The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR) is India's southernmost protected biosphere, occupying approximately 85% of Great Nicobar Island — the largest and southernmost island of the Nicobar archipelago, part of India's Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989 and included in UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 2013.
The reserve encompasses a full spectrum of tropical island ecosystems: tropical wet evergreen rainforests, mountain ranges, coastal plains, mangroves, coral reefs, sandy beaches, estuaries, and lagoons — making it one of India's most ecologically intact islands.
| Parameter | Data | Exam Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southernmost island, Nicobar group, UT of A&N Islands; Bay of Bengal / eastern Indian Ocean | UT — not a state; governed by LG |
| Coordinates | ~Lat 7°N, Long 93.8°E | Southernmost point of India |
| Southernmost Point | Indira Point — India's southernmost tip; <150 km from Indonesia (Sumatra) | Frequently asked; sank ~15 ft in 2004 tsunami |
| Highest Peak | Mount Thullier — 642 m (≈2,105 ft) | Name of peak tested in MCQs |
| Island Area | 910–1,044 sq. km (various surveys) | Largest island of Nicobar group |
| BR Notified Area | 1,03,870 ha; covers ~85% of island | BR area vs island area distinction |
| Separation from Andamans | Ten Degree Channel (150 km wide) | Classic UPSC PYQ topic |
| Major Rivers | Galathea, Alexandra, Dagmar | Galathea Bay = project port site |
| Climate | Tropical; SW monsoon brings 3,000–3,800 mm rainfall; temp 24–31°C, 80% humidity | Tropical wet evergreen forest type |
| Seismic Zone | Zone V — India's highest earthquake risk | Common trap: some sources wrongly say Zone III |
| Zone | Area (GNBR) | Description & Rules | Who Lives Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Zone | ~53,623 ha | Maximum protection; no human activity; includes Campbell Bay NP + Galathea NP | Wildlife only; Shompen move through |
| Buffer Zone | ~34,877 ha; 12 km wide belt | Limited research & education; no extractive use | Shompen move between core & buffer |
| Transition Zone | Remaining area | Sustainable human use; settlement allowed | Nicobarese, settlers, mainland residents |
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve has a total core area of approximately 885 km² surrounded by a 12 km-wide forest buffer zone. It incorporates two national parks — Campbell Bay NP (northern interior) and Galathea NP (southern interior) — both gazetted in 1992.
Great Nicobar is located in the Indo-Malayan biogeographical region, more similar floristically to Malaysia-Indonesia than to mainland India — a key reason for its extraordinary endemism.
A Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an internationally designated area under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme (launched 1971) designed to achieve a balance between biodiversity conservation and sustainable human development. Unlike national parks (which exclude human activity), BRs are "living laboratories" where conservation and human coexistence are integrated.
Critical 2025 update: India's 13th UNESCO-recognised BR is the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh), designated at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Hangzhou, China in September 2025. India now has 18 notified BRs but only 13 UNESCO-recognised. Confusing these two numbers is a top PYQ trap. Great Nicobar BR was included in UNESCO MAB in 2013.
