Integrated Island Management Plan

The Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP) is a strategic framework developed by the Government of India to ensure the sustainable utilisation, conservation, and management of India’s island ecosystems. These plans aim to balance ecological preservation with developmental needs, particularly in ecologically sensitive and strategically significant island territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Background

India possesses more than 1,300 islands and islets, scattered across the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. These islands are ecologically fragile, rich in biodiversity, and strategically important for national security, marine resources, and tourism.
Unregulated development, rising population pressure, tourism growth, and climate change impacts such as sea-level rise have created multiple threats to these fragile ecosystems. Recognising this, the NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and island administrations, initiated the Integrated Island Management Plans to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable development.

Objectives of IIMP

The plans are designed with a holistic approach to address ecological, social, and economic dimensions. The key objectives include:

• Sustainable development: Balancing infrastructure and tourism development with environmental safeguards.
• Biodiversity conservation: Protecting fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and tropical forests.
• Livelihood security: Promoting sustainable livelihoods for island communities, particularly through eco-tourism, fisheries, and renewable energy.
• Disaster resilience: Enhancing preparedness against natural disasters such as cyclones, tsunamis, and coastal erosion.
• Strategic importance: Strengthening India’s maritime security and blue economy potential through carefully planned island development.

Features of the Plans

The Integrated Island Management Plans are structured to ensure minimal ecological footprint while promoting economic activities. Key features include:

• Zonation mapping: Identification of ecologically sensitive zones, buffer areas, and zones for regulated development.
• Tourism infrastructure: Development of low-impact, eco-friendly tourism projects, such as nature resorts, water sports facilities, and cruise circuits.
• Renewable energy: Emphasis on solar and wind energy projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and ensure energy self-sufficiency.
• Connectivity improvements: Development of sustainable transport and digital infrastructure to improve accessibility while maintaining ecological safeguards.
• Waste management systems: Establishment of scientific solid waste and sewage treatment systems to prevent marine pollution.
• Community participation: Involvement of local communities in conservation and eco-tourism initiatives to ensure inclusive development.

Implementation

The implementation of IIMP is overseen by a multi-agency coordination framework:

• NITI Aayog: Provides overall planning and monitoring.
• Island Administrations (Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep): Implement localised strategies.
• MoEFCC: Ensures compliance with environmental regulations, particularly the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
• Private sector participation: Encouraged for tourism and renewable energy projects under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Pilot projects have been initiated in select islands such as Smith, Ross, Avis, Long, and Aves (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and Kadmat, Suheli, Bangaram, and Minicoy (Lakshadweep).

Significance

The Integrated Island Management Plans are crucial for:

• Environmental protection: Preventing unchecked exploitation of fragile island ecosystems.
• Tourism growth: Developing India’s islands as world-class eco-tourism destinations comparable to the Maldives or Mauritius.
• Blue economy expansion: Harnessing marine resources, including fisheries and renewable energy.
• National security: Enhancing India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the face of strategic challenges.
• Climate resilience: Building adaptive capacity to address sea-level rise, extreme weather, and coastal vulnerability.

Challenges

Despite their promise, the implementation of IIMP faces several challenges:

• Balancing conservation and development: Ensuring that tourism and infrastructure growth do not degrade sensitive habitats.
• Community concerns: Addressing the needs and rights of indigenous and local communities, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Climate threats: Rising sea levels and coral bleaching pose existential risks to several small islands.
• Institutional coordination: Effective implementation requires harmonisation across multiple government agencies.

Future Prospects

The Integrated Island Management Plans are expected to serve as blueprints for island development with sustainability at the core. By integrating conservation science, tourism development, renewable energy, and community engagement, they seek to transform India’s islands into models of eco-sensitive growth and maritime security hubs.