Kerala MPs object Centre's offshore mining plan; Venugopal calls for 'impartial' study on environmental impact

New Delhi: Kerala MPs on Monday objected to offshore construction sand mining in the state with senior lawmaker KC Venugopal telling Lok Sabha that they will not allow the exercise, claiming that it will adversely impact the livelihood of fishermen community.

During Question Hour, the Congress MP also urged the government to stop the ongoing tender process till an “impartial” study is conducted on its environmental impact even as Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Kirtivardhan Singh said offshore mining locations are carefully selected ensuring that fishing areas remain unaffected.

Protests have erupted in Kerala with fishermen in Kollam and Alappuzha staging protests against the nod for offshore sand mining on 13 locations across the country, claiming that it would have an impact on their livelihood. Kerala Assembly has also passed a resolution opposing offshore sand mining.

Responding to the questions, the Minister said the concerns of fishermen and local communities will be specifically addressed during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan, which every lessee is required to submit before commencing exploration or production activities.

Singh also said Kerala had earlier sought import of construction sand and the proposal to mine sand from offshore would be beneficial to the state.

Venugopal, the Alappuzha MP, said the tender process for offshore sand mining has started without Environment Impact Assessment and questioned the “logic” of entrusting the winning bidder with the responsibility of conducting environmental impact.

To his question on whether the government would stop the bidding process for offshore sand mining on Kerala coast, the Minister said the 2002 law was amended in 2023 after proper consultations with coastal states and concerned central ministries. He also said adequate provisions are there in the rules and regulations to protect the interests of fisher folks.

Venugopal referred to studies that spoke about impact on environment and livelihood due to offshore mining and said the Quilon Bank is the area where maximum fish breeding happens and it would bear the impact.

“I am a member from Kerala. I can say in this House, pardon me, we will never allow this type of mining in Kerala. Why don’t you stop the tender process and conduct an impartial study,” he said, as other Kerala MPs supported him.

RSP’s NK Premachandran, who represents Kollam, also questioned why Environment Impact Assessment will be done after the bidding process.