| Law / Provision | Key Feature | Relevance to GNBR |
|---|---|---|
| PAT Regulation, 1956 — Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) | Presidential Regulation under Article 240 of Constitution; declares Tribal Reserves; prohibits outsider entry, land acquisition, trade in reserved areas | Foundational tribal protection law; Section 11: overrides all other laws; ~130 sq. km de-notified for GNI project (2022–24) |
| Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 — Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act | Recognises Community Forest Rights (CFR) + Habitat Rights; Gram Sabha consent mandatory before forest diversion | Conflict point: A&N administration reported nil FRA implementation, citing PAT coverage; NCST flagged violations |
| Article 338A — National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) | Constitutional body (inserted by 89th Amendment Act, 2003); protects ST rights; replaced earlier combined NCSC+NCST | NCST flagged discrepancies in GNI project forest clearance; consulted under Article 338A(9) |
| Article 243 / 240 | President's power to promulgate regulations for UTs | PAT 1956 promulgated under this; LG administers A&N Islands |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | Notifies National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries; protects scheduled species | Campbell Bay NP + Galathea NP notified under WPA 1972 (1992); Leatherback, Robber Crab, Nicobar Megapode protected |
| Environment Protection Act, 1986 + EIA Notification, 2006 | Requires Environmental Clearance (EC) for major projects | GNI project received EC from MoEFCC in November 2022; contested before NGT and Calcutta HC |
| Shompen Policy, 2015 | Specific policy framework for Shompen welfare; no forced contact | Tribal welfare compliance mandatory under GNI project clearance conditions |
PAT Regulation vs FRA — The Central Legal Clash: PAT 1956 allows the A&N Administrator to de-notify tribal reserves (which was done for the GNI project). FRA 2006 requires Gram Sabha consent before any forest diversion. Critics argue de-notification under PAT cannot bypass FRA's consent requirement. This "clash of mandates" is actively litigated before the Calcutta High Court as of 2026.
UPSC loves year-based statements on GNBR. Key anchor years: 1989 (BR declared), 1992 (National Parks gazetted), 2013 (UNESCO MAB), 2021 (project conceived), November 2022 (EC granted), February 2026 (NGT clearance). The BR was not declared in 2013 — it was declared in 1989; 2013 is the UNESCO MAB recognition year. This distinction is a classic trap.
Over 80% of the island has tree cover; outside the southeastern settlement strip, the interior is near-pristine primary rainforest. Great Nicobar's flora is more similar to Malaysia-Indonesia than to mainland India — due to proximity to Sumatra and millions of years of isolated evolution.
| Species | Category | Key Fact for UPSC |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) | Endangered; world's largest turtle | Galathea Bay = prime nesting site; ICTT port threatens nesting; NGT ordered "no loss of sandy beaches" |
| Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius nicobariensis) | Endemic to Nicobar Islands | "Temperature bird"; builds thermoregulated mound nests; flagship species; protected under WPA |
| Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) | Schedule I; can exceed 6 m | Occupies estuarine + mangrove zones; largest reptile; protected |
| Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa) | Vulnerable; endemic subspecies | Largest mammal on island; found only on Katchal, Little Nicobar, and Great Nicobar |
| Nicobar Tree Shrew (Tupaia nicobarica) | Endemic | Endemic; forages with drongos and sparrowhawks in unique multi-species association |
| Dugong | Vulnerable; Schedule I | Marine mammal; seagrass dependent; present in GNBR waters |
| Giant Robber Crab (Birgus latro) | Protected under WPA | Largest land-living arthropod; declining population; NGT ordered specific protection |
| Green, Hawksbill Sea Turtles | Endangered / Critically Endangered | 5–6 sea turtle species nest on GNI beaches annually |
| Reticulated Python | Largest snake species | Found in GNBR; notable for size |
| Edible-nest Swiftlet | Commercially significant | Bird's nest soup source; endemic to region |
| Plant / Type | Species Name | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Fern | Cyathea albosetacea | Rare endemic; indicator of undisturbed forest |
| Orchid | Phalaenopsis speciosa | Endemic; rare; indicator of biodiversity value |
| Screwpine | Pandanus fascicularis | Endemic; staple food of Nicobarese; staple for Macaques |
| Nicobar Palm | Ptychosperma nicobaricum / Bentinckia nicobarica | Endemic palm species |
| Mangroves | Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Avicennia spp. | 27 sq. km of mangroves; coastal protection; recovering post-2004 tsunami |
| Total Plants | ~650 species: angiosperms, ferns, gymnosperms, bryophytes, lichens | High endemism; floristically linked to SE Asia |
| Group | Total Species | Endemic Species |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | ~14–25 | 11 |
| Birds | 71 | 32 |
| Reptiles | 26 | 7 |
| Amphibians | 10 | 4 |
| Fish | 113 | — |
| Total Fauna (terrestrial + marine) | 1,800+ | High endemism across all groups |
A new wolf snake species, Lycodon irwini, was scientifically described from Great Nicobar in 2025, and the "Great Nicobar crake" remains an undescribed bird species as of 2026 — underscoring that the island's biodiversity is still being catalogued even as development proceeds.
