**Policy Summary: Hydrocarbon Exploration and Mining in the Gulf of Mannar Region**
**Issue:** This policy addresses concerns raised by the State Government of Tamil Nadu regarding proposed offshore hydrocarbon exploration and mining activities in the Gulf of Mannar, specifically concerning ecological sensitivity and potential impacts on coastal communities' livelihoods. The query was raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1882, scheduled for response on July 31, 2025.
**Response:** The Union Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, acknowledges the communication received on March 4, 2025, from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The concerns relate to an exploration block, CYDWHP20241, measuring 9990.96 sq. km, offered for bidding under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round X, launched on February 11, 2025.
**Justification and Mitigation:** The government clarifies that the designated block is an offshore deepwater block, placing it outside the jurisdiction requiring permission from the State Government for exploration licenses or production leases. Further, block CYDWHP20241 is outside the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere core zone. The government states that the awarding of the block does not permit immediate exploration. All exploration activities are subject to mandatory statutory and regulatory approvals, including Environmental Clearance (EC), Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, and Wildlife Clearance. These clearances necessitate an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), public consultations with local communities, including fisherfolk, and resolution of raised concerns. The government asserts these measures ensure that exploration and production activities protect the marine ecosystem and the socioeconomic interests of affected communities.
Key Entities Referenced
Gulf of Mannar: A shallow bay forming part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean with India to the North and Sri Lanka to the East. Region of proposed hydrocarbon exploration and mining.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, which has raised concerns regarding offshore hydrocarbon exploration and mining in the Gulf of Mannar.
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS: The ministry responsible for matters related to petroleum and natural gas in the Union Government.
Open Acreage Licensing Policy OALP Bid Round X: A policy and bid round under which exploration blocks, including CYDWHP20241 in the Gulf of Mannar, are offered for bidding.
CYDWHP20241: An offshore exploration block in the Gulf of Mannar offered for bidding under OALP Bid Round X.
Environmental Clearance EC: A statutory and regulatory approval required before initiating exploration activities.
Coastal Regulation Zone CRZ clearance: A clearance required for activities within the Coastal Regulation Zone.
Wildlife Protection Act: An act that mandates Wildlife Clearance for exploration and production activities.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1882
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31st July, 2025
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Mining in Gulf of Mannar Region
1882. SHRI K E PRAKASH:
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has received any request/representation from the State
Government of Tamil Nadu urging to drop the proposal for offshore hydrocarbon exploration and mining in
the Gulf of Mannar region due to its ecological sensitivity and impact on the livelihoods of coastal
communities;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the proposed project; and
(c) whether the Union Government has considered the concerns raised by the State
Government of Tamil Nadu regarding environmental protection, marine biodiversity and the
socio-economic impact on shing communities before proceeding with any approvals, clearances or public
consultations and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी
((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a): Government have put on offer an exploration block CY-DWHP-2024/1 measuring an area of
9990.96 sq. Km falling in Gulf of Mannar for bidding under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)
Bid Round X, which has been launched on 11.02.2025. Government have subsequently received a
communication dated 04.03.2025 from Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu raising concerns regarding proposal
for offshore mining activities in Gulf of Mannar, off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
(b) & (c): This block is as an offshore deep-water block and hence is outside the jurisdiction of the State
Government. Permission from State Government for exploration license or production lease for such
offshore blocks is not required. Further, the block, CY-DWHP-2024/1, does not fall within the Gulf of
Mannar Biosphere core zone.
Mere award of the blocks does not entitle awardees to initiate exploration activities. All statutory and
regulatory approvals are non-negotiable and essential, which include Environmental Clearance (EC),
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, and Wildlife Clearance, as mandated under the EIA Notification,
CRZ Notification and the Wildlife Protection Act. These approvals typically involve an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts, public consultations with local
communities, including fisherfolk and the resolution of concerns raised during the process. These clearances
are intended to ensure that exploration and production activities are undertaken in a manner that safeguards
the marine ecosystem and the socio-economic interests of the affected communities.
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