The Navy's proposal to set up a missile testing site in Andaman and Nicobar islands has been red-flagged by the Environment Ministry which said it would destroy the habitat of endangered bird species Nicobar Megapode.

The Navy said it would "re-approach" the Ministry to review its decision as it needed the firing range at Tillanchong Sanctuary.

"The habitat of the megapode should not be disturbed and the missile firing range should not come up in that area," Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said at a programme organised to mark the wildlife week here.

She said the reason for her rejection of the proposal was safety of megapode bird, which is an endangered species.

"The megapode (bird) actually does not exist anywhere and it is a very unique species," Natarajan said.

Natarajan, who is also the Chairman of the National Board of Wildlife, said that the non-official members of the panel had opposed the project.

She said it was a "very very difficult decision" for her to reject the proposal for setting up the temporary facility at the ecologically sensitive island as "it involves security and missile range is important" for the country's defence.

Tillanchong island in the Nicobars is important for the Nicobarese people and endemic wildlife.

When asked about the Ministry's decision, Navy Chief D K Joshi told PTI: "We will re-approach the MoEF and we know that they have their reservations. But the fact is we can not do without our firing range".

Asked whether the Navy had any alternative site in mind, Joshi said environmental clearances will be required for that site also as it is also in the same Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

"It is too sensitive to withstand any such installation over there and as Environment Minister it is my mandate to make sure that wildlife, flora and fauna of our country are protected. So, it is an extremely hard decision but I decided that it is my mandate and I should stay with it," Natarajan said.

The Nicobar Megapode is found in some of the Nicobar Islands. Being restricted to small islands and threatened by hunting, the species is vulnerable to extinction.

Population of the species on some islands is believed to have been wiped out in the 2004 tsunami.

Meanwhile, environmentalists welcomed the decision.

"I am delighted that a decision has been taken to reject the proposal of firing missiles into Tillanchong Island which is of high value for the conservation of several endemic and endangered species, including the Nicobar Megapode," member, National Board of Wildlife, Prerna Singh Bindra said.