(a) whether the National Institute of Oceanography has detected large sources of chemical pollution in some areas near the Arabian Sea coast;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said Institute has not been alert in respect of such chemical pollution on the East Coast;
(d) the factual position in this regard; and
(e) if so, the steps proposed to be taken up by the Institute to monitor the level of chemical pollution in the coastal areas?
MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN ANSWER TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 438 FOR ANSWER IN THE
LOK SABHA ON 19TH DECEMBER, 2000
The Department of Ocean Development is monitoring the marine pollution in the coastal waters of India since 1991 under the Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS). Data on 25 pollution and related parameters are being collected along the coast at 85 locations upto 25 km into the sea. The results are sent to the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board. SPCBs are responsible for the detection of sources of chemical and other pollution and for taking further action as per rules.
The National Institute of Oceanography under the COMAPS programme is monitoring the levels of marine pollution in the Arabian sea coast from Kochi in Kerala to Okha in Gujarat. The results obtained during the last ten years indicate that the chemical pollution levels are found to be high in certain creeks in and around Mumbai like Mahim, Thane, Ulhas and Versova.
Under the COMAPS programme, the National Institute of Oceanography is also monitoring marine pollution from Krishnapatnam to Kalingapatnam on the East coast. The results obtained indicate no significant level of chemical pollution.
The present COMAPS programme to monitor chemical and other pollutants in the coastal waters of India will be continued.