Stalin Requests PM Modi to Exempt Gulf of Mannar from Oil and Gas Auction
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Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's CM M.K. Stalin has urged PM Narendra Modi to exclude the Gulf of Mannar from the petroleum and gas auction, highlighting environmental concerns and the region's rich biodiversity.
Key Takeaways
- M.K. Stalin urges PM Modi to exclude Gulf of Mannar from auction.
- Offshore mining poses risks to fragile ecosystems.
- Gulf of Mannar is a biodiversity hotspot.
- Deep-sea mining could harm marine life.
- Stalin seeks sustainable economic development.
Chennai, March 4 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the ecologically significant Gulf of Mannar from the auction of oil and gas exploration blocks. In a letter directed to the Prime Minister, Stalin voiced his strong disapproval of offshore mining activities in the Gulf of Mannar, highlighting the area's delicate ecosystem and abundant biodiversity.
Stalin referenced the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-X, released by the Directorate of Hydrocarbons under the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on February 11, 2024. This notification includes a 9,990.96 square km region under the block designation CY-DWHP-2024/1, situated within the Cauvery Basin.
The area proposed for auction lies within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, which is in close proximity to Palk Bay and Wadge Bank.
Stalin raised alarms about the environmental threats, stating that deep-sea mining for oil and gas could lead to irreversible harm to marine habitats and deteriorate the overall health of the ocean.
The Gulf of Mannar serves as a sanctuary for diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, estuaries, mudflats, islands, and forests, making it a crucial marine biodiversity hotspot. He stressed that mining operations would introduce significant risks such as sediment plumes, toxic waste discharge, and habitat destruction, which could disrupt marine life and impact thousands of fishermen relying on these waters for their livelihoods.
He pointed out the rising concerns among coastal communities regarding potential environmental disturbances. Stalin reminded the Prime Minister that the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, which includes the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, was designated as a protected area by the Centre on February 18, 1989, covering 560 sq. km off the coasts of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts.
Moreover, Tamil Nadu has implemented conservation actions, including the establishment of India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (September 2021), encompassing 448 square km in the coastal waters of Thanjavur and Pudukkottai. The dugong, also known as the sea cow, is an endangered marine species, and mining activities could further jeopardize its existence.
Stalin urged Prime Minister Modi to reconsider the decision and exclude all biodiversity-rich regions from the OALP auction list, citing the ecological and socio-economic risks. He stated, “Considering that the future of these fragile, protected ecosystems is at stake, I seek your personal intervention in this critical matter,” emphasizing the necessity for a sustainable approach to economic development that safeguards marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods from industrial exploitation.
