Lok Sabha Question No. 416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Offshore Sand Mining at  Kollam
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 416 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  JULY, 2025

## Offshore Sand Mining at Kollam

## 416. Shri N K Premachandran:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  conducted  any  study  regarding  the  environmental  impact  on  the offshore sand mining at Kollam, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to protect the existing ecological system for avoiding the distraction of Kollam bank rich in fish wealth, if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  safeguard  the  interest  of  fisherfolk  and  protect  their livelihood;
- (d) if so, the action taken by the Government to withdraw from the move to offshore sand mining at Kollam;
- (e) whether the Government seek the opinion of fisherfolk before tendering process was initiated, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f)  whether the Government consider issues that may arise due to Reef and Benthic disruption, turbidity and sediment plume and impact on Kollam bank; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a) to (g): The Ministry of Mines, Government of India enacted the Offshore Areas Mineral and Development Act, 2002, which came into effect in 2010. Ministry of Mines has informed that, so far, no mining has ever taken place in the offshore areas including in the territorial waters, EEZ, or continental shelf. As per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024, before execution of an operating right, the bidders are required to obtain all consents, approvals, permits, no-objections as may be required under the applicable laws. Further, as per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in accordance with a production plan. The production plan, inter alia , includes environment management plan, indicating the baseline information, impact assessment and  mitigation  measures.  The  said  Act  and  the  Rules  ensure  the  environment  protection  and preventing  any  adverse  impacts  on  the  marine  ecosystem.  Hence,  no  such  study  has  been conducted to assess the impact of offshore mining off Kerala coast at Kollam. A project proposal titled 'Preparation of Terms of Reference for the Offshore Mining Areas Beyond 12 Nautical Miles' has been submitted by the National Institute of Oceanography to the Ministry of Mines, Government of India.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of  India  has  advised  the  Ministry  of  Mines,  Government of India  to  ensure  sustainability  of the fisheries resources and the livelihood issues of the fishermen are adequately addressed in the production plan and in the environmental management plan.

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