Stalin Sounds Alarm: Gulf of Mannar's Biodiversity at Risk from Offshore Mining Plans

 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has appealed in an urgent manner to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider plans for offshore mining in the Gulf of Mannar. In a March 4 letter, Stalin underscored the irrevocable harm deep-sea mining could cause to the sensitive marine ecosystem of the region. The Directorate of Hydrocarbon's latest auction notice comprises almost 10,000 sq km of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, coral reefs at risk, vulnerable species, and livelihoods of fishermen. Stalin condemned the failure to consult with the state government and demanded that biodiversity-rich regions be deleted immediately from the Open Acreage Licensing Policy, citing the risk of destruction of coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

 

Sources: Indian Express, Economic Times, NDTV