Great Nicobar Island

The Great Nicobar Island is in the news due to a Draft Report on a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) prepared by NITI Aayog. This report is part of the larger "Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island" project, which aims to significantly transform the island.

Key Points from the Report:

Positive Impacts:

1. Economic Growth: The development project, which includes the construction of a Greenfield International Airport, is expected to spur economic growth by creating new business opportunities and increasing employment.
2. Increased Land Value: As the island develops, the value of land is anticipated to rise, benefiting property owners and investors.

Negative Impacts:

1. Loss of Productive Land: The development will lead to the loss of agricultural land and land currently used for housing, which could affect local food production and displace current residents.
2. Increased Population Influx: The project is likely to attract a large number of people from outside the island, leading to potential overcrowding and a loss of privacy for existing inhabitants.

The SIA report highlights the complex trade-offs between economic development and environmental and social impacts, which will be critical for stakeholders to address as the project progresses.

About Great Nicobar Island (GNI)

Great Nicobar Island (GNI) is a notable and ecologically rich part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

General Information

• Size: 910 sq. km, making it one of the largest islands in the archipelago.
• Location: Southernmost tip of the Nicobar group, approximately 520 km from Port Blair.
• Southernmost Point: Indira Point (formerly Pygmalion Point) is the southernmost point of India.
• Headquarters: Campbell Bay

Ecological Characteristics

• Landscape: Features tropical wet evergreen forests, mountain ranges up to 642 meters (Mt. Thullier), and coastal plains.
• Fauna:
  • Mammals: Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar Tree Shrew, Dugong.
  • Birds: Nicobar Megapode, Serpent Eagle.
  • Reptiles: Saltwater crocodile.
  • Marine Life: Marine turtles.
• Flora:
  • Trees and Plants: Cyathea albosetacea (tree fern), Phalaenopsis speciosa (orchid), gymnosperms, bryophytes, lichens.
• Protected Areas:
  • Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve: Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2013.
  • Campbell Bay National Park
  • Galathea National Park

Socio-Economic Characteristics

• Indigenous Tribes:
  • Shompen: An indigenous tribe with traditional practices.
  • Nicobarese: Indigenous people of the Nicobar Islands.
• Settlers: Over 8,000 settlers and mainlanders reside along the southeast coast. They engage in agriculture, horticulture, and fishing.