Relevance: GS-3 (Environment & Ecology); Prelims – Protected Areas, Marine Governance
 Source: The Hindu + MoES + Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Reports

Context

The Government has clarified that recently auctioned offshore mineral blocks exclude all areas notified as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Concerns from coastal communities—especially in Kerala—highlighted risks to marine biodiversity and livelihoods from sand, lime-mud, and polymetallic mining.

Allocation of Offshore Mining Lease & Offshore Mineral Trust

Under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Conservation and Development) Rules, 2024, 23 offshore blocks were carved out.

The Offshore Areas Mineral Trust (OAMT)—with coastal States on its Governing Body—funds research, ecological restoration, disaster management, and monitoring related to offshore mining.

What Are Marine Protected Areas?

MPAs are legally designated sections of seas/oceans meant to protect marine biodiversity, fish spawning grounds, coral reefs, and endangered species.

Who declares MPAs in India?

  • Declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Marine National Parks, Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries).
  • Coastal & marine conservation zones also fall under:

    • CRZ Regulations (MoEFCC)
    • Integrated Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) identified by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM).
  • India has notified 130 MPAs and 106 coastal/marine sites under ICMBA frameworks.

Threats: Offshore mining can disturb benthic habitats, increase sedimentation, reduce fish populations, and worsen climate vulnerability for coastal communities.

Way ahead: Adopting science-based zoning, community consent, and cumulative impact assessments is crucial for balancing mineral extraction with marine ecological security.

Prelims Value Box

  • Marine Protected Area (MPA): A spatially designated marine zone aimed at conserving biodiversity, protecting spawning grounds, and restricting harmful activities.
  • Offshore Areas Mineral (Conservation & Development) Rules, 2024 – govern offshore mining and mandate exclusion of MPAs + environmental management plans.
  • Offshore Areas Mineral Trust (OAMT) – funds research, mitigation, and monitoring of offshore ecological impacts.

Q. With reference to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and offshore mining in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Offshore mining operations are prohibited within MPAs under the Offshore Areas Mineral Rules, 2024.
  2. Integrated Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) are legally protected zones with the same legal status as MPAs.

Select the correct answer:
 A. 1 only
 B. 2 only
 C. Both 1 and 2
 D. None

Correct Answer: A

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