Kanyakumari Fishers Unite Against Hydrocarbon Exploration Threat

Coastal communities along the shores of Kanyakumari are raising the alarm about the profound economic and environmental impacts posed by a proposed hydrocarbon project. With local livelihoods at stake, the urgency of the situation has galvanized a coalition of fishermen federations, village representatives, and influential leaders from neighboring Kerala. They are collaborating to devise a robust opposition plan.

In a key gathering scheduled for Sunday in Kanyakumari, all involved parties aim to solidify their unified stance against the hydrocarbon initiative. A significant figure in these efforts, advocating for collective resistance, expressed that the plan not only endangers lives but also threatens the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea.

The controversial hydrocarbon venture originated from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas’s Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), as part of its 2023 Notice Inviting Offers. The proposal involves oil and gas exploration in three offshore blocks located to the south of Cape Comorin, covering approximately 27,154.80 square kilometers.

Environmental advocates alongside local leaders have voiced their apprehensions about the potentially devastating consequences of this project, particularly concerning the Wadge Bank. This marine area, rich in biodiversity and ecological value, is positioned near Cape Comorin and is considered highly sensitive.

An ecological expert warned that disrupting the Wadge Bank could lead to a significant decline in marine biodiversity, which would, in turn, jeopardize the longstanding fishing traditions and economies not just in Kanyakumari, but across wider regions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Another community leader described the proposal ominously as an endeavor that could transform the sea into a “marine desert.” He passionately called for the immediate cessation of the project to safeguard the ocean’s ecosystem.

The secretary of a prominent local fishers’ association highlighted the critical issue of restricted access to essential fishing zones should the hydrocarbon exploration proceed. He labeled the project a direct threat to the fishing community’s survival, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Driven by the stakes involved, the coastal community remains resolute in its determination to resist until the cancellation of the project is secured. Their steadfastness underscores the community’s reliance on the ocean for survival and prosperity, emphasizing the broader environmental and economic implications of the proposed hydrocarbon exploration.