NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate intervention in the Centre’s auction notification for mineral exploration in Gulf of Mannar. He cited the risks involved in the plan that could affect the “fragile marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of lakhs of fishermen,” adding that the state government was not consulted in the matter.
“Hon’ble PM Thiru. @NarendraModi, The GoI’s auction notification for petroleum and natural gas exploration in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve endangers a fragile marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of lakhs of fishermen,” he said in a post on X.
“Despite the serious ecological and socio-economic implications, the Tamil Nadu Government was not consulted before this decision. I urge your immediate intervention to cancel this auction notification and protect our marine heritage and coastal communities,” he added.
In his letter, he warned that sediment plumes, toxic waste discharges, and habitat destruction pose serious risks, endangering the livelihoods of lakhs of fishermen dependent on the Gulf of Mannar. He stressed that mining activities could disrupt the coastal ecosystem, making the region more vulnerable and causing widespread anxiety among coastal communities.
“I write to you with deep concern on the proposal for offshore mining activities in the Gulf of Mannar, off the coast of Tamil Nadu. The Directorate of Hydrocarbon, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has launched OALP-BID Round-X for auctioning petroleum and natural gas blocks on February 11,” the CM said in the letter.
The notification designated 9,990.96 sq km under the block CY-DWHP-2024/1 in the Cauvery Basin, located within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and near Palk Bay and Wadge Bank, he said.
The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve includes the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and hosts diverse ecosystems, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, estuaries, mudflats, islands, and forests. Spanning 560 sq km off the Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi coasts, it comprises 21 islands with adjoining coral reefs and supports a rich variety of marine fauna.