155. World-class infrastructure in Andaman-Nicobar and Laskhadweep compatible with local ecosystem; developing tourism
Status: The ‘Holistic Development of Islands’ programme provides for environment zoning and carrying capacity assessments to maintain the ecological balance. Nonetheless, the infrastructure projects on Great Nicobar Island faced widespread criticism for the diversion of forest land, following which the National Green Tribunal constituted a committee to reassess the environmental clearances given to these projects. The development plans under the programme include tourism promotion, export of seafood and coconut products, and organic farming of high-value crops to provide additional income to the islanders. Tourists visiting Lakshadweep have grown five-fold in the past five years; in the case of Andaman-Nicobar, tourist arrivals have doubled in the past ten years. i ii iii