Lok Sabha Question No. 225 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Proposal for Auction of Sand Blocks for offshore Mining in Kerala
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## Proposal for Auction of Sand Blocks for offshore Mining in Kerala

## 225*.  SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted prior to the Centre's proposal to auction sand blocks for offshore mining in the State of Kerala and  if  so,  the  details  of  key  findings  thereof  along  with  the  degradation  of  coastal ecosystems;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  address  the  concerns  among  local  fishing communities particularly the disruption of fish breeding grounds and migratory patterns essential for sustaining traditional livelihoods, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  coordinated  with  State  Authorities  and  Environmental Experts  to  assess  the  long-term  environmental  and  socio-economic  impacts  of  the proposed  offshore  sand  mining  and  whether  it  prompted  any  consideration  to  recall  or suspend the proposal until adequate safeguards are in place, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  action  plan  proposed  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  ecological  integrity  of Kerala's coastal regions is preserved?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARA (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  No.  225  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON  17/03/2025  REGARDING 'PROPOSAL  FOR  AUCTION  OF  SAND  BLOCKS  FOR  OFFSHORE  MINING  IN KERALA'  RAISED BY SHRI K C VENUGOPAL,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF PARLIAMENT

(a)  to  (d)  As  per  the  information  received  from  the  Ministry  of Mines,  the first  tranche  of the auction for 13 offshore blocks was launched on 28/11/2024, for the grant of composite licenses (exploration-cum-production  leases)  under  the  Offshore  Areas  Mineral  (Development  and Regulation) Act, 2002. This includes three offshore blocks for construction sand off the coast of Kerala, beyond territorial waters.

The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, along with the rules made thereunder, contains adequate provisions to safeguard ecological balance, biodiversity, and protect the interests of fishermen. In accordance with the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, no production operations will be undertaken except in accordance with  an  approved  production  plan.  The  concerns  of  fishermen  and  local  communities  will  be specifically  addressed during the preparation of  the  production  plan  and  Environmental Management  Plan  (EMP),  which  every  lessee  is  required  to  submit  before  commencing exploration or production activities. These plans will likely include:

-  Fisheries impact assessment studies to minimize disruption to fishing activities.
-  Navigation  safety  measures  to  ensure  that  fishing  zones  and  marine  routes  remain accessible.
-  Environmental conservation strategies to protect marine ecosystems.

Section  16A  of  the  Offshore  Areas  Mineral  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  2002, provides for the  establishment of the Offshore  Areas Mineral Trust, a non-profit, autonomous body. The  Offshore Areas Mineral Trust was  established through S.O. 3246(E)  dated 09/08/2024.  Coastal  States  have  been  included  as  members  of  the  Governing  Body  and Executive Committee of the Trust. The funds accruing to the Trust will be used for research, administration,  studies,  and  related  expenditures  concerning  offshore  areas,  as  well  as  for  the mitigation of any adverse ecological impacts resulting from operations in these areas. The Trust will  also  provide  relief in  the  event  of  disasters  in  offshore  areas  and  work  for  the welfare of individuals and communities affected by exploration or production operations.

The  Government  of  Kerala,  based  on  the  recommendation  of  Kerala  Coastal  Zone Management  Authority  (KCZMA),  had  submitted  the  proposal  for  updation  of  CZMP  as  per CRZ Notification 2019. The Ministry has based on such recommendations approved the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for Kerala and as on date provisions of CRZ Notification 2019 are  in  force.  The  mining  of  sand,  rocks,  and  other  substrata  materials  is  prohibited  within  the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which extends up to 12 nautical miles from the Low Tide Line (LTL) on the seaward side, as per the CRZ Notifications of 2011 and 2019. Additionally, the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended, apply up to the limit of territorial waters, i.e., 12 nautical miles.