GEC Alang Report (Contents pages)

Ecological Restorationand Planning forAlang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard,Gujarat

GERI Campus, Race Course Road, Vadodara 390 007, India.

Volume IIntegrated Report

Ecological Restorationand Planning forAlang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard,Gujarat

For :

GERI Campus, Race Course Road, Vadodara 390 007, India.

Volume IIntegrated Report

Sponsored by :

Ahmedabad

Prepared by :

Vadodara

Ecological Restoration and Planning forAlang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

PROJECT TEAM

Senior AdvisorsProf. S.S. MerhDr. B.N. DesaiProf. Vidyut JoshiProf. V. SubramanianSh. V. Ramachandran

Working groupsGeo-environment Prof. S.S. Merh, Chairman, Research Advisory Council

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Research, Dehradun.

Vegetation Prof. S.M. Pandya, HeadDept. of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

(Phytosociology) Dr. Diwakar Sharma, EcologistGujarat Ecological Society, Vadodara.

Physico-chemical studies Prof. S.J. Pathak, ReaderDept. of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

(Heavy metals) Dr. Dilip K. Datta, Associate EcologistGujarat Ecological Society, Vadodara.

Microbiology Dr. (Mrs.) Anjana Desai, ReaderDr. Pranav Vyas, Lecturer,Dept. of Microbiology & Biotechnology, MSU, Vadodara.

(Pathogens) Dr. J.M. Trivedi, Lecturer,Sir P.P. Inst. of Science, Bhavnagar Univ., Bhavnagar.

Benthic fauna Shri Anil Soni, Consultant.(Macroinvertebrates) Shri A.D. Dholakia, Research Scientist

Fisheries Research Stn., GAU, Sikka, Jamnagar.

(Foraminifera) Shri S. Majumdar, Consultant, Calcutta.

Offshore hydrobiology Shri N.K. Mehta, LeaderConsultant group, Vadodara.

Socio-economic studies Prof. K.K. Khakhar, Head,Dept. of Economics, Saurashtra University, Rajkot.Prof. Vidyut Joshi, Vice-Chancellor, Bhavnagar University.

(Health & hygiene) Red Cross Society, Bhavnagar.

Communication package Prof. Vidyut Joshi, Vice-Chancellor, Bhavnagar University.

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Coordinator Prof. N.D. Chhaya

Analysis & integration Shri Hasmukh ShahDr. S. BandyopadhyayDr. Dilip K. DattaDr. A.M. DixitShri P.K. ChopraDr. Diwakar SharmaShri Jayendra J. Lakhmapurkar

.............................................................................................................................................

Gujarat Ecological Society16, Tana Apartment, Ellorapark,Subhanpura Road, Vadodara - 390 007Ph. 383341, 383329, Fax. 340036

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FOREWORD

There are only a few places in the world whereship-breaking activity of old vessels is beingundertaken and the material thus obtained is beingdisposed off as scrap for reprocessing. Alang-Sosiya Ship-breaking yard in Gujarat is one ofthem. It is a unique place, perhaps the largest yardof its kind in the world for this type of operation.This is because the tidal regime here is one of thehighest in the world and hence at the spring tide,ships of any size could be towed up to a highestpoint along the shore. After the tide recedes, theship virtually remains on the land for nearly twoweeks until the next spring tide comes. Duringthis period, intensive ship-breaking activity iscarried out. The magnitude of operation in the yardis so large that it has taken the shape of an industryof its kind with a sizable population dependantfor its livelihood on this activity. The entireoperation generates substantial revenue to GujaratState. Colonies of the human settlement havedeveloped in the vicinity of the yard with theirassociated economic and health side effects.

While the activity in itself is important because itmust be carried out at some suitable place nearthe sea, its short-term and long-term consequenceson the ecology of the sea-shore, on itsphysiography, geomorphology, environmentalfeatures, fauna and flora, surrounding vegetationetc., must be studied and understood. Moreoverthere is further scope of socioeconomic study withits related features such as demography, land-use,living condition of workers, industrial safety andhealth and hygiene.

Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), Vadodara,asked the Gujarat Ecological Society - an NGO -to carry out an intensive study on "Ecologicalrestoration and planing for this ship-breakingyard". The project was sponsored by the GujaratMaritime Board, Ahmedabad.

