Supreme Court rejects Union plea to stay Great Nicobar Island Project proceedings
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Judiciary & landmark judgments· Prelims + Mains·
Judicial review of infrastructure vs. indigenous rights: a GS2 and Environmental Governance case study.
Why in news
The Supreme Court rejected a Union government plea to stay Calcutta High Court proceedings regarding the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Project challenged by former Union Environment Secretary Meena Gupta.
Background
The Great Nicobar Island Project is valued at ₹72,000 crore. The petitioner, Meena Gupta, alleged that the project poses a threat to the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Facts for Prelims
- BodySupreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- FactGreat Nicobar Island Project estimated cost: ₹72,000 crore
- Act / BillForest Rights Act, 2006
- PlaceGreat Nicobar Island
Prelims practice question
With reference to the Great Nicobar Island Project, consider the following statements:
- The project is alleged to pose a threat to the Forest Rights Act, 1998.
- The Supreme Court rejected the Union's plea to stay Calcutta High Court proceedings.
- The project has an estimated cost of ₹72,000 crore.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)3 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)2 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The note states it poses a threat to the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
For Mains
Q. Examine the conflict between large-scale infrastructure development and the preservation of indigenous forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Legal conflict: Balancing strategic infrastructure goals against statutory protections for tribal forest rights
- Environmental oversight: Judicial scrutiny of large-scale ecological impact in sensitive island ecosystems
Keywords: Judicial Review · Forest Rights Act · Strategic Infrastructure · Environmental Governance · Public Interest Litigation
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.