Kerala Assembly passes resolution against Centre’s decision to permit offshore mining

Kerala Assembly opposes Central government's offshore mining plans, citing environmental, economic, and national security concerns.

The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday (March 4) unanimously passed a resolution, opposing the Central government’s plans to permit offshore mining along the Kerala coast.

The resolution, presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressed grave concerns over the amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, which now allow private participation in deep-sea mineral exploration and mining.

The amendment, passed in 2023, has paved the way for the Union Ministry of Mines to auction deep-sea mineral blocks. The Kerala government argues that this move could have devastating consequences for the State’s marine resources and economy. The Chief Minister highlighted the potential destruction of the fragile marine ecosystem, while stressing that the move would severely impact both fish resources and biodiversity in the deep sea.

The resolution pointed out that experts have raised alarms about the significant risks posed by the new legislation. It has been pointed out that deep-sea mining could lead to the destruction of vital marine life, including fish stocks, corals, sea urchins and crabs. Moreover, the environmental impact could exacerbate the extinction of marine species, increased carbon emissions from the oceans, and causing dangerous silting in seawater, which would further harm fish populations.

Mr. Vijayan also highlighted the threats posed to national security, considering the policy would grant private entities access to strategic minerals found in deep-sea areas.

The resolution also delved into the economic implications for Kerala’s fishing community and the State in general. Fisheries are a significant export item for India, contributing to foreign exchange earnings. The amendment would jeopardise the livelihoods of lakhs of fishermen who rely on the State’s rich marine resources.

The Kerala Assembly also condemned the Union Ministry of Mines’ decision to conduct mineral mining auctions in Kollam, a traditional fishing area in Kerala. The House viewed the move as a direct threat to both the ecological balance and the economy of the State.