The GNI development project will require felling of ~8.52 lakh (852,245) trees and diversion of ~130 sq. km of tropical rainforest across three phases. This is approximately 15% of the island's land mass. Galathea Bay, site of the ICTT port, is the prime nesting site for Leatherback sea turtles — the world's largest turtle species.
| Feature | Shompen | Nicobarese |
|---|---|---|
| PVTG Status | Yes — Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group | Aboriginal tribe; not classified as PVTG |
| Population | ~200–300 (some surveys: fewer than 219) | ~300 (pre-tsunami west coast settlements) |
| Habitat | Dense interior rainforests; along rivers & streams; move between Core + Buffer zones | Post-2004 tsunami: relocated to Afra Bay (north) & Campbell Bay; previously west coast |
| Lifestyle | Semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer; basic horticulture & pig-rearing; forest + marine resources | Farmers & fisherfolk; more open to outside contact; coastal settlements |
| Language | Shompanese — linguistically an Austroasiatic isolate; unrelated to other A&N languages; partially unrelated to other known languages | Nicobarese — Austroasiatic language family |
| Origin | Mongoloid; likely migrated ~10,000 years ago; anthropologically distinct from all other A&N PVTGs | Mongoloid; deep historical connection to island |
| Contact with outside | Extremely limited; "shun the outside world"; high vulnerability to disease from contact | Relatively more contact; participate in governance |
| Religion / Beliefs | Animism; moon worshippers | Indigenous beliefs; some Christian influence |
| Project vulnerability | Project area overlaps directly with Shompen forest habitat; no valid FPIC (Free, Prior, Informed Consent) | Nicobarese Tribal Council withdrew NOC citing deception about project scale; 2004 tsunami lands claimed for project |
PVTGs are a subset of Scheduled Tribes identified by the government as most vulnerable due to: (1) pre-agricultural technology, (2) stagnant or declining population, (3) extremely low literacy, (4) subsistence-level economy. India has 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 UT.
The Shompen are the only PVTG in Great Nicobar. Their PVTG status grants them a "higher tier" of protection under Indian law — making displacement legally and ethically far more difficult than for ordinary tribal groups. A Tribal Welfare officer attempted to give consent on behalf of Shompen, but FRA has no provision for third-party representation of a PVTG.
Students often assume FRA 2006 automatically applies in A&N Islands. The government argues PAT 1956 provides equivalent protection, making FRA implementation unnecessary. Critics, NCST, and Calcutta HC disagree. The legal question is unresolved — Calcutta HC final hearing is set for June 23, 2026.
Three key bodies govern tribal affairs in A&N Islands: (1) Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) — welfare body; (2) A&N Islands (Tribal Councils) Regulation, 2009 (ANITCR) — mandates prior consultation with Tribal Councils; (3) A&N Islands (Panchayats) Regulation, 1994 (ANIPR) — democratic governance. All three mandate consultation before activities affecting tribes. The A&N Administration is alleged to have bypassed all three.
