ग्रेट निकोबार द्वीप परियोजना: पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने जारी की नई सुरक्षा गाइडलाइंस
सरकार ने ग्रेट निकोबार द्वीप पर चल रही मेगा विकास परियोजना के लिए पारिस्थितिक संतुलन बनाए रखने हेतु नई और सख्त पर्यावरणीय शर्तें लागू की हैं।
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- New stringent environmental guidelines issued by MoEFCC for the Great Nicobar Island development project.
- Project includes an international transshipment terminal, airport, and township near the Malacca Strait.
- Affected coral reefs will be translocated to new sites.
- Leatherback turtle nesting grounds declared 'No-Go Zones' to protect endangered species.
- Mandatory compensatory afforestation: 10 trees to be planted for every 1 tree felled.
- Project aims to boost India's maritime trade and geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific.
- Balancing economic development with the conservation of a critical biodiversity hotspot is the key challenge.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–8 | State PCS papers test both central environment policy and state-specific conservation achievements. |
Key Facts to Remember: ग्रेट निकोबार द्वीप परियोजना: पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने जारी की नई सुरक्षा गाइडलाइंस
- New stringent environmental guidelines issued by MoEFCC for the Great Nicobar Island development project.
- Project includes an international transshipment terminal, airport, and township near the Malacca Strait.
- Affected coral reefs will be translocated to new sites.
- Leatherback turtle nesting grounds declared 'No-Go Zones' to protect endangered species.
- Mandatory compensatory afforestation: 10 trees to be planted for every 1 tree felled.
- Project aims to boost India's maritime trade and geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific.
- Balancing economic development with the conservation of a critical biodiversity hotspot is the key challenge.
Practice Questions
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the Great Nicobar Island development project?
- To develop a major tourist destination
- To establish an international transshipment terminal and related infrastructure
- To create a naval base for the Indian Navy
- To conduct scientific research on marine life
Explanation: The project's main objective is to develop a large-scale international transshipment port, an airport, and a township, significantly enhancing India's maritime trade capabilities.
Q2. Which endangered species' nesting grounds are designated as 'No-Go Zones' under the new environmental guidelines for the Great Nicobar project?
- Saltwater crocodiles
- Dugongs
- Leatherback turtles
- Green sea turtles
Explanation: The nesting grounds of the critically endangered Leatherback turtles have been declared 'No-Go Zones' to ensure their protection during the vulnerable nesting and hatching periods.
Q3. What is the compensatory afforestation ratio mandated for the Great Nicobar Island development project?
- 1 tree for every 1 tree felled
- 5 trees for every 1 tree felled
- 10 trees for every 1 tree felled
- 2 trees for every 1 tree felled
Explanation: The new guidelines stipulate that for every tree felled during the project's execution, 10 new trees must be planted as compensatory afforestation to mitigate habitat loss.
Q4. The Great Nicobar Island development project is strategically located near which major global shipping lane?
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
- Strait of Hormuz
- Malacca Strait
Explanation: The island's proximity to the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, is a key factor driving the strategic importance of the transshipment terminal project.
Q5. Which government ministry has issued the new environmental guidelines for the Great Nicobar Island project?
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Ministry of Shipping and Ports
Explanation: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency responsible for environmental clearances and has issued the latest set of stringent guidelines to ensure ecological sustainability.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams — ग्रेट निकोबार द्वीप परियोजना: पर्यावरण मंत्रालय न…
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