Rahul gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the lok sabha, has launched a new assault on the Union government by questioning the proposed offshore mining along the coasts of Gujarat, kerala, and the andaman and Nicobar Islands, claiming that it will negatively affect marine life and fishermen's livelihoods. He has also called for the cancellation of tenders that invite private companies.
 
He urged that thorough scientific research be done first to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental effects of offshore mining and accused the administration of failing to consult all relevant parties. Recalling the protests by coastal communities over the way offshore mining tenders have been floated without a proper assessment of their environmental impact, gandhi voiced his concerns in a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi on march 25.

"I write to you to strongly condemn the central government's decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of kerala, Gujarat, and andaman & Nicobar," he wrote. "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 and irreversibly damage our diverse marine life. The government must immediately revoke this decision," he said.

According to gandhi, research indicates that offshore mining has negative effects on coral reefs, fish stocks, and marine life.  He claimed that when the Ministry of Mines issued tenders for the issuance of mining permits at 13 offshore blocks, protests broke out.  According to him, three of the 13 blocks are for polymetallic nodules off the coast of the Great Nicobar Islands, a hotspot for marine biodiversity, and three are for mining construction sand off the coast of Kollam, an essential fish breeding area.
 
Without consulting the stakeholders or evaluating the long-term socioeconomic effects on coastal towns, tenders were issued.  Since more than 11 lakh people in kerala depend on fishing, rahul stated, "offshore mining could have a devastating impact on fish breeding, especially in Kollam," according to the Marine Monitoring Lab's ongoing survey conducted by the university of Kerala's Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries.
 
He claimed that Great Nicobar is known across the world for its varied ecosystems and is home to several indigenous wildlife species.  "Any harm brought on by offshore mining has the potential to be irreversible.  "It is alarming that the government is willfully approving activities without conducting a scientific evaluation at a time when the degradation of our coastal ecosystems has exacerbated the effects of natural disasters like cyclones," he said.

Kerala MP KC Venugopal stated in the lok sabha on march 17 that mining and offshore building would negatively affect the fisher community's standard of living.

Is offshore mining beneficial to the economy?
The government's decision is based on the Geological survey of India's (GSI) conclusions that many tons of construction-grade sand and gravel might be harvested from the offshore regions, according to Union Environment minister Bhupender Yadav's march 18 response in the Lok Sabha.
 
Under the water, the GSI has discovered polymetallic nodules that contain rare earth elements, iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper. High-tech manufacturing, the transition to green energy, and infrastructure development all depend on these minerals.

The need for crucial minerals will only grow, and india is working hard to take the lead in the global market for these minerals.  To improve its essential mineral supply chains, india will also start the National Essential Mineral Mission.
 
In his response in the lok sabha, kirti Vardhan Singh, the Union minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate, denied the accusations as well. He claimed that a consultation process with state governments and other stakeholders had occurred at several points, including when the Offshore Areas Act was being amended.
 
 

 
 

 
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Rahul Gandhi

SIBY JEYYA

01/04/2025 10:12 AM