In August 2025, political parties, environmental groups, and coastal communities in Tamil Nadu protested against a proposal by the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to execute onshore and offshore exploratory hydrocarbon drilling along the Ramanathapuram coast.
The proposed project entails the drilling of 20 exploratory hydrocarbon wells across the coastal and offshore regions of Ramanathapuram district and parts of neighbouring Sivaganga. At an estimated cost of ₹675 crore, each exploratory well involves deep subterranean drilling - reaching depths of 2,000 to 3,000 meters into the earth and seabed - to test for commercial reserves of crude oil and natural gas. The project was envisioned under the Central Government’s Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), aimed at boosting domestic energy production, reducing India’s dependence on crude oil imports, and evaluating the commercial viability of hydrocarbon reserves along the Cauvery basin and eastern continental shelf.
The ONGC submitted its application to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for exploration clearance in October 2023. Following changes in the 2020 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification - which shifted Category B2 oil and gas exploration projects to state jurisdiction without mandatory public hearings - the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) granted environmental clearance for the 20 exploratory wells on 11 March 2025. ONGC also simultaneously sought exemptions from mandatory public consultation processes under the Environment Protect Act and Coastal Regulation Zone Notification for drilling new exploratory wells.
Moreover, State Coastal Zone Management Plans (SCZMPs) are required to contain fishing zones and fish breeding areas according to the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011. However, the Tamil Nadu SCZMP was approved without including such zones in the SCZMP map, which means there is a lack of legal protection to for community's to stake a claim over their fishing zones.
The project faced resistance from an alliance of traditional fisherfolk, farmers, and environmental groups. Environmental activists and fisherfolk argued that the proposed offshore drilling zone sits dangerously close to the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, home to protected coral reefs, seagrass beds, and diverse marine life. They argued that seismic testing and toxic chemical discharge from drilling would destroy marine habitats and drive away fish stocks, thus impacting the daily catch and livelihoods of local fishing communities. Farmers expressed concerns over subterranean drilling contaminating freshwater aquifers with heavy metals and chemicals and causing soil salinisation. They also also contented that the project leveraged a gap within the Protected Agricultural Zone Act 2020 in Tamil Nadu, which prohibits hydrocarbon drilling in the Cauvery delta of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Pudukottai districts that support most of the agricultural activities in the state, but leaves out Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai though these regions also support such agricultural activities.
In response to the mounting public outcry, the Tamil Nadu State Government stepped in to halt the project. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change instructed the SEIAA to immediately revoke the environmental clearance granted to ONGC, reiterating the state’s executive policy against allowing new hydrocarbon extraction or exploration initiatives. Following government directives, the regulatory authority issued a show-cause notice to ONGC regarding the revocation of the environmental clearance.
An ONGC spokesperson of the corporation told ThePrint that it was monitoring the developments and that they are yet to decide on the next course of action in this regard.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Opposition against environmental degradation
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
Type of Land
Common
Coastal
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Fishing, Conservation / protection of ecosystems and species, Agricultural land, "Access and mobility to land, water and natural resources"
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/nod-for-ongcs-oil-exploration-in-ramnad-sparks-fire-tn-govt-steps-in-to-douse-it-844411#:~:text=CHENNAI%3A%20Putting%20the%20State%20government%20in%20a,in%20the%20Cauvery%20basin%20in%20Ramanathapuram%20district.
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
675
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2025
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation / Dilution / Non-implementation of CRZ Notification
Violation of environmental laws
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Hardy Exploration & Production (India) Inc; Invenire Petrodyne Limited
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
