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News: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued draft Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026 to address marine pollution from toxic oil residues.
About Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026
- These are dedicated rules for managing tar balls pollution across coastal areas.
- Released by: The rules were issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Framed under: They are framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Aim: The rules aim to ensure environmentally sound management of tar balls and reduce risks to marine ecosystems, public health, and coastal economy.
- Key Provisions of the Draft Rules (2026):
- Lifecycle Management: The rules cover generation, collection, storage, transport, treatment, disposal, and repurposing of tar balls.
- Polluter Pays Principle: Oil facility owners must pay environmental compensation if mismanagement causes oil spills and public health damage.
- State Disaster Provision: States must declare tar ball pollution as a “state disaster” and act under the Disaster Management Act.
- Institutional Responsibilities: Multiple ministries and authorities are assigned roles for coordinated and environmentally sound management.
- Steering Committee: A committee with members from seven ministries and pollution control boards will guide implementation.
- Industrial Use: Tar balls with calorific value above 1,500 kcal can be used as fuel in cement industries after authorisation.
About Tar Balls
- Nature: Tar balls are sticky, weathered residues of oil formed from spills, leaks, and marine accidents.
- Formation Process: They form when lighter oil evaporates and heavier hydrocarbons mix with sand and debris.
- Impact: They contain toxic contaminants like heavy metals and persistent pollutants, posing risks to marine life, human health, and tourism, especially along the western coast.
