NITI's Project in Great Nicobar

Endemic & Endangered Species

Fauna

• giant leatherback turtle

• nicobar crake

• nicobar crab eating macaque

• nicobar tree shrew

• u/ National Marine Turtle Action Plan
  • lists Galathea Bay Wildlife Sactuary as a marine turtle habitat
    • as the largest nesting site for leatherback turtle
      • Schedule -I species u/ Wildlife Protection Act 1972
• denotification of GBWS and Megapode Wildlife Sanctuary
  • nicobar megapode ➡️ Sch-1, WPA

Tribal Communities

• Shompen
  • hunter-gatherers
  • PVTG
  • live in interiors
  • vulnerable to general population diseases
• Nicobarese
  • farming and fishing
  • Great & Little Nicobarese

Proposed Project

• by NITI
• implementation by ANIIDCO
• 72k Cr Plan
• holistic development
  • construction of intl. transshipment terminal
  • intl. airport
  • power plant
  • township
• AIM
  • participate in regional & global maritime economy
  • major player in cargo transshipment
  • airport
    • support to maritime services
    • intl. & national tourism (sustainable tourism)

Concerns

• tribal rights
• diversion of forest land (130km)
• felling of 10 lakh trees
• earthquake risks - @ ring of fire