New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke tenders permitting offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing environmental and livelihood concerns.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Gandhi condemned the Centre’s decision, stating that opening offshore mining blocks to private players without thorough environmental assessments posed a severe threat to marine life and coastal communities.
“Millions of fisherfolk have expressed grave concerns about its impact on their livelihood and way of life,” he wrote, emphasizing that tenders were floated without stakeholder consultations or studies on long-term socio-economic effects.
The Congress leader highlighted that the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 had faced strong objections and that offshore mining could harm marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and fish stocks. He pointed to protests following the government’s invitation for tenders for 13 offshore blocks, including three off Kollam’s coast, a crucial fish breeding habitat, and three in the Great Nicobar Islands, a marine biodiversity hotspot.
Gandhi also referenced findings from the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) at the University of Kerala, which suggested offshore mining could severely impact fish breeding in Kollam. He warned that mining in Great Nicobar, known for its diverse ecosystems, could cause “irreparable damage” amid worsening coastal erosion and rising natural calamities.
Calling for the immediate cancellation of offshore mining tenders, Gandhi stressed the need for scientific studies to evaluate environmental and socio-economic impacts. He also insisted on consulting fisherfolk, stating, “Their lives are intertwined with the fate of our oceans. Let us work collectively towards building a sustainable future for all.”
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