The project team was identified, which included 5senior advisors - all of them well known in theirfields of specialization - and 9 working groups ongeoenvironment, vegetation, physio-chemicalstudies, microbiology, benthic fauna, offshorehydrography, socio-economic studies,communication package and coordination. An

analysis and integration team was also involvedand this consisted of Shri Hasmukh Shah,Chairman, GEC, with 5 other members.

With such a composition of the team, the studycovered practically every aspect which includedregional setup of the study area, history anddevelopment of ship-breaking activity,geoenviromental features, vegetation, intertidalecology, offshore hydrobiology, heavy metalpollution, socio-economic study of the peopleinvolved, environmental management plan etc.

The Gujarat Ecological Society has fulfilled its taskadmirably and has finalised an integrated report(Volume 1). Before bringing it in its present form,the contents of the report were presented anddiscussed in a workshop held at Vadodara. Thereport is intended to be used and implemented bythe Gujarat Maritime Board. It is supported at theend by a bibliography and relevant annexes.

With the background noted above, I am pleased togive my admiration to the report, which I havegone through with interest. In my entire scientificcareer now lasting for more than 40 years, I haveseldom came across an administrator developingsuch a keen interest in science and particularly inshore ecology and environment. Mr. HasmukhShah is truly an exception. In the discussions Ihave found him extremely knowledgeable ondifferent aspects of ecology and biological features.His deep interest in this study and his pleasantpersuasion have prompted so many well-knownscientists from different disciplines to take part inthe investigations and in the formulation of thereport.

In my opinion, the report is exhaustive and one ofits kind to give an account of different aspects ofecological restoration of the ship-breaking yard.It will undoubtedly serve as a model to carry outsimilar studies elsewhere in any other part of theworld. The report is well written. It is easy to readand understand. I am sure, in addition to fullyserving the purpose for which it is intended, it willstimulate other institutions and agencies to producesimilar exhaustive studies so essential for theprotection and conservation of differentcomponents of our country's environment.

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New Delhi S.Z. QasimDecember, 1997 Ph.D., D.Sc.(Wales),

F.N.A. Sc., F.A.Sc., F.N.A.Former Member,Planning CommissionGovt. of India.

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PREFACE

An ecological study aimed at the development ofa restoration and management plan is distinctivein many ways. It takes into account all aspects ofnatural and social sciences, emphasises inter-relationships among different critical factors andstrives to develop an understanding of what itmeans to the complex web of living systems ofwhich human beings form an integral part.

While a sectoral approach would lead to the studyof water quality, air quality, soil quality etc. andtheir direct bearing on human beings (sanctifiedthrough the use of prescribed standards), a holisticapproach would rather adopt a systems studyemphasising the processes, functions and salientfeatures. Water, air, land and their associated livingbeings are, therefore, studied as integral parts ofdifferent ecosystems which, in turn, have a certainrelativity with their adjacent ecosystems.Admittedly, this is an uphill task but what emergesfrom such efforts is a much clearer perception ofthe changes taking place within a system - itsnature, pace and degree of freedom for humaninterventions.

The present assignment was a unique challengeto us. There were no models available since ship-breaking is an activity which is in the last twodecades mostly confined to the developing worldwhere little concern or capacity exists forconducting such studies. Secondly, little is knownabout the ecological conditions of the Alang-Sosiyaship-breaking yard (ASSBY) except that itexperiences one of the highest tidal regimes of theworld, thanks to its being located at the mouth ofthe Gulf of Khambhat. Finally, the sheer scale ofactivities, its contribution to the State exchequerand the peculiar socio-economic conditions of thepeople associated with this industry provide acomplexity that will have a serious bearing on anymanagement plan that may be sought to beimplemented.

The design of this study, therefore, is also quiteunique. Initially, a macrolevel understanding issought by exploring the regional setup in terms ofgeology, climate, physiography, oceanographicfeatures etc. - factors which manifest at this scaleand determines the large-scale vegetation structure.

Logically, therefore, a detailed survey of thevegetation - its diversity of species, distributionand status - provides the baseline ecologicalscenario of the region. Thereafter, a series ofdetailed micro-level studies were undertaken todetermine the impact of ship-breaking activitieson the onshore ecosystem, intertidal zone andoffshore region.

In the aquatic system, emphasis has been laid onthe benthic forms, the sedentary nature of whichmake them particularly vulnerable to anyperturbation in their environment. Apart from themacro forms, an ubiquitous group of shelledprotozoa - the foraminifera - has also been studied.These are quick to respond to environmentalchanges because of their small size, prolificreproduction and adaptation to a wide range ofhabitats and, therefore, may provide a useful toolfor future biomonitoring of the region.

