India’s Offshore Mining Plan Faces Fierce Opposition: Will the Coastline Survive? | TDG Explainer

India’s administration is pushing aggressively for offshore mining as part of its strategy to secure critical minerals in Kollam, Kerala. The aim is to reduce dependence on foreign imports and strengthen domestic mining. The most significant step in this initiative is the historic auctioning of offshore mining rights, the first since India gained independence.

However, this move has faced strong opposition from Kerala’s fishing community, who argue it will harm both their livelihoods and the coastal ecosystem.

India’s Economic Push and Environmental Concerns

The offshore mining project is a cornerstone of India’s $1.8 billion National Critical Mineral Mission, launched in January. India aims to secure minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth metals, vital for its green energy transition and manufacturing independence. These minerals are crucial not only for clean energy but also for producing consumer goods like electronics and air conditioners.

While the government justifies the project as a step toward national economic development, Kerala’s fishing communities see it differently. Fishermen worry that the mining could damage vital marine habitats, including coral reefs and sandbanks, which sustain local fisheries. The destruction of these ecosystems would directly threaten their livelihoods, as they depend heavily on Kerala’s marine resources for income and sustenance.

The Kerala Fisherfolk Resistance

Since the federal government announced the mining plan in November 2024, Kerala’s fishing community has staged numerous protests. These include several strikes and a statewide agitation in February 2025, supported by various stakeholders in the fishing industry. On March 12, a protest in New Delhi by the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee, along with opposition leaders, highlighted their concerns over the potential destruction of marine ecosystems.

A key concern for the fishermen is the proximity of the mining sites to crucial fishing areas. The mining areas in the Kollam district are close to key fishing grounds and coral reefs that generations of fishermen have relied on. These reefs support species vital to the local fishing industry, such as fish, shrimp, squid, and octopus. Local experts, including Professor Biju Kumar of the University of Kerala, warn that the mining will disrupt these ecosystems, causing a significant decline in fish populations.

The mining could also lead to increased coastal erosion. Kerala’s coastline is protected by rocky reefs that act as natural barriers, shielding the area from erosion and extreme weather. These reefs played a crucial role during the 2004 tsunami, preventing widespread destruction. Mining could damage or destroy these reefs, exposing the coast to further erosion and natural disasters.

Economic Growth vs. Environmental Protection

The debate over offshore mining in Kerala reflects the global challenge of balancing economic development with environmental conservation. The Indian government argues that securing minerals for its green energy transition and economic growth is crucial. To meet the growing demand for these minerals, India believes it must open up new mining areas, even offshore.

However, environmentalists, scientists, and local communities caution that rapid resource extraction can have severe long-term consequences. They warn that the environmental damage caused by offshore mining could be irreversible, leading to the collapse of marine ecosystems. Critics also argue that the long-term social and economic effects of these projects have not been fully evaluated, and the concerns of local communities have been disregarded.

Experts like Charles George, convenor of the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee, stress the importance of considering the long-term impact on the coastal ecosystem. The Kerala state government has already expressed its opposition to the project, passing a unanimous resolution in the state assembly against the federal government’s plans. This resolution underscores the strong local resistance to the project and raises concerns about balancing development with environmental sustainability.

The Wider Perspective: India’s Resource Strategy

India’s interest in offshore mining is part of a broader strategy to secure critical minerals for its clean energy infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign countries, particularly China. As global demand for minerals like lithium and cobalt rises, India aims to establish a stable domestic supply to support its green transition and technological development.

However, the question remains: at what cost? While the government is eager to tap these resources for economic growth, the social and environmental costs must not be overlooked. Local communities and marine ecosystems should not bear the brunt of resource extraction.