New Delhi, February 17 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has approved the proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal in Great Nicobar Island, stating that adequate safeguards have been provided in the environmental clearance (EC) conditions.
The eastern zonal bench of Kolkata, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, passed the order on Monday while hearing the objections to the proposed terminal, township, area development, and a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant.
Earlier, a batch of petitions challenged the clearances granted for the project, claiming violations of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification.
This was the second round of litigation concerning the project. In April 2023, the tribunal largely upheld the EC while constituting a high-powered committee (HPC) to examine specific concerns.
"We find that adequate safeguards have been provided in the EC conditions, and in the first round of litigation, the tribunal refused to interfere with the EC, and the remaining issues noted by the tribunal in the first round of litigation have been dealt with by the HPC. Considering the strategic importance of the project and taking into account other relevant considerations, we do not find any good reason to interfere," the tribunal said.
However, it emphasized that the authorities and regulatory agencies had to ensure full and strict compliance with the EC conditions.
The tribunal said that it was a case where the strategic importance of the project could not be denied, nor could the conditions of the ICRZ notification be ignored.
It said, "Therefore, a balanced approach is required while considering the issue of allowing the development of the port in a strategic location."
The tribunal noted that specific conditions were incorporated in the EC for the protection of leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, the impact of invasive species on native flora, the impact on inter-tidal flora and fauna, Nicobar Macaque, Robber Crab, and other endemic bird species of Great Nicobar Island, mangrove restoration, coral translocation, and the welfare of the local tribal population of Shompen and Nicobaris.
It said that there was no violation of the ICRZ notification.
"However, it will be the responsibility of Respondent 1 (Union environment ministry) to ensure that, due to the proposed constructions, which include foreshore development, there is no erosion/shoreline change abutting the project area and all along the islands.
"The shoreline of the island will be protected, ensuring no loss of sandy beaches, as these beaches provide nesting sites for turtles and bird nesting sites, apart from protecting the islands," the tribunal said.
