PIB Summary- 20th September, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Samudra Prahari

Context
The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari, a Pollution Control Vessel, has commenced an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, from September 11 to October 14, 2023, as part of an initiative announced during the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting Plus meeting in November 2022.

Key Features of Samudra Prahari

• The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari is a Pollution Control Vessel commissioned in Mumbai on October 9, 2010.

Major Features

• Equipped with advanced pollution control gear, containment tools, and oil recovery devices.
• Contains oil spill containment tools like Hi-Sprint Booms and river booms.
• Has oil recovery devices including skimmers and side sweeping arms.
• Features storage facilities within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Equipped with a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Response configuration.
• Has the capability for unmanned machinery operation.

Activities

• Participates in international outreach programs such as “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan,” which involves beach clean-ups and similar activities.
• Currently hosting 13 National Cadet Corps cadets as part of an overseas exchange program.

International Initiatives Related to Marine Pollution

• The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, aims to prevent, reduce, and control pollution of the marine environment by dumping.
  • India is a signatory to UNCLOS.
• The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) focuses on preventing marine pollution from operational or accidental causes by ships.
  • India is a signatory to MARPOL.
• The London Convention and London Protocol aim to protect the marine environment from pollution caused by the dumping of wastes and other matter into the ocean.
  • India is not a participant in either of these agreements.
• The India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative seeks to collaborate on efforts to develop clean and healthy oceans, sustainable use of ocean resources, and growth in the blue economy, with a focus on sharing experiences and competence between India and Norway.

Operation Sajag

Context
The Indian Coast Guard recently conducted ‘Operation Sajag,’ a Coastal Security Drill along the Western Coast.

Operation Sajag

• Purpose: It is a coastal security drill conducted by the Indian Coast Guard along the west coast.
• Stakeholder Involvement: It includes all stakeholders of the Indian coastal security construct.
• Participating Ships: A total of 118 ships, including those from Customs, Marine Police, Ports, and the Indian Navy, participated in the drill.
• Objectives:
  • Facilitates the revalidation of the coastal security mechanism.
  • Raises awareness among fishermen at sea.
  • Involves extensive checking and verification of documents and crew passes of all fishing boats, barges, and craft at sea.
• Technological Advancements: Biometric card readers have been issued to security agencies.
• Additional Measures: The drill involves monitoring of dhows, island security, and community interaction programs as part of the coastal security construct.

Key Facts about the Indian Coast Guard

• Role: It is an armed force responsible for protecting India’s maritime interests and enforcing maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
• Establishment: Formally established in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent armed force of India.
• Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• Leadership: The organization is headed by the Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.