Proposed hydrocarbon exploration in Gulf of Mannar raises concerns

With the ministry of petroleum and natural gas releasing a tender for hydrocarbon exploration in a deep-sea area of 9,990.96 sqkm in the marine biodiversity-rich Gulf of Mannar, which shares borders with the southern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, experts raise concerns over its impact on marine life.

- KA Shaji

CHENNAI:

The region, located close to the international maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka, is part of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, home to rare and endangered species such as dugongs, different turtles, and marine mammals. Consequently, environmentalists in the state have raised serious concerns over the potential impact of oil and gas exploration on marine life.

Fishermen from Nagapattinam, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, who are already facing difficulties due to the interference of the Sri Lankan navy in their fishing activities — often citing allegations of poaching by crossing the international border — have also voiced strong opposition to the oil exploration project. They argued that it will harm their livelihoods and threaten their survival.

Major political parties in the state, including the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, have publicly declared that they do not support a project that can negatively impact the state's marine resources and environment apart from creating a huge livelihood crisis.

Previous attempts by the Union ministry to explore hydrocarbons in the Cauvery Delta districts — such as Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Pudukottai and Cuddalore — as well as in the Wadge Bank oceanic area south of Kanyakumari — have been halted due to significant opposition from political parties, fishermen, and farmers' organisations.