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Fishermen Protest in Tamilnadu: Chief Minister MK Stalin’s firm policy is not allowing hydrocarbon related projects anywhere in Tamil Nadu.
Fishermen protest in TamilNadu: The Tamil Nadu government has instructed the State Environmental Impact Authority (TNSEIAA) to withdraw the approval given to ONGC for hydrocarbon exploration in Ramanathapuram district in view of the widespread opposition from fishermen and political parties and strict opposition. While Tamil Nadu SEIAA had approved the oil and natural gas corporation to drill hydrocarbon exploration in 20 wells in Ramanathapuram district. Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu has insisted that the government will never allow such projects in the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin’s firm policy is not to allow projects related to hydrocarbons anywhere in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the state government will not allow any hydrocarbon project in the state even in future. This was said by Thenarasu, who has environment and climate change and forest portfolio.
Protected Agricultural Area Act implemented in the state
He informed that the government has already implemented the protected agricultural sector (PAZ) Act on February 20, 2020, in which the Kaveri Delta region of farmers has been declared a protected agricultural area. The minister said on Sunday that the Act prohibits the discovery of hydrocarbons in addition to natural gas, coal -based methane and shell gas in delta districts of Tanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai and Kuddalore. Later in 2023, the ban was extended to Mayiladuthurai district. According to Ku Bharti, environmentalist and president of Neethal Makkal Kutchi, the Union Petroleum Ministry identified hydrocarbon reserves in 30,000 square kilometers shallow marine areas in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and 95,000 square kilometers deep sea areas in the territory of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after auction of blocks in February this year.
Fishermen protesting the project
He said that fishermen, who are facing the crisis of fisheries resource decrease, have no alternative to the already deep sea fish. This hydrocarbon project should be canceled in the interest of fisheries and coastal environment. Bharti told PTI-language that fishermen from coastal districts are opposing the project and demanding cancellation of it from the Center. Opposing the project, the ruling DMK’s aide MDMK has demanded the cancellation of environmental approval for the project from the state government. MDMK chief Vaiko said that this is a threat to the livelihood and environment of fishermen.
Drilling will contaminated ground water
Vaiko said in a statement here that the Central Government should review and withdraw the environmental approval given by the Tamil Nadu government to the ONGC hydrocarbon gas extraction project. While the AIADMK had opposed the project in the initial phase of allowing ONGC to drill and demanded the cancellation of the project. PMK has expressed concern that seawater can contaminate ground water with drilling. Claiming that ONGC applied for approval in October 2023. PMK leader Dr. Ambumani Ramdas alleged that the wells were dug 3,000 feet below the ground. Anbumani said in a statement that the technology used for hydrocarbon extraction will cause earthquakes and other disasters. Apart from this, the entire district will turn into desert.
