Kerala’s Coastal Clash: Protests Against Offshore Mining

Context: The widespread protests in Kerala against the Centre’s plan to mine construction-grade sand off the Kollam coast, following a Geological Survey of India (GSI) study identifying 745 million tonnes of sand deposits. The proposal, enabled by the 2023 amendment to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, has sparked opposition from fishermen, environmentalists, and the state government, highlighting tensions between resource extraction and ecological-livelihood concerns, a key issue in India’s federal and environmental policy landscape.

What is Offshore Mining?: Offshore mining means extracting minerals, like sand or metals, from the seabed or underwater areas near a country’s coast. It happens in the ocean, beyond the shoreline, within a nation’s maritime zones (like territorial waters or exclusive economic zones). For example, digging up sand from the sea floor off Kerala’s coast to use for construction is offshore mining. It’s different from land mining because it involves ships and underwater equipment, but it can harm marine life and fishing communities.

• Mining Proposal: The Centre plans to mine 300 million tonnes of sand from three blocks off Kollam, at depths of 48-62 meters, based on GSI findings of 745 million tonnes of construction-grade sand along Kerala’s coast.
• Legal Framework: The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, amended in 2023, allows private sector participation via auctions, giving the Centre control over offshore minerals, while fishing (up to 12 nautical miles) remains a State subject.
• Protestors: Kerala’s MPs, MLAs, fishermen, environmentalists, and the state Assembly (via a unanimous resolution) oppose the plan, staging protests in Delhi and locally, fearing ecological and livelihood damage.
• Environmental Risks: Mining could cloud water, reduce the euphotic zone (where photosynthesis occurs), spread sediment plumes, release toxins, and disrupt marine ecosystems, threatening fish stocks.
• Livelihood Threat: Large mining vessels may hinder fishing, endangering the safety and income of Kerala’s fishing community, a vital economic sector.
• Federal Tension: The Centre retains all mining royalties, bypassing states; the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust promises mitigation funds, but Kerala demands an environmental impact study first.
• Political Stance: Kerala’s government and opposition (Left and Congress) unitedly reject the plan, citing inadequate consultation and long-term coastal harm over short-term gains.

Link To The Original Article – https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-kerala-is-seeing-protests-over-the-centres-offshore-mining-plan-9890963/