Tamil Nadu passes law, no fresh nod for oil exploration in Cauvery Delta region

CHENNAI: Existing oil wells operating in the Cauvery Delta can continue operations but there will be no more fresh allocations as a new law passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly protects five districts in the Cauvery Delta from natural resource mining that may harm farming.

The Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act 2020 was passed in the Assembly on Thursday even as the DMK staged a walkout. It calls for the prohibition of drilling and extraction of oil and natural gas, including coal-bed methane, shale gas and other similar hydrocarbons, in addition to seven other projects such as zinc, copper and aluminium smelters, tanneries, ship breaking to name a few.