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National Importance, Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

05/09/24 10:29 AM IST

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation

In News
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) is the project proponent for the NITI Aayog-promoted ₹72,000 crore mega infrastructure project in Great Nicobar, the southernmost island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. 
About ANIIDCO
  • ANIIDCO was incorporated on June 28, 1988 under the Companies Act.
  • Its objective is “to develop and commercially exploit natural resources for the balanced and environment friendly development of the territory.”
  • Its main activities, according to its website, include trading of petroleum products, Indian made foreign liquor and milk, managing tourism resorts and infrastructure development for tourism and fisheries.
  • The company’s average annual turnover and profit over the last three financial years has been ₹370 crore and ₹35 crore, respectively.
  • The corporation’s mandate, history, its structure and capabilities raise serious concerns about the process and possible outcomes of making them responsible for such a high profile, high investment and high risk project as the one in Great Nicobar.
  • The 910 sq km island is not just a biodiversity hotspot but also home to indigenous communities with special rights and is also located in one of the most tectonically active zones. 
Conflicts of Interests
  • In 2022, the Mumbai based Conservation Action Trust had filed a petition before the National Green Tribunal challenging the Stage 1 forest clearance granted by the Union Environment Ministry.
  • It had pointed out that at the time forest clearance was granted to ANIIDCO, the corporation’s managing director was the same person who was also the Commissioner cum Secretary (Environment and Forests) of the island.
  • It is clear, the petition noted, that this is “a case of the project proponent certifying itself.”
  • Further, it added that the responsibility to assess compliance with the Stage I forest clearance conditions vests with the same authority that has a responsibility to ensure compliance with the conditions.
  • This same pattern was repeated when the Chief Secretary of the islands, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of ANIIDCO, was made a key member of the high powered committee set up by the NGT to look into complaints against the project.
  • ANIIDCO was being allowed to evaluate its own actions again. Numerous persons employed at ANIIDCO in various capacities are currently civil servants with the Andaman and Nicobar administration in charge of environmental and tribal welfare issues.
Source- The Hindu

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