Environmental Concerns:
- Offshore mining poses a severe threat to Kerala’s fragile marine ecosystem.
- Deep-sea biodiversity, including fish populations and coral reefs, could be severely impacted.
- Could lead to ecological imbalances, affecting marine food chains and coastal stability.
Relevance : GS 2 (Governance & Federalism), GS 3 (Environment & Economy, Internal Securuty)
Economic Implications:
- Kerala’s fishing industry—a major livelihood source—faces potential disruption due to depletion of fish resources.
- Loss of marine biodiversity would directly affect fishermen and allied industries.
- Tourism industry (especially coastal tourism) could suffer due to environmental degradation.
National Security Concerns:
- Offshore mining allows private entities access to strategic minerals, raising security concerns.
- The presence of foreign companies or private players in deep-sea mining zones could compromise sovereignty over natural resources.
Political and Federalism Aspects:
- Kerala’s opposition to the Centre’s move reflects tensions over federalism in resource management.
- The amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, enabling private participation, have been criticized for ignoring State concerns.
Legal and Policy Issues:
- The 2023 amendment allows the Union Ministry of Mines to auction deep-sea mineral blocks, which Kerala claims was done without sufficient consultation with coastal States.
- Raises questions on environmental clearances and regulatory oversight over private participation in deep-sea mining.
