Offshore mining blocks in Nicobar, Kerala, Gujarat approved, Parliament told

The Union environment ministry and the department of fisheries have approved offshore mining blocks, including seven off the coast of Great Nicobar, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: The others approved are off the coast of Gujarat and Kerala.

He was responding to a question from TMC MP, Sougata Ray on whether the government was granting licences for offshore mining; details of such licences granted by state; and whether it had conducted any scientific study on the impact of such mining activity on the fragile marine ecosystems in the region.