What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the total coral colonies (20,668) instead of the number being translocated (16,150), or confuse the location (west coast for translocation vs. east coast for the port). They might also swap the roles of ZSI and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 16,150 coral colonies to be translocated from Galathea Bay. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under MoEFCC is executing the translocation. 3. Target this Legal Point: ICRZ Notification, 2019 and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 are key frameworks.

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News 14 of 25

ZSI to Translocate 16,150 Coral Colonies from Galathea Bay for Great Nicobar Port Project Under CRZ Clearance

Q: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), which is overseeing the coral translocation in Great Nicobar, operates under which Union Ministry?

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, As stated in the article, ZSI comes under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This ministry is the nodal agency for environmental policy, forest conservation, and climate change action in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Great Nicobar Island project: 1. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) will translocate all 20,668 coral colonies from the 10-hectare project impact area. 2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruled that the ICRZ Notification, 2019 was violated by the project. 3. Corals and giant clams, being translocated, are accorded the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 3, Statement 1 is incorrect. ZSI will translocate 16,150 colonies, not all 20,668. The remaining 4,518 are to be observed first. Statement 2 is incorrect. The NGT ruled that the ICRZ Notification, 2019 was NOT violated. Statement 3 is correct as per the article, which states that coral colonies and giant clams are Schedule-I species accorded the highest protection.

Q: According to the article, how many leatherback turtle nests were found in the survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India?

141, The article explicitly states: 'a survey had found 141 leatherback turtle nests.' The other numbers are plausible distractors but not mentioned.

Q: What is the primary purpose of translocating coral colonies from Galathea Bay as part of the Great Nicobar project?

To fulfill a mandatory condition of the project's Environmental Clearance (EC) and CRZ clearance, The article makes it clear that the translocation is being done 'as per EC (Environmental Clearance) and CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) clearance conditions prior to the commencement of project works.' It is a compliance measure, not for tourism, pure research, or rehabilitating past damage.

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Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

11 Jun 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:16,150 coral colonies20,668 total colonies141 leatherback nestsICRZ Notification, 2019

Bodies:Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)National Green Tribunal (NGT)Andaman and Nicobar Island Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO)Wildlife Institute of India (WII)Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.ZSI identified four new sites on Great Nicobar's west coast to translocate corals and giant clams impacted by the Galathea Bay transhipment port, as per EC and CRZ clearance conditions.

2.The translocation is part of a mandated environmental management plan overseen by a biodiversity committee, also tasked with protecting endemic species like the Nicobar Megapode and leatherback turtles.

3.The National Green Tribunal, in a February order, ruled that the ICRZ Notification, 2019 was not violated but directed coral regeneration and protection, adding a legal dimension to the issue.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Zoological Survey of India will translocate over 16,000 coral colonies from the Great Nicobar Island port project site to four new locations on the west coast, a key condition of the project's environmental clearance. This highlights the tension between large-scale infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation, especially for Schedule I species like corals and giant clams, and is a critical case study for environment-related exam questions.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Coral Colonies to be Translocated16,150

Total Coral Colonies in 10-ha Area20,668

NGT Order DateFebruary 16

Leatherback Turtle Nests Found141

Key Legal FrameworkICRZ Notification, 2019

1-Minute Revision

›Coral Colonies to be Translocated: 16,150
›Total Coral Colonies in 10-ha Area: 20,668
›Target this Data: 16,150 coral colonies to be translocated from Galathea Bay.
›Target this Nodal Body: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under MoEFCC is executing the translocation.
›Target this Legal Point: ICRZ Notification, 2019 and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 are key frameworks.

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News Snapshot

🪸

Mandatory Translocation

ZSI must translocate 16,150 coral colonies from the project impact area before work begins, as per Environmental Clearance (EC) and CRZ conditions.

⚖️

NGT's Legal Backing

The National Green Tribunal ruled the ICRZ Notification, 2019 was not violated but directed coral regeneration and protection in project-abutting areas.

🐢

Endemic Species Protection

A biodiversity committee oversees mitigation for endemic species like the Nicobar Megapode and leatherback turtles, whose nests were surveyed.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-project, including an international transhipment port at Galathea Bay, received environmental clearance (EC) with specific conditions to mitigate biodiversity loss. Galathea Bay is a globally crucial nesting site for leatherback sea turtles. The project's approval faced legal challenges before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over alleged environmental violations, particularly concerning coral reefs.

Core Analysis & Implications

The Zoological Survey of India's (ZSI) plan involves a large-scale ecological engineering exercise. Translocation of Schedule I species (corals, giant clams) requires Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 approvals, setting a precedent for future projects in ecologically sensitive areas. The process of GPS-tagging colonies for monitoring introduces a scientific management approach. However, the survival rate of translocated corals remains a key uncertainty, and the move has been contested by environmentalists who argue translocation is not a permissible activity under the law, highlighting the conflict between development and conservation paradigms.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The success of this translocation will be closely monitored and could become a model or a cautionary tale for other coastal projects. The NGT's direction for 'coral regeneration' in adjacent areas adds a restorative dimension. Future steps include satellite tagging of leatherback turtles to track movement before project commencement, as suggested by the biodiversity expert. The ongoing surveys for endemic birds and coconut crabs will further inform the environmental management plan.

Key Facts at a Glance

Coral Colonies to be Translocated16,150

Total Coral Colonies in 10-ha Area20,668

NGT Order DateFebruary 16

Leatherback Turtle Nests Found141

Key Legal FrameworkICRZ Notification, 2019

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), which is overseeing the coral translocation in Great Nicobar, operates under which Union Ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Great Nicobar Island project:

1. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) will translocate all 20,668 coral colonies from the 10-hectare project impact area.

2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruled that the ICRZ Notification, 2019 was violated by the project.

3. Corals and giant clams, being translocated, are accorded the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the article, how many leatherback turtle nests were found in the survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

What is the primary purpose of translocating coral colonies from Galathea Bay as part of the Great Nicobar project?

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ZSI to Translocate 16,150 Coral Colonies from Galathea Bay for Great Nicobar Port Project Under CRZ Clearance

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Mandatory Translocation

NGT's Legal Backing

Endemic Species Protection

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance