ICG conducts 24th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan and Preparedness Meeting

Tags: Defence National News

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 30 November conducted the 24th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) and Preparedness Meeting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Important facts

• Director General, ICG V S Pathania, who is the Chairman of NOS-DCP, chaired the meeting.

• During the meeting, national capabilities were reviewed with the objective of ensuring collective preparedness to respond to any oil and chemical spill contingency in Indian waters.

• The meeting was attended by around 100 delegates including representatives from various ministries, central and state government departments and agencies, state pollution control boards, ports and companies dealing with oil spills.

• Currently, as the third largest importer of crude, India receives a large volume of oil through ships.

• Similarly, India stands sixth in the world as a major chemical importer country.

Risks of oil and chemicals spill 

• Spills of both oil and chemicals pose inherent risks to coastal populations, marine ecosystems, industry and the ancillary tourism industry as well as various establishments in India's maritime zones and associated coastlines.

• Hence, preventive measures are required to be taken by the Central Coordinating Agency, Ports, Ship Owners, Oil Handling Facilities, Coastal States and other relevant stakeholders to prevent any possible marine spillage.

About Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

• It is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.

• It was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.

• It is the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.

• It has played a vital role in securing Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in India's maritime zones.

• It is headquartered in New Delhi.