India’s Southernmost Tip: Importance of Indira Point

Context

The Union Government has announced plans for structural restoration and tourism development of the historic Indira Point Lighthouse on Great Nicobar Island, while keeping in mind the security of the seas and the preservation of the historic architectural site together with the conservation and support of tourism and environment in the framework of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ).

Key Highlights

• The Indira Point Lighthouse is being proposed for restoration and development by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• The project is to fortify the old lighthouse, stabilize it from coastal erosion and build the eco-tourism facilities.
• The proposed works are located in ecologically sensitive coastal areas and thus will need to be approved under the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019.

What is Indira Point?

• The southernmost point of India is on the Great Nicobar Island at Indira Point.
• It is situated near the Galathea Bay, an International Container Transshipment Port proposed by India, which is strategically important.
• It was previously called Pygmalion Point, but became Indira Gandhi’s Point in 1985.
• Commissioned in 1972, the lighthouse is an important navigation aid along the Singapore–Colombo international shipping route.

What makes the Lighthouse important?

• Maritime Significance
  • Helps to navigate foreign trade ships safely.
  • Facilitates future sea access to the proposed transshipment port in Galathea Bay.
  • Increases India’s presence in the eastern Indian Ocean.
• Strategic Importance
  • Strengthens India’s strategic presence in the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest waterways.
  • Contributes to India’s maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Heritage Value
  • Is a significant historical and navigational site.
  • Maintains the heritage of the sea for the coming generations of India.

Why is Protection Necessary?

• There was a substantial amount of subsidence in Great Nicobar Island following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami.
• Since the disaster, the lighthouse foundation has been continuously exposed to seawater, wave action and coastal erosion.
• The structural evaluations show that there is a slight tilt, with signs of deterioration, as well as a need for reinforcement and shoreline protection.

Proposed Development

• Structural Restoration
  • Improvements to lighthouse foundations.
  • Project works for protecting the coast and building breakwaters.
  • Construction of all-season access roads.
  • Fixing up staff quarters, power facilities and compound walls.
• Tourism Infrastructure
  • Eco-tourism facilities.
  • Viewing tower.
  • Convention centre.
  • Cafeteria.
  • Museum dedicated to the sea.
  • Memorial Spaces and cycling tracks.

Environmental Concerns

• The project is located in highly sensitive ICRZ-IA and ICRZ-IVA areas.
• These are coral reefs, mangroves, turtle nesting, marine ecosystems and coastal habitats.
• Biodiversity and sensitive island ecosystems can be impacted by large-scale construction.
• Thorough environmental protection measures and authorizations are thus required.

Significance for India

• Supports India’s objectives of the Blue Economy
• Encourages responsible island tourism
• Improves the strength of the maritime navigation and coastal infrastructure
• Cares for nationally significant heritage assets
• Reinforces India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region

Way Forward

• Strict adherence to notification on Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ), 2019 and environmental laws.
• Use environmentally friendly and climate resilient building methods.
• Eco friendly protection and infrastructure development.
• Foster eco-tourism in the community that has a low ecological impact.
• Plan for disasters in coastal areas while taking into account sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

Conclusion

• The restoration of Indira Point Lighthouse is a combination of heritage preservation, maritime security, and tourism development, along with environmental protection.
• Indira Point is of great strategic and economic importance as it is the southernmost point of India and an important navigational point.
• The sustainable implementation will be crucial to ensure the preservation and progress of this special national asset in the interests of India in the long term.Key Highlights

Source: The Indian Express

Mains PYQ

Q. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before the project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal- fired thermal plants located at Pitheads. (2023)

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