| Component | Location | Key Data | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) | Galathea Bay (southeastern coast) | Capacity: 14.2 million TEU; natural depth: >20 metres; no dredging needed | Rival Colombo, Singapore, Port Klang; India currently loses transshipment revenue to these ports; 30% of global trade passes nearby |
| Greenfield International Airport | Campbell Bay area | Dual civil-military use; connects island to mainland; enables rapid troop deployment | Tourism (98,000 visitors by 2029, 1 million+ by 2055); defence mobility |
| 450 MVA Gas + Solar Power Plant | Galathea Bay area | Gas-solar hybrid; 450 MVA capacity; gas potential confirmed by Sri Vijayapuram-2 well (2025) | Energy security for island; powered by Andaman offshore natural gas |
| Integrated Township | Southeastern-southern coastal strip (2–4 km wide) | 16,610 ha (some reports: 166.10 sq. km); population projected from 8,500 (current) to 6.5 lakh by 2050 | Housing, social infrastructure for workers and residents; economic zone creation |
Conceived by: NITI Aayog (feasibility by AECOM India) · Implemented by: ANIIDCO (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation, Port Blair) · Aligned with: Act East Policy (2014), Maritime Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 · Funded by: Government + PPP (L&T, Afcons, JSW Infrastructure showing interest)
Great Nicobar sits at the northern approaches to the Strait of Malacca — the world's busiest maritime chokepoint, through which ~80% of China's oil imports and ~30% of global trade pass. The island is equidistant from Colombo (Sri Lanka), Port Klang (Malaysia), and Singapore. From here, India can monitor the Sunda and Lombok Straits as well. It is approximately 175 km from Indonesia.
A security expert famously called Great Nicobar "India's unsinkable aircraft carrier". For China, whose industrial supply chain threads entirely through the Malacca Strait (only 2.8 km wide at its narrowest), India's positioning here represents a structural strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific balance.
| Concept / Term | Connection to Great Nicobar | Exam Angle |
|---|---|---|
| Ten Degree Channel | 150 km wide channel separating Andaman Islands (north) from Nicobar Islands (south); Great Nicobar is the largest island south of this channel | Classic PYQ: "Which islands are separated by the Ten Degree Channel?" — Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Indira Point | India's southernmost point; on Great Nicobar; <150 km from Sumatra (Indonesia); sank ~15 ft in 2004 tsunami | Southernmost point of India; frequently asked in Geography Prelims |
| Strait of Malacca | Great Nicobar is at the northern approaches; ~30% global trade passes here; 80% of China's oil imports transit here | Strategic importance of GNI project; India's Act East Policy |
| Seismic Zone V | Great Nicobar sits in India's highest seismic risk zone; on active fault line; 2004 tsunami epicentre nearby | Common Trap: project supporters wrongly cite Zone III; correct answer is Zone V |
| UNCLOS EEZ | GNI's strategic location gives India a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) deep into the Indian Ocean | India's maritime rights; Indian Ocean Region (IOR) strategy |
| Act East Policy | GNI project is a cornerstone of India's Act East Policy (launched 2014, PM Modi) | Links GNI to Indo-Pacific strategy, ASEAN connectivity |
| Coral Reefs | Fringing coral reefs encircle much of GNI; 20+ reef fish species in Campbell Bay alone; NGT ordered coral translocation | GNI is one of the Indian islands with coral reefs (classic PYQ from 2014: "Which have coral reefs?") |
| Andaman Sea vs Bay of Bengal | GNI lies between Bay of Bengal (west) and Andaman Sea (east); tectonically sensitive zone | Both names tested; Nicobar group is in Bay of Bengal / eastern Indian Ocean |
| Kra Canal (proposed) | Thailand's proposed canal across Kra Isthmus; if built, could reduce traffic through Malacca, diminishing GNI's strategic value | Geopolitical context; India watches Kra Canal proposals carefully |
| Barren Island Volcano | Active volcano; NOT near Great Nicobar — located ~140 km east of Little Andaman; different island group | Classic Trap: Barren Island ≠ Great Nicobar; different sub-group and location |
| BR Name | State / UT | UNESCO Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala | 2000 |
| Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | 2001 |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | 2001 |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | 2004 |
| Nokrek | Meghalaya | 2009 |
| Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh | 2009 |
| Simlipal | Odisha | 2009 |
| Achanakmar-Amarkantak | MP + Chhattisgarh | 2012 |
| Great Nicobar | A&N Islands (UT) | 2013 |
| Agasthyamala | Kerala + Tamil Nadu | 2016 |
| Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | 2018 |
| Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 2020 |
| Cold Desert ⭐ NEW | Himachal Pradesh | 2025 |
In PYQs, questions often ask: "Which of the following is NOT in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves?" — the 5 BRs not in UNESCO WNBR (despite being national BRs) are: Dehang-Debang, Dibru-Saikhowa, Manas, Seshachalam, Kachchh. Nilgiri was the first. Cold Desert is the latest (2025). Great Nicobar was added in 2013.
