Question : AFFECT ON MANGROVES AND FISHERMEN DUE TO OIL SPILLING

(a) whether oil spill from the sunken MV RAK has polluted fragile coastal ecology and bio-diversity of mangroves;

(b) if so, the details along with the ecological and environmental impacts thereof and steps taken to clean up the damaged coast;

(c) whether oil spillage will also affect mangroves and the fishermen;

(d) if so, whether there is need to seek compensation from the ship owner and provide the compensation to affected fishermen;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether there is urgent need to update the existing protocols to ensure better coordination among various agencies for on and off-shore impacts of oil spills; and

(g) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONEMNT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (g): As per the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, Director General, Indian Coast Guard under the Ministry of Defence is the Central Coordinating Authority for oil spill response and marine pollution response.

An operation “Paryavaran Suraksha 02/11” was launched by the Coast Guard for oil spill response and to prevent damage to marine environment due to the sinking of MV Rak Carrier. As reported by the Coast Guard Headquarters, the oil spilled from MV Rak Carrier was initially at the rate of 1.5 to 2 tons per hour which later reduced to 0.5 tons per hour. As on 21st August 2011, there is no oil spill from the sunken ship. No mangroves have been affected by oil spill from MV Rak Carrier. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in co-ordination with the Coast Guard and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has cleaned up the shore. Aerial monitoring is being continued in the area for oil spill response action as necessary.

As per the information provided by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, there was an existing fishing ban up to 15th August, 2011. However, as a precaution, an advisory was issued to fishermen not to venture into that area where MV Rak Carrier has sunk.

The Directorate General of Shipping has initiated action against the owner of the ship under the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.