Relevance: GS-3 (Disaster Management, Environment & Ecology) |Source: The Hindu

1. What is the Core Issue?

Recently, two major shipwrecks off the coast of Kerala acted as a severe wake-up call. One of the ships sank and leaked massive amounts of toxic plastic pellets (known as “nurdles”) into the pristine marine ecosystem.

• The Administrative Action: Realizing the severe lack of disaster preparedness, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has drafted a dedicated Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) and submitted it to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to prevent and fight future marine disasters.

2. The Danger and the Scope

For an administrator, understanding the geographical risk is the first step in disaster management.

• The Vulnerability: Kerala has a 590 km-long coastline that sits directly next to some of the world’s busiest international oil shipping routes. Any accident in these waters directly threatens the state’s shores.
• The Coverage Area: The new safety plan will cover oil spills happening within 12 nautical miles (about 24 km) of the coastline. Most importantly, it also protects vulnerable river systems up to 40 km inland, wherever the ocean tides reach.

3. How the Plan Works

The plan upgrades Kerala’s disaster management from merely reacting to accidents, to being fully prepared:

• Vulnerability Mapping: Creating “Sensitivity Maps” to identify crucial ecological zones and fishing areas. During a crisis, this tells the response teams exactly what to save first to protect the livelihood of fishermen.
• Scientific Tracking: Using advanced computer software to predict exactly how ocean currents and winds will push the spilled oil, allowing teams to intercept it early.
• Tactical Response: Setting up physical floating barriers (called “booming”) in the water to trap the oil, along with clear rules for cleaning up beaches and rescuing affected marine wildlife.
• Clear Leadership: Creating a strict chain of command with a ready database of all available clean-up machines and emergency contacts, so there is no confusion during a disaster.

4. Administrative Linkages 

State-level disaster plans do not work in isolation; they must tie into national frameworks:

• Indian Coast Guard (ICG): The ICG is the central coordinating agency for fighting marine oil spills in India. Kerala’s final plan must be vetted and approved by them.
• National Guidelines (NOS-DCP): Kerala’s plan is strictly built upon the National Oil Disaster Contingency Plan, ensuring uniformity across the country.
• International Duty: By implementing this plan, India fulfills its global promises to prevent ocean pollution under international treaties like the MARPOL and OPRC conventions.

UPSC Value Box

• Nurdles: Tiny, toxic plastic pellets used in manufacturing. When spilled in the ocean, they are often eaten by fish and severely poison the marine food chain.
• Blue Economy: The sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
• MARPOL Convention: The main international convention aimed at preventing pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

With reference to marine pollution and disaster management in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Coast Guard is designated as the Central Coordinating Agency for combating marine oil spills in Indian waters.
2. The MARPOL Convention is an international treaty primarily focused on the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from civil aviation.
3. The territorial waters of India, where state-level oil spill contingency plans often apply, extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c)