Govt strongly opposed Centre’s move to permit offshore mineral dredging along the coastline, including the state, warning that it would cause severe environmental damage and threaten the livelihood of thousands of fishermen.
Industries minister P Rajeeve, responding to a submission in the assembly on Monday by opposition leader VD Satheesan, assured that the state would take all possible steps to prevent offshore sand mining. “We will do everything necessary to stop offshore sand mining. The state already conveyed its opposition to Centre, which took this step without conducting any study,” said Rajeeve.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the opposition’s stance in opposing the project and emphasized the need for a united effort. “We appreciate the opposition’s stand on this matter. I will discuss with the opposition leader to explore possible actions we can take together,” said Vijayan in the assembly.
In his submission, Satheesan pointed out that Centre invited tenders from private companies to mine sand and minerals from the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the first phase, 242 sq km off Kollam coast was opened for sand mining. He warned that the project could severely impact over 10 lakh fishermen in Kerala and cause irreversible environmental damage.
“The removal of sand deposits from depths of 48.4 to 62.5m will harm marine ecosystems and fisheries. It will disrupt underwater flora and fauna, deplete fish stocks and push thousands of fishing families into starvation,” Satheesan said. He also highlighted that in the second phase, mining would extend to coastal areas from Chavakkad and Ponnani to Alappuzha and Varkala.
Satheesan criticized Centre’s move as part of a broader corporate-driven “blue economy” policy that prioritizes business interests over the welfare of coastal communities. He pointed out that a 2023 amendment to central laws stripped states of their traditional rights over fishing activities within 12 nautical miles of the coastline, further weakening Kerala’s ability to protect its marine resources.
