What is marine pollution and how is the ICGS Samudra Pratap equipped to handle it?

Marine pollution is the harmful introduction of substances or energy into the marine environment by humans. The ICGS Samudra Pratap is equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, dedicated response boats, and modern firefighting capabilities.

What are the primary sources of marine pollution, and what are their implications for India?

Land-based activities, such as untreated sewage and agricultural waste, account for approximately 80% of marine pollution. This poses significant ecological, economic, and human security risks to India, with its extensive coastline and large population dependent on the sea.

How does marine pollution impact marine ecosystems and human health?

Marine pollution leads to biodiversity loss, harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, and disrupts vital plankton populations. It also contaminates seafood with toxins, posing serious risks to human health, including cardiovascular disease and developmental issues.

Home / Environment / India's Coast Guard Deploys New Ship to Tackle Ocean Pollution

India's Coast Guard Deploys New Ship to Tackle Ocean Pollution

27 Jan

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Summary

New ICGS Samudra Pratap is equipped for pollution control.
Marine pollution threatens India's 11,098 km coastline.
Land-based activities cause 80% of marine pollution globally.

India's Coast Guard Deploys New Ship to Tackle Ocean Pollution

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) 'Samudra Pratap' on January 5, 2026, in Goa. This vessel is specifically designed to enhance India's environmental response, particularly for pollution control. It features advanced detection systems, dedicated response boats, and firefighting equipment, underscoring the seriousness of marine pollution as a global issue.

Marine pollution, defined as human introduction of harmful substances into the sea, poses a significant threat. Land-based sources, including untreated sewage and agricultural waste, contribute approximately 80% of this pollution, leading to eutrophication and dead zones. Plastic waste and microplastics are also major contributors, often accumulating in vast garbage patches.

Sea-based pollution stems from shipping activities, oil spills, and extractive operations. These impacts are severe, causing biodiversity loss, harming marine mammals through entanglement and ingestion, and disrupting plankton populations vital for climate regulation. Mangroves and seagrasses are also degraded, increasing coastal vulnerability.