"For one step forward GPCB has taken three steps back. GPCB has
continuously violated the Polluter Pays principle and routinely
assists the polluters by taking on the hazardous and pricey job of
decontamination upon themselves at state expense. Instead GPCB
should immediately contact V Shipping International to come to
Alang and execute the clean-up, as they are liable for the safe
removal and re-import of asbestos and other hazardous waste on
board Genova Bridge according to Basel Convention and Indian
Supreme Court directives," said Ramapati Kumar, Greenpeace
Campaigner.
GPCB has clearly ignored the Supreme Court order on Hazardous
Waste Management Rules (Amendment, 2003) which clearly direct that
the 'SPCBs (state pollution control board) should ensure that the
ship should be properly decontaminated by the ship owner before
breaking'. The same order also reiterates the ban on import of 29
items including Waste Asbestos (Dust and Fibers) following the
Government of India ban on import of asbestos waste in 1998.
"When broken with hammer and chisel by an unprotected worker, as
is the present practice in the Indian ship-breaking yards, asbestos
breaks into fine dust and fibre, that is responsible for the deadly
disease 'asbestosis' amongst the
workers. Now that the cat is out of the bag, GMB should initiate
a health study amongst the workers to understand the extent of
damage to human health caused by toxic substances," said Martin
Beseiux of Greenpeace Belgium from on board Rainbow Warrior.
Rainbow Warrior has completed over a fortnight's toxic
patrolling of the high seas near Alang and will sail for Mumbai
soon to participate in the 19th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas
disaster.
"For us these two weeks were heartening, as we not only exposed
British double standards but also managed to get GPCB to inspect
and acknowledge for the first time that the ship for scrap have
hazardous waste inherent in its structure. We hope that the Indian
authorities will ensure that no end-of-life vessels will enter
Alang unless they are free of toxics as required by both
international and national law," said Cosmo Wassenaar, Captain of
the Rainbow Warrior.
Meanwhile at the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO)
annual meeting Greenpeace is urging IMO delegates to strengthen and
improve regulations covering the breaking of end-of-life ships,
such as the US "ghost ships". In 2001 the shipping industry agreed
to voluntary measures on ship recycling. Now the governments that
are party to the IMO are close to adopting a similar set of
voluntary measures. Greenpeace is urging the IMO to instead adopt a
mandatory, global regulatory scheme (in line with the Basel
Convention) - which would require ship owners to ensure that ships
are cleaned of toxic materials before export. Greenpeace's demands
are being backed by ship-breakers in India and the authorities
in
India, Bangladesh and Turkey (1).
Notes:
1 a) The Iron Steel Scrap and Shipbreakers Association of India
have made a strong appeal to the IMO parties for a mandatory regime
on shipbreaking. (Nov. 12, 2003): for a copy of their letter to the
IMO please contact the Greenpeace
press office.
b) In Bangladesh the State Minister of Environment and Forest,
Mr. Jafrul Chowdhury, told Greenpeace recently that "ship owners
need to decontaminate their end-of-life-ships before they are
exported ". In addition the State Minister called on the IMO to
follow the guidance provided by the Basel Convention that
end-of-life-ships need to be regarded as waste.
For more details contact : Namrata Chowdhary, Media Officer,
Greenpeace India
- Tel - 022 31520697/ (0)9810850092
- email- 