Rahul writes to PM Modi seeking cancellation of tenders for offshore mining in Kerala, Gujarat, Andaman

New Delhi: Expressing concern over its impact on marine life and the livelihood of fisherfolk, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel tenders inviting private players for offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In a letter to Modi on March 25, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha raised questions over the exercise, recalling the protests by coastal communities against the manner in which tenders for offshore mining have been floated without conducting an environmental impact assessment.

Strongly condemning the decision to permit offshore mining, he said, "Millions of fisherfolk have expressed grave concerns about its impact on their livelihood and way of life... offshore mining will impact the livelihoods of millions of fisherfolk and irreversibly damage our diverse marine life. The government must immediately revoke this decision."

Emphasizing that the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 was met with "strong objections," he said studies point to its adverse impacts, including threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs, and the depletion of fish stocks.

He said protests erupted when the Ministry of Mines invited tenders for the grant of licenses for mining at 13 offshore blocks. Among the 13 blocks are three blocks for mining construction sand off the coast of Kollam, a vital fish breeding habitat, and three blocks for polymetallic nodules off the coast of the Great Nicobar Islands—a marine biodiversity hotspot, he said.

"Tenders were floated without any consultation with the stakeholders or an assessment of the long-term socio-economic impact on coastal communities. In fact, the ongoing survey of the Marine Monitoring Lab of the University of Kerala's Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries found that offshore mining could have a devastating impact on fish breeding, especially in Kollam," Rahul said.

He said over 11 lakh people rely on fishing in Kerala, and it is closely tied to their way of life.

On Great Nicobar, he said it is globally recognized for harboring diverse ecosystems and is home to several endemic species of wildlife. "Any damage due to offshore mining could potentially do irreparable damage. At a juncture where erosion of our coastal ecosystems has worsened the impact of natural calamities like cyclones, it is concerning that the government is wilfully greenlighting activities without a scientific assessment," he said.

Calling for "rigorous" scientific studies to assess the environmental, as well as socio-economic, impact of offshore mining, he said all stakeholders, especially fisherfolk, must be consulted before any major decision is taken.

"Their lives are intertwined with the fate of our oceans. Let us work collectively towards building a sustainable future for all," he added.

On March 17, Kerala MPs had objected to offshore construction sand mining in the state, with senior lawmaker KC Venugopal telling the Lok Sabha that they will not allow the exercise, claiming that it will adversely impact the livelihood of the fishing community.

The Congress MP also urged the government to stop the ongoing tender process until an "impartial" study is conducted on its environmental impact, even as Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Kirit Vardhan Singh said offshore mining locations are carefully selected, ensuring that fishing areas remain unaffected.