The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has called on the Prime Minister to reconsider proposals for offshore mining in the Gulf of Mannar, citing serious environmental concerns.
Key Developments
- Proposal for Offshore Mining: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, through its Directorate of Hydrocarbon, launched OALP-BID Round-X on February 11. A significant part of the auction includes 9,990.96 sq km under the block CY-DWHP-2024/1 in the Cauvery Basin. This area lies within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR) and is adjacent to Palk Bay and the Wadge Bank.
- State Government Concerns: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has urged a re-evaluation of this mining proposal, highlighting the need to protect the ecologically sensitive region.
Ecological and Cultural Significance
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR):
Established on February 18, 1989, through a joint declaration by the Government of India and the Tamil Nadu government, the GoMBR is internationally recognized by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.- Biodiversity Hotspot: The reserve encompasses the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, home to a rich variety of ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, estuaries, mudflats, islands, and forests.
- Marine Life: It supports a chain of 21 islands and extensive coral reefs over an area of 560 sq km off Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts, providing a habitat for diverse marine fauna.
- Conservation reserve for Dugong : In September 2021, Tamil Nadu notified India’s first conservation reserve for the endangered Dugong (sea cow) in Palk Bay, covering 448 sq km. This move reinforces the state’s commitment to safeguarding its coastal and marine biodiversity.
(Source: Business Line)
