(a) whether marine pollution is increasing in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government proposes to create marine protected
areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone and in territorial waters; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
MINISTRY OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES, MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,
PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) The increase in marine pollution is specific to a few locations and increasing trend is localized in nature. Nutrients
like nitrate and pathogenic bacteria are the major pollutants that are observed to be increasing at several locations. For
example, at Hooghly, Paradip, Mumbai, Kochi and Mangalore, increasing levels of nutrients are due to industrial effluents
discharge, disposal of untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, operation of fertilizer plants near coastal cities, towns
and handling of fertilizers in the ports and harbours. Further, the bacterial contamination (faecal coliform), exceeding
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) limits was observed at many places such as Hooghly, Paradip, Chennai, Pondicherry,
Cuddalore, Tuticorin, Dwarka, Pipavav, Mumbai, Tarapur and Okha due to discharge of untreated domestic sewage in coastal
waters.
(c) Government has taken several actions which include clean up of rivers under the National River Conservation Programme
of Ministry of Environment and Forests to minimize pollution load into the coastal waters. A massive sewage treatment scheme
has been implemented for treatment sewage of Mumbai. Incentives have been provided to the industries for installation of
pollution control equipment. Common Effluent treatment plants have been installed in several industrial estates for
treatment of wastes from small and medium scale industries.
(d) No madam.
(e) Does not arise.