Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO)

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Context:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) has recently submitted conclusions from a high-powered committee (HPC) formed by the National Green Tribunal in 2023.

More in news:

• The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project includes constructing an airport for civilian and defense use, an international container transshipment terminal, and a township.
• The project has been allocated Rs 72,000 crore.
• However it has faced legal hurdles in NGT and the Calcutta High Court.
• The HPC of the National Green Tribunal found that the proposed transshipment port falls outisde the Island Coastal Regulation Zone-IA (ICRZ-IA), where ports are prohibited.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO)

• It is a central government agency which implements and manages the infrastructure projects in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It oversees development initiatives, including the Great Nicobar Island project, focusing on enhancing regional infrastructure and economic growth.
• It is also the implementing agency of Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

It is an area along India's coastline that is subject to specific regulations to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

It includes:

• Coastal areas: Up to 500 metres from the high tide line (HTL).
• River banks: Up to 100 metres along the banks of creeks, estuaries, backwaters, and rivers.

Rules

• The CRZ was first notified by the Government of India in 1991 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• The CRZ rules include restrictions on the development of industries and processing plants in the area.

Implementation

• State governments are responsible for implementing the CRZ rules through their Coastal Zone Management Authorities.

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Floral diversity in A&N Islands The flora of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is diverse, with different types of forests and vegetation in different areas of the islands: ●South Andaman: This area has a lot of epiphytic vegetation, mainly ferns and orchids. ●Middle Andaman: This area has mostly moist deciduous forests. ●North Andaman: This area has wet evergreen forests with many woody climbers. ●North Nicobar Islands: This area is mostly barren and covered by grasslands. ●Central and southern Nicobar Islands: This area has mostly evergreen forests. Faunal Diversity ●A&N islands comprise only 0.25% of India’s geographical area but it is home to more than 10% of the country’s fauna. ●The presence of a large number of species in such a small Island makes the islands one of the rich biodiversity hotspots in India. ●Narcondam hornbill, Nicobar megapode (a bird that builds nests on the ground); Nicobar treeshrew (a small mole-like mammal), Long-tailed Nicobar macaque, and the Andaman day gecko are endemic faunal species found only on the A&N Islands. ●The Dugong (sea cow), and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin are classified as Vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. ●Three species from the Islands have been categorised as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List — Andaman shrew (Crocidura andamanensis), Jenkin’s shrew (C. jenkinsi) and Nicobar shrew (C. nicobarica). ●About 500 species of scleractinian corals which are hard or stony corals from the Islands Have been protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project and its challenges has been covered in detail in the following article:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/great-nicobar-project-37

Andaman and Nicobar islands

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/andaman-and-nicobar-islands

Eco sensitive zones:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/eco-sensitive-zone

Sources:

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_international/issues/98196/OPS/GU8D9PVMC.1.png?cropFromPage=true

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Regulation_Zone#:~:text=The%20notification%20imposed%20restriction%20on,in%202003%20notifications%20as%20well.&text=CRZ%2D2:%20These%20areas%20are,index%20norms%20has%20been%20unfrozen.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/coastal-regulation-zone-notification-what-development-are-we-clearing-our-coasts-for-63061#:~:text=Under%20these%20circumstances%2C%20it%20is,just%20leave%20the%20beach%20intact!

 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Andaman and Nicobar island is strategically important for India. However, its ecological vulnerability and the impact of climate change on its ecology and indigenous people makes the execution of infrastructure projects in the island difficult. Critically analyse in the context of the recent Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project of the union government. (250 words)