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Hydrocarbon Exploration in Gulf of Mannar
- 28 Feb 2025
- 2 min read
The Indian government has included a around 10,000 sq km deep-sea region of the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) in Tamil Nadu in its latest hydrocarbon exploration tender, raising concerns over its impact on marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.
- Exploration Tender: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, under the 10th Open Acreage Licensing Policy (a mechanism under India's Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy that allows investors to select blocks for oil and gas exploration), has included 25 offshore areas.
- Gulf of Mannar: It is a part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean, containing 21 islands. It spans between the northwest coast of Sri Lanka and the southeast coast of India.
- It is bordered by Rameswaram, the Ram Sethu bridge (also known as Adam's Bridge), and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
- It receives rivers like the Tambraparni (India) and Aruvi (Sri Lanka) and hosts the Tuticorin port.
- It is home to the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia.
- It hosts 117 coral species, over 450 fish species, and globally threatened species like dugongs, whale sharks, and sea turtles.
| Read more: Coral Breach in Gulf of Mannar |
