The Great Nicobar Ecotourism Project
“The first rule of sustainability is to align with natural forces or at least not to defy them.” But what happens when sustainability scores full on paper, whereas on-ground strategies prioritize rapid development over ecological balance? Doesn't this situation feel like a script straight from a dystopian movie, riddled with promises of progress but overshadowed by environmental concerns. However, this is not a just mere plot but an accurate portrayal of the Great Nicobar Ecotourism Project.
The southernmost extent of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago is the scenic and largest jewel, the Great Nicobar Island. More than 1,03,870 hectares of rare and threatened tropical evergreen forests constitute this unique ecosystem, which is home to an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, several of which are endemic. Great Nicobar has always been valued for its natural scenery as well as for being a wildlife custodian, with two national parks and an UNESCO recognized biosphere reserve protecting its vulnerable ecosystems. But the island is right now in the media glare—not for its tranquility, but for an ambitious and contentious project: The Great Nicobar Mega Project.
This ambitious venture is a mix of high development proposals, huge investments, serious environmental issues, and a backdrop of controversy. Some perceive it as India's version of the 'New Hong Kong,' while others perceive it as a 'recipe for disaster’. In this blog, we go into the various aspects of the Great Nicobar Ecotourism Project, a landmark subset of the Mega Project. Let's explore its layers and determine where it lies on the sustainability scale.
The Great Nicobar Project is among India's biggest development projects that seeks to turn the nation's southernmost island into a strategic and economic hub. With an estimated investment of ₹75,000 crores, the project includes the development of a cutting-edge transshipment port that is capable of receiving 16 million containers annually, an international airport to enhance global connectivity, and a new township to support the increasing workforce and populace. Also part of the project is the development of luxury ecotourism infrastructure with the goal of bringing millions of tourists and making Great Nicobar a world tourism hub, which is going to be the at the core of this draft. Great Nicobar is in the ideal location to receive tourists and become a popular ecotourism hot spot given it's scenic landscapes, deltaic shoreline and beaches. Currently, the island's current accessibility to the Indian mainland and other foreign locations is restricted by elements like weather patterns and infrastructure. The suggested Project aims to address these obstacles through the construction of strong infrastructure to improve accessibility and support tourism, leading to a prosperous local economy. Proponents praise its potential to integrate the island with India's strategic maritime policy and global economy, viewing it as a transformative step towards regional prosperity. Nevertheless, with such ambitious aspirations come key challenges and environmental, biological, and indigenous issues of concerns. Since its inception, the project has attracted widespread concern and controversy due to its ecological repercussions. Depending on the course of development, the islands' economic, social, and environmental spheres are all impacted. But doesn’t development often come with environmental trade-offs? What makes this project contentious is the vulnerable ecosystem and heritage deeply intertwined with the essence of Great Nicobar.
Environmentally, the risks are colossal. Marked by threats to biodiversity and severe deforestation, environmentalists are criticizing the government clearance. The project calls for the removal of about one million trees, endangering such a diverse rainforest ecosystem. Additionally, such large-scale deforestation threatens habitat degradation, soil erosion, and climatic imbalance. Statistically, the experts point out that deforestation of mature tropical rainforests can release as much as 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare, or over 4.3 million tones of CO2 by deforesting 6,599 ha, which is equivalent to burning over 1.6 billion litres of diesel. While coral reefs are threatened by the construction of ports, flagship species like the Nicobar Megapode and leatherback turtles are in danger of losing their habitat. The environmental clearance granted in November 2022 mentions various mitigation procedures like creating a leatherback turtle sanctuary on Little Nicobar and restoring lost rainforests and coral reefs, to cope up with the side effects of developments. However, environmentalists don't view it in the most positive light , particularly given the poor track record of the government's compensatory afforestation. Adding fuel to the fire are the new proposed additions to the plan, including an international cruise terminal and high-end tourism infrastructure. The heated debate over the pros and cons continues but environmentalists firmly advocate for outcomes that favor ecology.
With their lands taken away, rights overlooked, sources of livelihood snatched, and cultural identity removed, these tribal people are left with nothing but the uncertain promises of development from which they are often excluded. The Social Impact Assessment concluded without taking into account the two indigenous tribes. The marginalization of indigenous voices creates ethical concerns, as these people play an important role in preserving the island's legacy.
Even economically, the promised gains are at a high price. The carbon footprint of the project, along with the difficulty of maintaining delicate ecosystems, raises doubts over its long-term sustainability. Another sparkling aspect is the denial of information on the project invoking issues of sovereignty, integrity, security, and strategic concerns of the country via Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act.Researchers have pointed out the inconsistency of limiting information about the entire project when only one component, the airport, had a defence connection.Environmentalists, conservationists, and opposition parties have expressed concerns about violations or lapses in the environmental process. Finally, the project presents a dilemma: Can development be balanced with conservation? The solution rests in inclusive policies, open governments, and devotion to safeguarding nature and culture. To make this truly an Ecotourism ride, the project needs to balance biodiversity, tribal communities and development. But as responsible humans, all we can do is stay informed and act within our means. Even small efforts, when brought together and amplified, can have a huge impact.
