Sat Mar 08 13:16:12 UTC 2025: ## Fishermen Protest Deep-Sea Mining Off Kerala Coast
**Alappuzha, Kerala – March 8, 2025** – Fishermen in Alappuzha, Kerala, launched a sea protest on Saturday against the Indian government’s plans for deep-sea sand mining off the coast. The demonstration, organized by the All India Fishermen Congress (AIFC) Alappuzha district unit and inaugurated by MP K.C. Venugopal, criticized the lack of an independent environmental impact assessment before the tender was awarded.
Mr. Venugopal accused the central government of prioritizing profit over environmental concerns and the livelihoods of fishermen. He stated that allowing the mining company itself to conduct the environmental study is inherently biased and demanded an impartial, transparent assessment by an independent agency. He further criticized the Kerala state government for its perceived lack of strong opposition to the project, urging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the concerns.
The protest, which took place approximately 15 nautical miles off Thottappally harbor, involved fishermen taking to the sea in boats. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi showed his support via video call to Mr. Venugopal during the demonstration. The Congress party pledged to escalate the issue nationally with further protests. Other attendees included Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee working president T.N. Prathapan, AIFC State president G. Leelakrishnan, and Father Joseph Valiyaveettil.
First Piper 