Indian Coast Guard to get three more pollution control vessels to enhance capabilities
Panaji Apr 19 PTI As a marine pollution control response three more pollution control vessels PCVs will be added to the Indian Coast Guards ICG fleet Union Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said on Tuesday Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 8th National Pollution Response Exercise currently taking place in Goa Kumar said that India is also willing to help friendly countries in upgrading their capabilities Around 19 friendly countries are participating in the exercise The Union government is continuously trying to upgrade the ICGs capabilities to face pollution hazards in the ocean Today the Indian Coast Guard is capable of handling the highest level of oil spills in this region which is 700 tonnes and above Only a few countries in the world have this capability Kumar said Currently the ICG has two dedicated vessels for pollution response while three more will be added to its fleet to enhance its capability he said The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest routes in the world and half of the trade takes place in the region the senior official said adding that oil exploration has also increase and accidents can happen anywhere Countries are also battling with the issue of plastic waste being dumped in the ocean he said We need to fight this plastic pollution collectively It cannot be done by one country All the coastal countries in the region need to make efforts Kumar said The defence secretary lauded the Punit Sagar Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear plastic from the coastline We should ensure that plastic waste is not washed into the ocean Every year 15000 million tonnes of plastic washes into the Indian Ocean from different countries If this continues our marine life environment ecology and health will be affected he said Asked about cooperation from Pakistan and China over the pollution response Kumar said This is an environmental issue and all countries should contribute towards it Several treaties have been signed to reduce pollution in the Indian Ocean and friendly nations will have to collectively ensure that these are observed he said PTI RPS ARU ARU
Panaji Apr 19 PTI As a marine pollution control response three more pollution control vessels PCVs will be added to the Indian Coast Guards ICG fleet Union Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said on Tuesday Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 8th National Pollution Response Exercise currently taking place in Goa Kumar said that India is also willing to help friendly countries in upgrading their capabilities Around 19 friendly countries are participating in the exercise The Union government is continuously trying to upgrade the ICGs capabilities to face pollution hazards in the ocean Today the Indian Coast Guard is capable of handling the highest level of oil spills in this region which is 700 tonnes and above Only a few countries in the world have this capability Kumar said Currently the ICG has two dedicated vessels for pollution response while three more will be added to its fleet to enhance its capability he said The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest routes in the world and half of the trade takes place in the region the senior official said adding that oil exploration has also increase and accidents can happen anywhere Countries are also battling with the issue of plastic waste being dumped in the ocean he said We need to fight this plastic pollution collectively It cannot be done by one country All the coastal countries in the region need to make efforts Kumar said The defence secretary lauded the Punit Sagar Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear plastic from the coastline We should ensure that plastic waste is not washed into the ocean Every year 15000 million tonnes of plastic washes into the Indian Ocean from different countries If this continues our marine life environment ecology and health will be affected he said Asked about cooperation from Pakistan and China over the pollution response Kumar said This is an environmental issue and all countries should contribute towards it Several treaties have been signed to reduce pollution in the Indian Ocean and friendly nations will have to collectively ensure that these are observed he said PTI RPS ARU ARU
