ruling, the tribunal said the EC conditions provide sufficient safeguards, and issues flagged earlier had been addressed by the HPC. Taking note of the project’s strategic significance and other relevant considerations, the bench said it found no ground to interfere with the clearance.
At the same time, the tribunal stressed that authorities and regulators must ensure strict compliance with the EC conditions. It said the strategic importance of the project cannot be ignored, but neither can the requirements under ICRZ—calling for a balanced approach.
The bench noted that the EC carries specific conditions to protect key species and habitats, including leatherback sea turtles, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, Nicobar macaque, robber crab, inter-tidal flora and fauna, and other endemic birds, along with measures such as mangrove restoration and coral translocation. It also noted safeguards for the welfare of local tribal communities, including Shompen and Nicobaris.
The tribunal said it found no ICRZ violation, but placed responsibility on the Union environment ministry to ensure that foreshore development does not lead to erosion or shoreline changes around the project area and across the islands, and that sandy beaches—important nesting sites for turtles and birds—are protected.
By Juhi | With inputs from PTI