This document summarizes the Indian government's response to concerns raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 416 regarding potential offshore sand mining at Kollam, specifically its environmental impact, protection of the Kollam bank's ecosystem and fish wealth, and safeguarding the interests of fisherfolk.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying clarifies that no offshore mining has occurred in India's territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), or continental shelf under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, which came into effect in 2010. As per the Offshore Areas Mineral Auction Rules, 2024, bidders must obtain all necessary consents, approvals, permits, and no-objections before commencing operations. The Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, mandate a production plan, including an environmental management plan with baseline information, impact assessment, and mitigation measures, to ensure environmental protection.
Therefore, the government has not conducted a specific study to assess the impact of offshore mining off the Kollam coast. However, the National Institute of Oceanography has submitted a project proposal to the Ministry of Mines for preparing the Terms of Reference for offshore mining areas beyond 12 nautical miles. The Department of Fisheries has advised the Ministry of Mines to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources and address the livelihood concerns of fishermen within the production and environmental management plans.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.
Shri N K Premachandran: Member of LOK SABHA posing the question about offshore sand mining at Kollam.
Kollam: A coastal city in Kerala, India, where the proposed offshore sand mining is planned.
Ministry of Mines: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Offshore Areas Mineral and Development Act, 2002.
Offshore Areas Mineral and Development Act, 2002: An Indian law enacted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, regulating mineral development in offshore areas.
Offshore Areas Mineral Auction Rules, 2024: Rules pertaining to the auctioning of mineral rights in offshore areas, requiring bidders to obtain necessary consents and permits.
Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024: Rules pertaining to the conservation and development of minerals in offshore areas, requiring a production plan including an environmental management plan.
National Institute of Oceanography: An Indian research institute that submitted a project proposal to the Ministry of Mines regarding offshore mining areas.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 416
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22nd 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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