Question : ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS CAUSED BY TOXIC WASTES

(a) whether the Government is aware of the growing environmental hazard caused by dumping of toxic material during ship-breaking at Alang on Gujarat coast;

(b) if so, whether a scrapped Norwegian LPG tanker recently berthed at Alang with hazardous wastes in violation of Basel Convention regulations;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the workmen at the Alang yard are exposed to toxic wastes such as Asbestos and if so, the steps being taken to protect the lives of such workers from environmental hazards?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R.BAALU)

(a) to (d) In view of the potential environmental and health hazards posed by ship breaking activity, detailed guidelines have been developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure that ship-breaking activities are carried out in an environmentally sound manner. The Supreme Court has also given wide ranging directions on ship-breaking activity to ensure safety of the workers as well as protection of the environment. The guidelines and Supreme Court directions have been sent to all the relevant bodies and authorities such as the concerned State Pollution Control Boards including Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Maritime Board etc, for strict compliance.

Permission was recently granted to a Norwegian ship `Hesperus` for berthing at Alang ship breaking yard, Gujarat, after detailed investigations by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and in consultation with the CPCB. At present, the trans-boundary movements of ships destined for breaking purpose do no attract the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.