A 6-judge special bench of the NGT, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, dismissed all petitions challenging the ₹81,000 crore GNI project in February 2026. The tribunal concluded that "adequate safeguards have been provided" in the environmental clearance. It upheld the project's strategic and security importance for India. The NGT imposed binding conditions: no loss of sandy beaches, mandatory coral reef protection and translocation, 8 wildlife corridors, and specific safeguards for Leatherback turtles, Nicobar Megapode, Saltwater Crocodile, Robber Crab, and Nicobar Macaque. Source: National Green Tribunal order · February 2026
The Calcutta High Court upheld the maintainability of PILs challenging the GNI project for alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The bench described the tribal peoples as "very vulnerable" and rejected the government's argument that project expenditure or national importance immunises it from judicial review: "A project involving huge expenditure must proceed in accordance with governing laws." The court also upheld PILs challenging reduction of buffer zones around Galathea NP and Campbell Bay NP. Final hearing listed for June 23, 2026. Source: LiveLaw / Calcutta HC · May 2026
At the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (Hangzhou, China, September 27, 2025), UNESCO designated the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) as India's 13th UNESCO-recognised site in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Spanning 7,770 km² at altitudes of 3,300–6,600 m in Lahaul-Spiti, it is India's first high-altitude cold desert BR. Covers Pin Valley NP, Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. India's total UNESCO BRs: 13; total notified BRs: 18. Source: UNESCO MAB Programme · September 2025
In 2025–26, the Nicobarese Tribal Council alleged that the A&N administration falsely certified community consent for the project. A Draft Relocation Plan for Nicobarese families was reported on April 4, 2026, contradicting the government's claim of "no displacement." On April 29, 2026, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi visited Campbell Bay, walked through forests marked for clearance, and called the project a "crime against natural and tribal heritage." Survival International has raised concerns at the United Nations, calling the project a potential "death sentence for the Shompen." Source: Plutus IAS / Indian Masterminds · April–May 2026
In 2025, Oil India conducted a three-well drilling campaign in Andaman shallow/deep-water, including the Sri Vijayapuram-2 well (295 m depth), confirming significant natural gas deposits (87% methane) with commercial potential. The discovery supports the GNI power plant's gas-solar model and aligns with India's Open Acreage Licensing Program for previously restricted Andaman-Nicobar areas. Source: RT India / Oil India · 2025
The GNI project is one of the highest-probability UPSC Prelims 2026 topics. Key facts to lock in: NGT 6-judge bench cleared Feb 2026 → Calcutta HC PILs maintainable, final hearing June 2026 → Cold Desert = India's 13th UNESCO BR (Sept 2025) → India's 18 national BRs vs 13 UNESCO-recognised BRs → PVTG = Shompen → Leatherback at Galathea Bay.
