Wadge Bank Faces Threat from Proposed Oil Exploration

• 26 Jan 2024

The Government of India's plan to offer three oil and gas blocks for exploration and development under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) poses a significant threat to Wadge Bank, a 10,000 square kilometre sea area south of Kanyakumari, known for its biodiversity and as India's richest fishery resource.

Key Points

• Ideal Environment for Marine Life: Wadge Bank's low intensity of currents, waves, and tides create an ideal environment for the accumulation of nutrients and fish food, crucial for marine life.
• Appeal for Withdrawal of Bids: An activist appealed to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to withdraw the bids, emphasizing the need for diligence, assessments, and public consultations to safeguard the Wadge Bank ecosystem.
• Potential Impact on Fishing Community: The activist warned that oil exploration could lead to the destruction of the Wadge Bank's marine resources, pushing the local fishing community into poverty.
• Industrial activity and pollution resulting from oil exploration could have unpredictable consequences on the ocean ecosystem.