Why in the News?

According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's statement in the Rajya Sabha, approximately 964,000 trees are expected to be cut down for the implementation of the Great Nicobar Island Project.

About Great Nicobar Island Project:

• Ministry:
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Implementing Agency:
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
• The project is a massive undertaking with a budget of ?72,000 crore and is spearheaded by NITI Aayog, known as NITI Aayog's Project for Great Nicobar Island.
• Objective:
• The primary goal of the project is to achieve holistic development for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI).
• The project's vision is to transform the Great Nicobar Island, situated in the Bay of Bengal, into a modern, sustainable, and self-sufficient territory, thus facilitating the comprehensive development of Great Nicobar.

The plan comprises four key components:

• A transshipment port at Galathea Bay with an investment of ?35,000 crore.
• Development of a dual-use military-civil international airport.
• Establishment of a power plant.
• Creation of a township to support the overall project.