Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday conducted a workshop as part of the two-day Area Level Pollution Response Exercise at Vizhinjam here.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Sekhar L Kuriyakose, Member Secretary, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), at the Coast Guard Station in Vizhinjam, according to a defence statement.
Station Commander Commandant Suresh R Kurup welcomed the gathering.
Kuriyakose, in his inaugural address, emphasised the need to create awareness among coastal communities about marine pollution and its consequences.
He said several major accidents at sea had been handled successfully by the Disaster Management team in coordination with other agencies, attributing the success to vigilance, preparedness and collaboration.
Representatives of the KSDMA, Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited, Keralam Pollution Control Board, CMFRI, Kerala Maritime Board, the Collectorates of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, Fisheries Department, Kerala Police, Harbour Engineering Department and oil-handling agencies made presentations on rescue activities and pollution response measures during the seminar, the statement said.
The two-day workshop and tabletop exercise, being held on September 24 and 25, aims to improve awareness and coordination among stakeholders from various government and non-government organisations, it said.
“The rationale of the workshop is to build and launch coordinated efforts to protect the shores during any unforeseen situation involving an oil spill at sea or within port limits,” it added.
(PTI News)
