Recently, the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island Vision Document has raised eyebrows among conservationists. The 680 sq km Little Andaman Island in the Andaman and Nicobar group is slated for sustainable and holistic development. The prime minister had announced plans to develop the Andaman and Nicobar islands into a maritime and startup hub back in 2020.
Purpose of the Plan
The plan aims to enhance India’s security by leveraging the strategic location and natural features of the island. Located strategically in the Indian Ocean region, enhancing infrastructure and connectivity on the island will bolster India’s military and naval strength.
The Plan: A New Greenfield Coastal City
The proposed development includes building a new greenfield coastal city. This city would function as a free trade zone and could compete with hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Three Development Zones
The island’s development will be divided into three zones. Zone 1 will host the monetary district and medi metropolis, incorporating an aerocity, tourism and hospital district. Zone 2, a leisure zone, will house a film city, residential district and tourism Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Zone 3 will be preserved as a nature zone, featuring an exclusive forest resort, nature healing district, and a nature retreat.
Transportation Development
Central to the plan is the establishment of a global airport equipped to handle all types of aircraft. An upgraded jetty and a developed marina next to the tourist entertainment district are also planned. A 100 km greenfield ring road parallel to the shoreline, supplemented by a mass rapid transit network, will boost connectivity.
Bottlenecks in the Plan
Challenges in the plan include lack of connectivity with the Indian mainland and global cities. The island’s fragile biodiversity, certain Supreme Court notifications, and concerns for indigenous tribes stand as obstacles to this development.
Proposed Solutions
The proposal calls for the de-reservation of 32% of the reserved forest and de-notification of 31% of the tribal reserve. If tribes become an obstacle, the plan suggests possible relocation.
Flaws in the Proposal
Critiques of the proposal highlight its lack of budgeting, inadequate inventories of forests and ecological wealth, lack of impact assessment details and geological vulnerability considerations.
Forest Department’s Concern
The Divisional Forest Officer of Little Andaman has raised serious concerns about the proposal, citing ecological fragility, indigenous rights, vulnerability to seismic activities, and potential irreversible environmental damage.
About Little Andaman Island
Little Andaman Island is the fourth largest island in the Andamans. Also known as Hut Bay, it hosts a diverse population including Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Ranchi communities, and the Onge Tribes. Its connectivity with the capital town of Port Blair is limited, making it less explored.
