Port Blair, March 2: Coast Guard Component of Andaman and Nicobar Command conducted an IMO Level-I course from 20 to 24 Feb 23 for various stakeholders responsible for pollution response operations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The training course was conducted in line with the guidelines of the OPRC Convention 1990, to which India is a signatory. Andaman and Nicobar Command, recognizes that any oil spill in the seas around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would have severe environmental impact on the marine ecosystem and may adversely affect dependent economic and tourism activities.

The course curriculum was designed to provide participants with an understanding of various aspects of pollution response, including awareness, preparedness, response, legal regulations, and practical exposure to handling pollution response equipment. The training course was attended by 22 participants, which included officials from the Department of Environment, Forests, and Police Marine Force (PMF) in addition to personnel from the Indian Coast Guard. The effort in providing training courses for various stakeholders reflects the Command’s commitment in safeguarding the marine ecosystem and preserving the economic/tourism activities dependent on it.