Tamil Nadu Government Reverses Environmental Clearance for ONGC Drillings, Citing Ecological and Political Risks

Strategic Insights -

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday signaled a reversal of environmental clearance granted to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for drilling 20 onshore exploratory wells in the Ramanathapuram district, amidst an outcry from political parties, activists, and farmers. The clearance, issued on March 11, allowed ONGC to drill wells to depths of 2,000 to 3,000 meters over a 1,403 square km block in the Ramnad sub-basin, near the ecologically fragile Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and several bird sanctuaries. The move triggered a political storm, with opposition parties accusing the ruling DMK of duplicity, while environmentalists and residents voiced alarm over the potential ecological and agricultural impacts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tamil Nadu government has reversed its decision to grant environmental clearance for ONGC's 20 onshore exploratory wells in the Ramanathapuram district, citing ecological and political risks.
  • The clearance was issued on March 11 for wells to be drilled to depths of 2,000 to 3,000 meters over a 1,403 square km block in the Ramnad sub-basin, near the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and several bird sanctuaries.
  • The project was met with strong opposition from farmers, activists, and environmentalists, who warned of ecological destruction and betrayal of earlier promises made by the DMK government.
  • The DMK's reversal was a political necessity, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of duplicity and its allies rushing to distance themselves from the decision.
  • The project's ecological impact was highlighted by environmentalists, who warned of groundwater depletion and harm to agriculture in one of Tamil Nadu's most fragile districts.

Statistics:

  • 20 onshore exploratory wells envisioned by ONGC in the Ramanathapuram district
  • $33.75 crore estimated cost per well
  • 1,403 square km area of the Ramnad sub-basin where the wells would be drilled
  • 2,000-3,000 meters depth to which the wells would be drilled

Sources:

  • "Tamil Nadu government to cancel ONGC project" by Press Trust of India, distributed by Contify.com
  • "ONGC to drill 20 wells in TN without prior consent" by India Today Group Digit Ltd., distributed by Contify.com