Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the cancellation of offshore mining tenders along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Raising concerns over potential harm to marine ecosystems, Gandhi criticized the decision to allocate offshore mining blocks to private entities without thorough environmental assessments.

In his letter, the Congress leader condemned the government’s move, highlighting protests from coastal communities who fear that such projects threaten their livelihoods. He emphasized that millions of fisherfolk depend on the ocean for their way of life and have expressed strong opposition to the tenders issued without proper environmental evaluation.

Posting on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi reiterated his stance, stating that offshore mining could cause irreversible damage to marine biodiversity and disrupt fishing communities. He called for the immediate revocation of the decision. He also pointed out that the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, was met with strong opposition. Scientific studies, he noted, indicate that offshore mining could severely impact marine life, deplete fish populations, and damage coral reefs.

The Ministry of Mines' invitation for tenders covering 13 offshore blocks has sparked widespread protests. Among these are three blocks off Kollam’s coast—an essential fish breeding zone—and three others near Great Nicobar, a region known for its rich biodiversity. Gandhi accused the government of failing to consult stakeholders before floating these tenders. He cited findings from the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) at the University of Kerala, which warn that offshore mining could significantly disrupt fish breeding, particularly in Kollam.

Noting that over 11 lakh people in Kerala depend on fishing as their traditional occupation, he stressed the importance of safeguarding their livelihoods. He also highlighted Great Nicobar’s status as a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, warning that mining could cause irreparable harm to its delicate ecosystems. At a time when coastal erosion and climate change have intensified natural calamities like cyclones, Gandhi criticized the government for proceeding with such projects without scientific scrutiny.

He urged the government to cancel the tenders immediately and conduct rigorous environmental and socio-economic impact studies. Most importantly, he insisted that all decisions regarding offshore mining should involve consultations with local fishing communities, whose lives are deeply connected to the health of the ocean. "Our fisherfolk’s future is tied to the fate of our oceans. Let’s work together toward a sustainable future," Gandhi wrote in his letter dated March 25, which he shared publicly on Sunday.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.