ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION : ENVIRONMENT

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION : ENVIRONMENT

NEWS :  What do we know about ANIIDCO?

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Why has the qualifications of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation come into question after it got permission to do a ₹72,000 crore mega infrastructure project in Great Nicobar? Does the company have a proper internal environmental governance system?

 

ANIIDCO (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation)

  • Founded: June 28, 1988
  • Base: Port Blair
  • Type: Quasi-government entity
  • Main Goal: Commercial exploitation of natural resources for balanced, eco-friendly development
  • Key Activities:
    1. Trading petroleum products, liquor, and milk
    2. Managing tourism resorts
    3. Developing tourism and fisheries infrastructure
  • Financial Performance (Last 3 Years):
  • Average turnover: ₹370 crore
  • Average profit: ₹35 crore

 

Concerns About ANIIDCO’s Involvement

  • Challenges:
  • Lack of experience with large-scale projects
  • Limited resources
  • Absence of initial environmental policies
  • Great Nicobar’s Sensitivity:
  • Biodiversity hotspot
  • Home to Indigenous communities
  • Located in a tectonically active zone
  • Conflicts of Interest:
  • Petition filed against forest clearance by Conservation Action Trust
  • ANIIDCO’s managing director also held the position of Commissioner cum Secretary (Environment and Forests)
  • ANIIDCO’s chairman (Chief Secretary of the islands) part of the committee investigating project complaints

 

Great Nicobar Project (GNP)

  • Objective: Enhance India’s maritime and strategic presence in the Indian Ocean
  • Proponent: ANIIDCO
  • Location: Great Nicobar
  • Cost: ₹72,000 crore
  • Promoter: NITI Aayog
  • Key Components:
    1. Trans-shipment port
    2. Greenfield airport
    3. Tourism and township project
    4. Solar and gas-based power plant

 

Nicobar Islands

  • Location: Eastern Indian Ocean, part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • Islands: 22, with Great Nicobar being the largest
  • Biodiversity: Rich ecosystems, dense forests, coral reefs
  • Indigenous Tribes: Shompen, Nicobarese
  • Climate: Tropical
  • Natural Disaster Risk: Earthquakes, tsunamis
  • Strategic Location: Near major shipping routes

 

Environmental and Social Concerns

  • Deforestation: Risk to pristine rainforests
  • Endangered Species: Threatened ecosystems
  • Indigenous Communities: Potential social impact
  • Natural Disasters: Increased vulnerability

 Source : https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/what-do-we-know-about-aniidco-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-integrated-development-corporation/article68606680.ece