Context

• The 9th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard on 25 November 2023 at Vadinar, Gujarat.
• More than 31 foreign observers and 80 delegates participated in the exercise.

 Key Points

• The National Level Pollution Response Exercise fulfilled its objective of testing the level of preparedness and coordination among various resource agencies in response to a marine oil spill using the provisions of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) deployed surface as well as air platforms for marine pollution response including Pollution Response Vessels (PRVs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III and Dornier aircraft.
• The event also showcased India's industrial strength in the context of 'Make in India' under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
• Major ports also deployed their maritime assets to demonstrate coordinated efforts to tackle marine pollution.

Risk of oil spill and India's efforts

• It is noteworthy that 75 percent of India's energy requirements are met by oil which is imported into our country through sea route.
• As such, oil transportation by ships is fraught with risks and protective measures need to be taken by both ship owners as well as the facilities receiving the oil inside the port.
• A robust national system has been created for oil spill response in times of oil spill disasters in Indian waters. In this context, the Indian Coast Guard acts as the central coordination authority to deal with oil spills in Indian waters.

Role of Coast Guard

• The Indian Coast Guard took over the responsibilities for protecting the marine environment in the maritime areas of India on 07 March 1986, when these responsibilities were transferred from the Ministry of Shipping.
• Subsequently, the Coast Guard established the NOSDCP to deal with the oil spill disaster at sea, which was approved by the Committee of Secretaries in 1993.
• Apart from preparing the NOSDCP, the Coast Guard has set up four pollution response centers at Mumbai, Chennai, Port Blair and Vadinar.

 Important facts for exam

Gujarat

• Establishment: 1 May 1960
• Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Top Cotton Producing State: Gujarat