Context:
- The Union Government, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences, clarified that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are excluded from offshore mining blocks offered for auction.
- The assurance follows protests in Kerala, where concerns were raised over ecological damage and threats to coastal livelihoods, particularly fishing communities.
Key Highlights:
Offshore Mining Auctions
- Proposed auctions (November 2024) include:
- 13 offshore blocks off the coast of Kerala
- 3 blocks off Gujarat
- 7 blocks near Great Nicobar Island
- These blocks are offered to private companies for offshore mineral exploration and production.
Exclusion of Marine Protected Areas
- The government stated that designated MPAs are not part of the auctioned blocks.
- The Environment Ministry has:
- Notified 130 Marine Protected Areas
- Identified 106 Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs)
Concerns and Protests in Kerala
- Fishing communities and environmental groups fear:
- Damage to marine ecosystems
- Decline in fish stocks
- Loss of livelihoods
- The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in March 2025 opposing offshore block auctions on ecological grounds.
Regulatory Safeguards for Offshore Mining
- Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024 mandate:
- A comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) before production
- Measures to mitigate ecological impacts
Institutional Mechanism: Offshore Areas Mineral Trust
- An Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established.
- Coastal States are members of the Trust.
- Trust funds will be used for:
- Scientific research
- Administrative oversight
- Mitigation of ecological damage caused by offshore mining.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Environmental and livelihood concerns over offshore mineral mining.
- Causes:
- Expansion of offshore resource extraction
- Limited public awareness of exclusion zones
- Government Initiatives:
- Exclusion of MPAs from mining blocks
- Mandatory Environmental Management Plans
- Creation of Offshore Areas Mineral Trust
- Benefits:
- Protection of ecologically sensitive marine zones
- Institutional funding for environmental mitigation
- Challenges:
- Overlap risks with ICMBAs
- Effective enforcement of EMPs
- Impact:
- Balancing resource extraction with marine conservation
Relevant Mains Points:
- Definitions & Provisions:
- Marine Protected Area (MPA): Ocean zones legally protected for conservation
- ICMBAs: Priority sites for marine biodiversity conservation
- EMP: Framework to prevent, reduce, and monitor environmental harm
- Static Linkages:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 – Life Below Water)
- Precautionary Principle
- Governance Issues:
- Centre–State coordination in offshore resource management
- Addressing stakeholder concerns proactively
- Way Forward:
- Clear spatial mapping of mining blocks and MPAs
- Strengthening marine biodiversity assessments
- Continuous consultation with fishing communities
- Independent monitoring of offshore mining impacts
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 3: Environment & Ecology – Marine Conservation, Sustainable Mining
- GS 2: Governance – Environmental Regulation, Federal Coordination