ANNOUNCEMENTS
Infrastructure development plays a major role in developing the economy of the nation. Infrastructure development requires finding suitable land for executing the projects, both small scale and large scale as well. When it comes to execution of these infra-projects, the development and execution is barred by disputes relating to the acquisition of the land from the land owners. With rapid increase in infrastructure projects, the number of disputes have sky-rocketed. Even the government is converting the available land into agricultural land to feed the growing population, and also to increase the land holdings in the agricultural sector.1
With such issues that delays infrastructure projects on land, the government has decided to construct, operate, and maintain artificial islands in the nation. Being a member to the UNCLOS,2 the nation has been given the right to artificial islands, which is also backed by the provisions of the national legislation, i.e., the Maritime Zones Act, 1976.3 Even though there is a rapid development of artificial islands in the international scenario, in the national context, the pace is slow.
By creating artificial islands, the particular nation will be able to reap so many benefits. But when it comes to India, there are so many loopholes which proves to be an obstacle, especially considering the fact that the nation is trying its best to achieve the SDGs by 2030.4
Considering the loopholes relating to artificial islands in India, and the environmental impact of such islands, it then becomes important to determine how man-made islands can be made sustainable.
