The Green Kerala Movement has strongly condemned the Central government’s initiative to mine 745 million tonnes of sand from Kerala’s coast without conducting an environmental or social impact study. The group has demanded an immediate halt to the project, citing severe ecological and social repercussions.

The Central government is advancing the project under the Offshore Minerals (Development and Control) Act, 2002, which was amended in 2023 to allow private sector participation in mining. The decision follows a Geological Survey of India (GSI) study that identified significant offshore sand deposits in five key areas: Ponnani, Chavakkad, Alappuzha, Kollam South, and Kollam North. Of these, the Kollam and Alappuzha regions have been earmarked for initial mining operations, with an estimated 300 million tonnes of sand deposits.

Ecological concerns ignored

Despite the significant scale of the project, no ecological factors have been assessed. Critical studies, such as the impact on the coastal ecosystem, marine biodiversity, fish populations, and the livelihood of coastal residents, remain unaddressed. The Green Kerala Movement warned that sand mining poses a long-term threat to the fisheries sector and the already fragile river dynamics.

Offshore sand, defined as deposits carried by rivers into the sea, is planned for removal of up to 12 nautical miles from the coast. Environmentalists argue that such large-scale extraction could destabilise the region’s natural coastal defences and significantly harm marine life.

Calls for abandonment

In the past, offshore mining required joint inspections by the Geological Survey of India, the Indian Bureau of Mines, and the Atomic Minerals Directorate. However, the amended Act now permits private companies to enter the fray, raising concerns about unchecked exploitation.

“Mining without a comprehensive impact study undermines the region’s ecological balance and jeopardises the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen,” said T.V. Rajan of the Green Kerala Movement. “This move is nothing short of a disaster waiting to happen, and we demand the Central government abandon this initiative immediately.”

The Green Kerala Movement has urged stakeholders and the public to unite against the project, emphasising the critical need to prioritise environmental sustainability over short-term economic gains.