Another overarching central panel for Great Nicobar project set up

The Union ministry of environment forests and climate change (MoEFCC) set up a new “overarching committee” last year that will ensure the implementation of the report of the high powered committee appointed by it on instructions from the National Green Tribunal to review environmental clearance conditions for the Great Nicobar Holistic Development project that has not been made public for reasons of national security.

- Jayashree Nandi

The formation of the new committee has come to light only now. In annexures submitted by MoEFCC along with its affidavit to the NGT in Ashish Kothari Vs MoEFCC on July 5, the ministry said the overarching committee was formed to oversee smooth coordination between monitoring and implementing agencies for implementation of wildlife conservation plans and tribal welfare plans as per the environmental clearance and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance for holistic development of Great Nicobar Island project.

The overarching committee is headed by chief secretary, A&N Administration and its members include: Managing Director, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO); Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A & N Administration; Secretary (Tribal Welfare), A & N Administration; Director (Zoological Survey of India); Director (Botanical Survey of India); Director (Wildlife Institute of India); and Executive Director (GNI), ANIIDCO as member secretary of the committee.