India - Fishermen in Kerala are protesting against offshore sand mining, fearing it will devastate the marine ecosystem and their livelihoods. The All India Fishermen Congress (AIFC) launched the protest, urging the government to halt the decision to conduct offshore sand mining along the Kerala coast.
According to AIFC, the selected mining sectors, including Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad, are rich in marine resources. They argue that the mining will deplete fish stocks and destroy the coastline, benefiting private companies at the expense of coastal communities. The AIFC is participating in state-level protests against the policy.