Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2572-3103
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2572-3103
+44 1300 500008
D Mohan and P Madheswaran
ICMAM Project Directorate, India
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Oceanogr Mar Res
This report details on significant achievements of Marine Pollution Monitoring Program outlining the problems of marine and coastal pollution in India with a long term data base generated and operated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (GOI). This Program has been operational since 1991 and ICMAM Project Directorate, under the Ministry is the nodal agency, for co-ordination of the program for collection of oceanographic data on 25 pollution related parameters with the involvement of leading research institutions and universities along the coastal states of the country. The status of marine pollution in the country could be fairly understood and health of our seas has been assessed and areas of low, medium and high concentrations of pollutants have been identified and areas of high concentration of pollutants are being monitored intensively. The data collected have been evaluated and organized in the form of a data base. The data base is hosted by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service (INCOIS), Hyderabad. The data facilitated analysis of trends of chemical and biological parameters of the ocean and revealed that the regulations issued by the Central and State Governments. India has wide range of laws and regulations governing the environment. The enactment of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and The Environment Protection Act, 1986 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India to keep the coastal waters clean and free from pollution, they are classified based on the use and activities of the coast, hence the Primary Water Quality Criteria have been specified for various use classes to determine its suitability for a particular purpose. ICMAM Project Directorate has derived �Sea Water Quality Criteria� for heavy metals and pesticides and they were prescribed for issue of amendment in the existing Gazette Notification of the MoEF & CC, GOI (1998). The Government of India has formulated a comprehensive Policy Statement for Abatement of Pollution, which envisages integration of environmental and economic aspects of development planning, River basin-wise surveys for Ganga and Yamuna action plans to improve water quality of rivers through implementation of pollution abatement schemes etc. Further, zoning atlas for location of the industries based on environmental considerations in various districts of the country has also been studied. Similarly, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, which made environmental clearance mandatory for 29 categories of projects have been made. The government has prepared an action plan for treatment of waste waters that are being generated from the domestic and industrial sources.
D Mohan has expertise in Coastal & Marine Pollution, and Marine Ecotoxicology. His contributions in prescription of Seawater Quality Criteria for metals and pesticides have made recognition in the CPCB and under active consideration for evaluation and implementation.