<h1>State withdraws environmental clearance for 20-well hydrocarbon drilling after protests, citing Protected Agricultural Zone law banning exploration</h1> The state government instructed its environmental assessment authority to withdraw a clearance previously granted to a state oil company for hydrocarbon exploration drilling of 20 wells after widespread protests by fishing communities and political parties. The government reiterated a policy against hydrocarbon projects in the state and cited an existing Protected Agricultural Zone law that bans hydrocarbon exploration in specified delta districts. Environmental and fishing groups warned of threats to livelihoods, coastal ecology and groundwater, and opposition parties urged revocation of the clearance and asked the central government to review and cancel the project.