Current Affairs Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination

Topic: Environment Appraisal Committee and Andaman’s Development Plan

Why in News?

• ‹The Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) - Infrastructure I of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has flagged serious concerns about NITI Aayog’s ambitious project for Great Nicobar Island.

Key Observations of the Committee

• ‹The committee noted that the site selection for the port had been done mainly on technical and financial criteria, ignoring the environmental aspects.
• The committee has also asked for an independent study/ evaluation for the suitability of the proposed port site with specific focus on Leatherback Turtle, Nicobar Magapode and Dugong.
• Galathea Bay is an iconic nesting site in India of the enigmatic Giant Leatherback, the world's largest marine turtle.
• Further, there is a need for an independent assessment of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, a study on the impact of dredging, reclamation and port operations, including oil spills.
• The committee has also highlighted the need for studies of alternative sites for the port with a focus on environmental and ecological impact, analysis of risk-handling capabilities, a seismic and tsunami hazard map, a disaster management plan, an assessment of the cumulative impact, and a hydro-geological study to assess impact on round and surface water regimes.
• The committee has also asked for details of the corporate environment policy of the implementing agency — whether the company has an environment policy, a prescribed standard operating procedure to deal with environmental and forest violations, and a compliance management system.

About the Project

• ‹NITI Aayog has released a project document titled ‘Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island - Vision Document.’
• The document is the detailed plan to build a greenfield coastal city and free trade zones in the area.

• Zone 1 – 102 sq km of the east coast of Little Andaman is to be developed into a financial district, a tourism and a hospital district.
• Zone 2 – 85 sq km along the forest covers of the island is to be developed into the leisure zone with a film city and residential complexes which will also serve as a tourist hub.
• ˆZone 3 – Another 52 sq km along with the forest covers on the western coast, is to be a nature zone. This is further categorically planned to be developed into a forest resort, nature healing district and a nature retreat.

• ‹Furthermore, it also talked about the plans to harness scuba diving spots, develop ‘world-class’ infrastructure including hotels and resorts along with identifying spaces for ‘focused development’.
• Plans have been made to develop the transportation sector through an airport, expansion of the island’s jetty and a 100km greenfield ring highway.