In the coastal district of Mannar, a growing movement of youth and local residents took to the streets under the banner of the “Karu Nilam” (Black Soil) protest, calling for an immediate halt to a proposed ilmenite sand mining project. Demonstrators expressed fears that the project could cause irreversible environmental damage, threatening fragile ecosystems and livelihoods tied to the land and sea.
Waving placards and chanting slogans, the crowd gathered peacefully but firmly, demanding that the government reconsider any agreements linked to mineral extraction in the region. Organisers said the protest represents a broader resistance to extractive industries that disregard local voices and long-term ecological consequences.
Environmental activists and local leaders warned that ilmenite mining along Mannar’s coast could destroy native biodiversity, contaminate groundwater, and displace fishing communities. Many questioned the lack of public consultation and transparency in the approval process, calling for an independent environmental impact assessment.
The protest reflects a growing national conversation about resource governance, environmental justice, and the need for development policies that are accountable to the people most affected by them.
Leave a comment