Mon Mar 31 06:21:36 UTC 2025: ## Rahul Gandhi Demands Cancellation of Offshore Mining Tenders

**New Delhi, March 31, 2025** – Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel tenders for offshore mining projects along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In a letter dated March 25th, Gandhi expressed deep concern over the potential environmental and socio-economic consequences of the project, highlighting the lack of rigorous impact assessments and consultation with local communities.

Gandhi’s letter specifically criticizes the government’s decision to grant licenses for 13 offshore blocks to private players without considering the devastating impact on marine life and the livelihoods of millions of fisherfolk. He points to the three blocks earmarked for sand mining off the coast of Kollam, a vital fish breeding ground, and three blocks for polymetallic nodule mining near the Great Nicobar Islands, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, as particularly alarming.

The Congress leader cited studies indicating that offshore mining could severely damage coral reefs, deplete fish stocks, and negatively impact fish breeding habitats. He underscored the concerns raised by coastal communities and the ongoing survey by the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) of the University of Kerala, which supports these concerns. Gandhi emphasized the reliance of over 1.1 million people in Kerala alone on fishing as their primary source of income, directly linking their well-being to the health of the marine environment.

Gandhi called for a complete halt to the project until thorough scientific studies assess both environmental and socio-economic impacts, and meaningful consultations with all stakeholders, particularly the fishing communities, are undertaken. He stressed the need for sustainable practices and urged the government to prioritize the long-term well-being of coastal communities and the preservation of India’s diverse marine ecosystems. Gandhi shared his letter on his WhatsApp channel on Sunday.

Read More