Oil spoil

INDIA is soon likely to ratify the International Convention on Oil Pollution
Preparedness, drawn up under the aegis
of the International Maritime Organisation of the UN. Once the convention is
signed, India will have access to training, planning and technical support
from the advanced countries to combat
oil spills. India falls in the vicinity of one
of the world's busiest sea routes through
which oil from the Gulf is carried to the
Far East. As a result, the coastal areas
around the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands
face constant threat of oil pollution.

The convention, which has been
already ratified by the required number
of countries, came into effect in May
1995. It commits members to recognise
the serious threat posed to the marine
environment by oil pollution: incidents
involving ships, offshore units, sea
ports and oil handling facilities. India
will now have toensure that offshore
units have oil pollution emergency
plans which are coordinated through
the national system established by the
coastguard.