Fishermen protest hydrocarbon project in Gulf of Mannar

Fishermen and laborers in Tamil Nadu protested against a new hydrocarbon project on Saturday. They gathered at Muthupettai Indra Nagar and walked into the sea to express their concerns. M. Karunamurthi, a leader from the sea laborers association connected to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), spoke about the project's scope. It will cover 25 lakh acres of water from Danushkodi to Thoothukudi. He believes that many fishermen do not understand the serious risks involved. Karunamurthi noted that several coastal areas are already experiencing problems, such as changes in sea levels. He linked these issues to past development projects like the Pamban bridge. He warned that the hydrocarbon project would use heavy equipment that could bore deep into the sea. The fishermen are also concerned about potential oil spills, referencing a past incident in Ennore. They worry that a similar disaster could happen in their waters, harming marine life. Karunamurthi highlighted the importance of the Gulf of Mannar islands, which help protect coastal villages from tsunamis. He fears that damaging this area could threaten the livelihoods of people who depend on the sea. A meeting will be organized in the coming weeks to discuss the potential problems the hydrocarbon project may cause.