Description

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Context

Kerala government along with fishermen & environmental activists is opposing offshore mining along its coast arguing it threatens marine biodiversity & livelihoods while Centre maintains that project is legally valid & environmentally regulated.

Key Highlights

The state Assembly passed a unanimous resolution urging Centre to withdraw project.

Amendments to Offshore Mining Act (OMDR Act, 2002):

Offshore Areas Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 (OMDR Act) was amended in 2023.

Earlier only central government agencies such as GSI, IBM, AMD could conduct offshore exploration.

The amendment now allows private participation through competitive auction process for minerals like polymetallic nodules, lime-mud, construction sand.

Offshore Mining Blocks & Sand Deposits:

India first offshore mining e-auction was launched in November 2023 for 13 blocks: 3 off Kerala coast (Kollam), 3 off Gujarat, 7 off Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Geological Survey of India (GSI) found 745 million tonnes of construction grade sand off Kerala coast with 300 million tonnes in Kollam blocks.

The mining depth is estimated between 48 to 62 meters in sea.

Legal & Governance Aspects:

OMDR Act defines offshore areas as territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) & other maritime zones.

Centre has exclusive rights over offshore minerals beyond 12 nautical miles from coast.

Kerala government opposes mining plan but has limited legal authority over these areas.

Fishermen Concerns & Environmental Impact:

11 lakh fishermen from 222 fishing villages in Kerala depend on marine resources for their livelihood.

Kollam Parappu (Quilon Bank) is a highly productive fishing zone & mining here may lead to:

Decline in fish catch due to habitat disruption.

Clouding of water reducing light penetration & affecting euphotic zone (necessary for photosynthesis).

Sediment plumes spreading over large distances harming marine life.

Toxic substance release further affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Large mining vessels obstructing fishing activities & increasing risks for fishermen.

Centre Response & Mitigation Measures:

Centre claims that 130 marine protected areas were excluded from mining plan.

106 coastal sites are classified as Important Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) for conservation.

Offshore Areas Mineral Trust was set up to mitigate ecological damage & support affected communities.

Centre maintains that royalty from mining will go to Union government with funds allocated for environmental & livelihood support.

Important Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs)

Region	State/UT	Key Biodiversity Features	Ecological Importance
Western Coast	Gujarat	Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park, Coral Reefs, Mangroves	Habitat for Whale Sharks, Dugongs & Corals
	Maharashtra	Malvan Marine Sanctuary, Mangroves, Rocky Shores	Breeding ground for Olive Ridley Turtles
	Goa	Coral Patches, Estuarine Ecosystem (Mandovi-Zuari)	Supports unique brackish water species
	Karnataka	Netrani Island Coral Reefs, Mangrove Forests	Important coral ecosystem, supports marine biodiversity
	Kerala	Quilon Bank (Kollam Parappu), Vembanad Lake, Mangroves	High fish productivity, supports fishing communities
	Lakshadweep	Atolls, Coral Islands, Lagoons	Critical for Coral Reef Conservation
Eastern Coast	Tamil Nadu	Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Pulicat Lake	Seagrass Beds, Dugongs, Endangered Marine Species
	Andhra Pradesh	Krishna & Godavari Mangroves, Estuaries	Supports migratory birds, fish breeding grounds
	Odisha	Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Gahirmatha Beach	Largest rookery of Olive Ridley Turtles
Sundarbans	West Bengal	Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Delta Ecosystem	Largest Mangrove Forest, Bengal Tiger Habitat
Andaman & Nicobar	A&N Islands	Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Coral Reefs	Pristine Marine Ecosystem, Dugongs, Sea Turtles
Other Protected Areas	Across India	130 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) identified	Conservation of critical marine habitats

Significance of ICMBAs:

Biodiversity Hotspots: Home to endangered marine species like Dugongs, Whale Sharks, Olive Ridley Turtles.

Fisheries & Livelihood: Support millions of fishermen & coastal communities.

Environmental Protection: Act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, tsunamis, climate change.

Sustainable Development: Require careful management due to threats from pollution, mining, coastal development.

Key Agencies Involved in Mineral Exploration in India

Agency	Full Form	Ministry	Primary Functions	Key Areas of Work
GSI	Geological Survey of India	Ministry of Mines	●Geological mapping & mineral resource assessment ●Exploration of offshore & onshore minerals ●Seismic & geotechnical studies	●Mineral Exploration ●Groundwater studies ●Disaster management (earthquakes, landslides)
IBM	Indian Bureau of Mines	Ministry of Mines	●Regulation & conservation of minerals ●Mineral exploration & mineral resource estimation ●Mines safety & environmental impact assessment	●Mining policy implementation ●Sustainable mining practices ●Mineral statistics & data
AMD	Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research	Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)	●Exploration & development of atomic minerals ●Uranium, thorium & rare earth mineral assessment ●Supporting India's nuclear energy program	●Uranium & thorium exploration ●Rare earth elements (REEs) ●Nuclear fuel resources

Roles in Offshore Mining:

GSI: Conducts preliminary surveys & assesses mineral potential in offshore regions.

IBM: Regulates offshore mining leases & ensures sustainable mining practices.

AMD: Focuses on exploring offshore areas for atomic minerals like thorium & uranium.

For more information, please visit IAS GYAN

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss environmental & socio economic implications of offshore mining in India with special focus on concerns of coastal communities & biodiversity conservation.