What Happened
- A six-member special bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, dismissed multiple appeals challenging the environmental clearance granted to the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project.
- The bench ruled that it found "no good ground" to interfere with the environmental clearance, noting that "adequate safeguards" had been incorporated into the project conditions.
- The NGT cited the "strategic importance" of the project, observing that its strategic significance for India outweighs the environmental objections raised by petitioners.
- Specific conditions were noted for the protection of leatherback sea turtles, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, and other endemic bird species of Great Nicobar Island.
- The challenge to forest clearances remains pending before the Calcutta High Court, with final hearing scheduled for the week beginning March 30, 2026.
Static Topic Bridges
National Green Tribunal (NGT) — Structure, Powers, and Jurisdiction
The National Green Tribunal was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, making India the third country in the world (after Australia and New Zealand) to set up a specialised environmental tribunal. The NGT has both original jurisdiction (Section 14) and appellate jurisdiction (Section 16) over civil cases involving substantial questions relating to the environment.
- Established: October 18, 2010, under NGT Act, 2010
- Jurisdiction covers seven laws listed in Schedule I: Water Act (1974), Water Cess Act (1977), Forest Conservation Act (1980), Air Act (1981), Environment Protection Act (1986), Public Liability Insurance Act (1991), Biological Diversity Act (2002)
- Not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — guided by principles of natural justice (Section 19)
- Must apply three principles while passing orders: sustainable development, precautionary principle, and polluter pays principle
- Mandated to dispose of cases within 6 months of filing
- Appeals against NGT orders lie before the Supreme Court within 90 days (Section 22)
Connection to this news: The NGT exercised its original jurisdiction under Section 14 to hear challenges against the environmental clearance of the Great Nicobar project and dismissed them, finding adequate safeguards. The ruling can now be challenged before the Supreme Court under Section 22.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearance Process
The Environmental Impact Assessment process in India is governed by the EIA Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Projects are categorised into Category A (requiring central clearance from the Expert Appraisal Committee under MoEFCC) and Category B (requiring state-level clearance). The process involves four stages: screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal.
- Legal basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, read with EIA Notification, 2006 (as amended)
- Category A projects: Appraised by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under MoEFCC
- Four-stage process: Screening, Scoping, Public Consultation, Appraisal
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance also required for projects near the coast under CRZ Notification, 2019
- Forest clearance required separately under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for diversion of forest land
- The 2020 Draft EIA Notification proposed to ease some provisions but faced criticism for reducing public consultation timelines
Connection to this news: The Great Nicobar project required both environmental clearance (now upheld by NGT) and forest clearance (still pending before the Calcutta High Court), illustrating how mega-infrastructure projects must navigate multiple layers of environmental regulation.
Great Nicobar Island — Strategic Significance and Biodiversity
Great Nicobar Island is India's southernmost point, located approximately 150 km from the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes handling roughly 25% of global trade. The island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory governed directly by the central government. It is also home to the Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), and the Galathea Bay area is one of the world's most important nesting grounds for the leatherback sea turtle (IUCN: Vulnerable).
- Location: Southernmost island of India, 6.75 degrees North latitude, closest Indian territory to the Malacca Strait
- Indigenous community: Shompen tribe (PVTG) with an estimated population of approximately 200-300 individuals, protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956
- Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises Shompen rights over forest reserves
- Key species: Leatherback sea turtle (IUCN Vulnerable), Nicobar megapode (IUCN Vulnerable), Nicobar long-tailed macaque (endemic), saltwater crocodile
- Galathea National Park: Established in 1992, covers 110 sq km of the southern tip
- Campbell Bay National Park: Covers 426 sq km in the northern part
- Project components: International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay (16 million TEU capacity), dual-use international airport, 450 MVA power plant, and integrated township across 16,610 hectares
- Implementing agency: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)
- Project conceived by NITI Aayog; total investment: Rs 81,000 crore
Connection to this news: The NGT acknowledged the strategic importance of the project's location near the Malacca Strait while ruling that environmental safeguards adequately addressed concerns about the leatherback turtle nesting grounds and endemic species.
Key Facts & Data
- Project cost: Rs 81,000 crore (approximately $9.4 billion)
- ICTT capacity: 16 million TEUs (Phase I: 4 million TEUs)
- Airport peak-hour capacity: 4,000 passengers
- Power plant: 450 MVA capacity
- Total project area: 16,610 hectares
- Distance from Malacca Strait: approximately 150 km
- Galathea National Park area: 110 sq km
- Campbell Bay National Park area: 426 sq km
- NGT bench: 6 members, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava
- Forest clearance hearing: Calcutta High Court, week of March 30, 2026