DMK member K Kanimozhi on Wednesday demanded in the Lok Sabha that the government stop the auction of petroleum and natural gas blocks in the Cauvery Basin within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Kanimozhi said the Biosphere Reserve has a rich biodiversity encompassing varied ecosystems like coral reefs, sea-grass beds, mangroves, estuaries, mudflats, islands and forests.
“It is spread over 560 sq km off the coasts of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts. Also, the adjoining Palk Bay area encompasses India’s first conservation reserve for Dugong Sea cows,” Kanimozhi said.
She claimed the auction proposal of this ecologically sensitive block was made without consulting the Tamil Nadu Government.
