Context:
Coastal communities in Kerala have been agitating against the Centre’s offshore mining plans, fearing destruction to marine ecosystems and loss of livelihoods. The agitation gained momentum after the 2023 amendment to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, which opened offshore mining to private players.
The Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee has been formed to lead the resistance, with a Parliament march planned for March 12.
Government Plans and Identified Mineral Reserves
- In particular, geological surveys have identified substantial mineral deposits within:
- 745 million tonnes of construction grade sand offshore of Kerala.
- Lime mud, heavy mineral placers, and polymetallic nodules in excess of the other offshore regions.
- Tranche 1 of the auctions includes 13 offshore blocks
- Three blocks of construction sand offshore of Kerala.
- Three blocks of lime mud offshore of Gujarat.
- Seven blocks of polymetallic nodules offshore of the Great Nicobar Island.
- The mining zone in Kerala is Kollam Parappu (Quilon Bank), a key fishing hub and a marine biodiversity hotspot.
Fisheries and Scientific Concerns
- Destruction of Marine Ecosystems
- Kollam Parappu supporting commercially valuable marine species, heavily frequented by traditional and mechanised fishers.
- Mining is expected to damage fish habitats, lead to depletion of fish stocks, and neutralise biodiversity.
- Fishing conflict escalation
- The end of fishing grounds will push vessels further to the nearshore waters and escalate conflict among traditional mechanised fisher folk.
- Environmental Risks
- According to a study done by the University of Kerala, “sediment plumes emanating from mining will aggravate turbidity, thereby compromising water quality, food chains, and spawning grounds.”
- Extraction drilling will entail a heavy toll on freshwater used to wash the sand, adding woes to environmental concerns.
- Unclear Long Term Impact
- There are no defined boundaries for marine ecosystems, thus making it unpredictable for any mining initiated impacts.
- The destruction of habitats could incur food insecurity and economic instability for coastal dwellers.
Call for a ‘Right to the Sea Act’
N.K. Premachandran, MP, who is leading the RSP’s protest march, demanded that the Centre introduce a ‘Right to the Sea Act’, similar to the Right to Forest Act, to protect the rights of India’s coastal communities.
He accused the Union government of pushing ahead with the project in a unilateral and opaque manner and raised several critical questions:
- Has the Centre conducted an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
- Has a social impact study been undertaken?
- Has any effort been made to consult coastal communities and organizations?
After acquiring protection from truckers, the Kerala government and local fishing communities want the entire offshore mining process to stop until a thorough environmental impact study is conducted. With protests intensifying and ecological ruin reckoned as a possibility, the controversy is far from closure.
