Fishermen are worried that the implementation of the project will affect their livelihoods. |Picture source: N. Rajesh
Opposition among fishermen in the region, proposed hydrocarbon exploration projects in Kanniyakumari waters have increased.
According to them, although the project is planned to be 35 nautical miles from the coast, the designated area is an important fishing ground.
The Ministry of Oil and Gas has issued a notice that invites hydrocarbon exploration and licensing policies to explore oil and gas in three areas south of Cape Comorin, covering 27,154.80 square kilometers. Of the three proposed sites, one span is 9,514.63 square kilometers and the other two spans, 9,844.72 square kilometers and 7,795.45 square kilometers, respectively.
Areas selected for exploration include the marine area south of Wadge Bank – Cape Comorin, rich in fishery resources. Spreading about 10,000 square kilometers, it has long been a rich fishing ground.
The Fishermen Association is concerned that implementing the project in such a sensitive area will affect fishermen from the Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram regions, besides harming one of the most valuable Littoral Zones Zones in the region.
Neithal Makkal Iyakkam’s C. Berlin said: “The locations selected for the project belong to the central government district, but this does not exempt the authorities from consulting with the local fishing community.
He further said fishermen who rely on Wadge Bank will be affected by the project. Mr Berlin said small fishermen would be forced to sail longer distances in search of fishing grounds, urging the government to revoke the proposed project.
A journal on petroleum and environmental biotechnology published by Environmental Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, highlights the environmental impacts of hydrocarbon exploration. Accordingly, drilling and production operations can release pollutants into air and water.
Meanwhile, the Fishermen Association convened a meeting in Nagercoil on Sunday to raise awareness of the potential impact of the project. At the meeting, Fisher proposed to submit the memorandum to the Ministry of Oil and Gas and plans to protest in the days to come.
Justin Antony, president of the International Fisherman Development Trust, said Wadge Bank is a natural obstacle to protecting the area from disaster. He fears that the implementation of the project in southern Cape Comorin could weaken the barrier.
S. Rajeshkumar of the MLA of Killiyoor constituency said the requests related to the project have been submitted in parliament and that the Tamil Nadu government has not yet granted an unfilled voting certificate. According to him, there were no “significant prior hints” at the center’s projects, nor were there any public hearings. He stressed that the center had revoked the project.
publishing – May 11, 2025 11:40 pm ist
