Protected marine areas not part of offshore blocks: govt., Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Earth Sciences Ministry clarified that offshore mining blocks offered to private companies exclude designated Marine Protected Areas.
• Auctions were proposed in November 2024 for 13 blocks off the coast of Kerala, 3 blocks off Gujarat, and 7 blocks near the Great Nicobar Island.
• Protests in Kerala arose due to concerns about the impact of mining on marine life and fish stocks.
• The Environment Ministry has notified 130 Marine Protected Areas and identified 106 Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs).

Detailed Insights:

• The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution in March opposing the auctioning of offshore blocks due to environmental concerns.
• The Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, mandate an environmental management plan for any production operations.
• The Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established with coastal states as members to manage funds for research, administration, and mitigation of ecological impacts.
• The Trust aims to address potential adverse impacts on the offshore ecology resulting from mining operations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Marine Protected Area: A designated area in the ocean protected for conservation purposes.
• ICMBAs: Coastal and marine sites prioritized for marine species conservation.
• Environmental Management Plan: A detailed plan outlining measures to minimize environmental impact.