Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Great Nicobar project will boost maritime global trade; India aims to be among top five shipbuilding countries.
More in News:
- Government plans to increase port handling capacity from 2,700 MTPA to 10,000 MTPA, building new mega ports to strengthen maritime infrastructure.
- $5-billion Great Nicobar infrastructure project includes power plant, transshipment port, airport but it faces criticism over environmental concerns and forest rights violations.
- India Maritime Week 2025 features participation from 100 countries, 350 speakers, 500 companies, and one lakh delegates expecting ₹10 lakh crore investment.
- India’s 11,500 km coastline across 13 coastal states contributes 60% to GDP. Further, Shah highlights India’s leadership role in Indo-Pacific region.
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced plans to reduce logistics cost to 9% from current 16%, comparing with China’s 8% and Europe’s 12%.
- Minister Sarbananda Sonowal revealed 680 MoUs worth ₹10 lakh crore scheduled for signing during India Maritime Week, strengthening maritime sector investments.
Q- “Balancing developmental aspirations with environmental conservation remains a key challenge for island territories like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.” Examine this statement in the context of the Great Nicobar Project. (250 words, 15 marks)