TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The draft of the ‘Goa State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (SOS-DCP)’ enlisting the measures to tackle the occurrence of tar balls on the beaches has tasked the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and Director General of Shipping to conduct annual analysis for the next five years to explore the likely sources of the tar ball formation.
The two ministries have been asked to monitor inland water ways and riverine area where barges, trawlers and inland vessels sail within the State’s boundary.
The report prepared by Goa State Pollution Control Board on directions by the government, was circulated among 28 departments on Tuesday. Various objections and suggestions were discussed during the meeting, compilation of which will be sent to the govt next month.
“The draft ‘compliance required’ from various departments were circulated to heads of various departments. Their suggestions will be compiled and submitted to the government for approval, within 15 days. A final report will be ready by December,” GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told reporters after the meeting.
The ministries have also been asked to jointly monitor marine transport routes in the Arabian Sea along the Goa coast, for oil, grease and hydrocarbons content in water columns, sediments for biological parameters, both in pre monsoon and post monsoon period.
GSPCB will itself conduct the annual analyses, formulate plans for regular monitoring and control of coastal pollution through industrial and urban development in collaboration with Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and also contribute in development of effective Coastal Zone Management Plan in the light of prevailing tar ball formation. In addition to MoEF and DG Shipping, departments including Mormugao Port Trust, Panchayat, National Institute of Oceanography, Tourism, and Captain of Ports were given a detailed list of responsibilities.
Meanwhile, NIO has sought oil samples from MPT to ascertain the source of oil spills since a number of ships and barges dock there.