| Year | Question Theme | Answer Anchor |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Which does NOT belong to biosphere reserves set up so far? (options included Great Nicobar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Gulf of Kachchh) | Gulf of Kachchh was not a BR in 1995 when asked (now it is); Great Nicobar declared 1989 |
| 2008 | "Out of all BRs in India, four have been recognised on UNESCO World Network. Which is NOT?" (Gulf of Mannar, Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans) | Kanchenjunga was not recognised then (now it is — 2018) |
| 2014 | Which of the following have coral reefs? (Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar...) | All three; Great Nicobar has fringing coral reefs |
| 2014 | Which islands separated by Ten Degree Channel? | Andaman Islands (north) and Nicobar Islands (south) |
| 2018 | Statements about Barren Island volcano | Barren Island is ~140 km east of Little Andaman (NOT Great Nicobar); still active |
| 2022–25 | Statements about PVTG features, location, or number | 75 PVTGs in India; Shompen is the GNI PVTG; semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer |
| Statement | Verdict | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve was declared in 2013 when it joined UNESCO MAB | ❌ FALSE | It was declared a BR in 1989; it joined UNESCO MAB in 2013. Two separate events. |
| India has 18 biosphere reserves, all of which are recognised under UNESCO's World Network | ❌ FALSE | India has 18 notified BRs but only 13 are UNESCO-recognised (as of September 2025) |
| The Shompen are a PVTG inhabiting the coastal areas of Great Nicobar | ❌ FALSE | Shompen inhabit the interior forests (core + buffer zones), along rivers and streams; Nicobarese are the coastal community |
| Galathea Bay is both a National Park and the site of the proposed ICTT port | ✅ TRUE | Galathea National Park (gazetted 1992) is in the southern interior; Galathea Bay on the southeast coast is the ICTT site — they are different but nearby |
| Great Nicobar Island falls under Seismic Zone V | ✅ TRUE | Zone V is India's highest seismic risk; 2004 tsunami epicentre was ~80 miles away; active fault line under island |
| The Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands are separated by the Nine Degree Channel | ❌ FALSE | They are separated by the Ten Degree Channel (150 km wide). The Nine Degree Channel separates Little Andaman from Car Nicobar |
| Compensatory afforestation for the GNI project is planned in Haryana | ✅ TRUE | Government proposed planting 500,000 saplings in Haryana (a non-coastal inland state) — widely criticised by environmentalists as ecologically meaningless |
| The Nicobar Megapode is endemic to the Andaman Islands | ❌ FALSE | It is endemic to the Nicobar Islands, not Andaman Islands; found in Great Nicobar and a few other Nicobar islands |
Great Nicobar BR was declared in 1989 by Government of India. It was included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2013. These are different events. Never conflate them. The BR was formally created in January 2013 is sometimes stated — this refers to its formal UNESCO designation, but the national declaration is 1989.
India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves total. Only 13 are part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) — after Cold Desert was added in September 2025. Earlier PYQs asked when India had 4, 7, or 12 UNESCO-recognised BRs. Update your answer to 13 for 2026 exams.
The Shompen live in the dense interior forests of Great Nicobar, primarily along rivers and streams, moving between Core and Buffer zones. They are NOT coastal dwellers. The Nicobarese are the coastal community. Exam questions sometimes reverse this — be alert.
Ten Degree Channel = separates Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands (150 km wide). Nine Degree Channel = separates Little Andaman from Car Nicobar. Do not confuse. UPSC has tested this in statement format. Great Nicobar is in the Nicobar group — south of the Ten Degree Channel.
Barren Island (India's only active volcano) is located approximately 140 km east of Little Andaman in the Andaman group — NOT near Great Nicobar. It is in the Bay of Bengal, part of the Andaman arc. Great Nicobar is in the Nicobar group, much further south. A classic UPSC 2018 trap question tested this.
| Number | What It Is |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Year GNBR declared a Biosphere Reserve by India |
| 1992 | Campbell Bay NP + Galathea NP gazetted |
| 2013 | GNBR included in UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves |
| 85% | Percentage of island covered by BR |
| 1,03,870 ha | Total notified area of GNBR |
| 642 m | Height of Mt. Thullier (highest peak) |
| 150 km | Ten Degree Channel width; also distance to Indonesia |
| 1,800+ | Total faunal species in GNBR |
| 650+ | Plant species in GNBR |
| ~300 | Maximum Shompen population |
| 14.2 M TEU | ICTT port capacity (Galathea Bay) |
| ₹81,000 Cr | Revised project cost (2025) |
| 130 km² | Forest to be diverted by project |
| 852,245 | Trees to be felled |
| 18 / 13 | India's total BRs / UNESCO-recognised BRs (2026) |
| Sept 2025 | Cold Desert BR becomes India's 13th UNESCO site (Hangzhou, China) |
| Feb 2026 | NGT (6-judge bench) clears GNI project |
| June 23, 2026 | Calcutta HC final hearing date |