A particularly critical issue of heavy metalpollution has been examined in detail. Also, asuccessful effort has been made to identify microbesthat may have the potential for degradation of oiland hydrocarbons.

However, it must be realised that only a beginninghas been made, a baseline information created andopinion generated in different quarters. Theseefforts need to be sustained, strengthened and re-oriented as one goes along. The proposedmanagement plan, therefore, is a blue print for afirst order intervention which also provides acommunication package for generating awarenessamong different sections of people associated withthe acitivity, develop an understanding of the stakesinvolved and provide a participatory mechanismfor the successful restoration of ASSBY through aplan, managed largely by the stakeholders andpeople themselves.

(Hasmukh Shah)Place: VadodaraDate: October, 1997

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Shipbreaking activity is confined only to a fewlocations in the world. While it started in US andUK after the Second World War, issues related toenvironmental pollution, increase in wages andincreased availability of steel scrap at competitiveprices, shifted the activity to relatively lessindustrialised countries such as Spain, Italy andTurkey. Since the late eighties, Asian countriesemerged as major shipbreaking countries in theworld. Currently, India, Bangladesh, China andPakistan share 92% of the total tonnage broken.Among these, India ranks top with about 33% ofthe total tonnage broken followed by Bangladesh(29%), Pakistan (20%) and China (9%).

In India, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is theoverall custodian for the world's largest ship-breaking yard located at Alang. Alang is about21º 24' N and 72º 12' E in Talaja block, along theWestern side of gulf of Khambhat, at a distance ofabout 50 Km from Bhavnagar, the districtheadquarters. Alang-Sosiya Shipbreaking Yard(ASSBY) experiences semi-arid to subhumidtropical climate with precipitation about 570 mmand average 32 rainy days a year. The meanmaximum temperature during summer is about40ºC and mean minimum temperature duringwinter is around 12ºC. The site falls in distincthigh tidal amplitude zone (highest high tide-12m), has silt free beach condition, and the seabeddries up very quickly during the ebb period. Thesecharacteristics along with availability of cheaplabour and ready market have made Alang a highlysuitable site for shipbreaking.

The ASSBY comprises of 183 plots of differentsizes. The first ship was beached at Alang onFebruary, 13, 1983. In 1996-97 a total of 280 shipswere beached and 25.94 lakh light displacementtonnage (LDT) was broken. Almost 70% of totalvessels and 90% of the total LDT broken during1995 at ASSBY were of three major types, viz.,Tankers, Cargo Carriers and Bulk Carriers.

The total ship-breaking activities encompassoffshore, littoral, and on-shore zones. The offshoreprocessing starts with the arrival of a ship at Alanganchorage, when personnel from customsdepartment, agents, marine surveyors and thebuyer inspect the vessel. The major shipbreaking

processes are accomplished at the littoral zone.These mainly include the removal of super-structures and cutting of the ship's hull, engineand the propeller. After the removal of electricaland other miscellaneous items, the vessel is cutvertically by oxygen-LPG torches into big blocks.These blocks of about 10 tonnes drop onto thebeach. The dismantled pieces are pulled on to theshore with the help of winches during the low tide.Activities in the on-shore zone mainly compriseof cutting the big blocks into smaller transportablepieces, and transferring these smaller blocks to thedesired destination.

The ASSBY has reinforced growth of downstreamindustries like re-rolling, oxygen-manufacturingand LPG bottling plants within Alang-Bhavnagar-Sihor triangle

However, the nature of operation itself has its ownecological hazards. The compaction andcontamination of sediments in the littoral zone,the dispersal of pollutants and other material thatis released during shipbreaking process (such aspetroleum hydrocarbons, solid wastes, heavymetals and other toxic materials) in the off-shoreand intertidal zones, the bio-accumulation and bio-magnification of pollutants in the tissue of marinebiota, the unplanned development of infrastructure,and concentration of human population on thefragile on-shore zones are some of the area ofconcern. These are serious issues and are nowviewed with concern at all levels since theseprocesses, although slow, may damage theecosystems irreversibly.

This ecological study, aimed at the developmentof a restoration and management plan for ASSBYarea, has been carried out by the Gujarat EcologicalSociety (GES) under the aegis of Gujarat EcologyCommission (GEC) at the instance of GMB.GMB's enlightened approach to offer ASSBY forscrutiny is a rare phenomenon among any sectorof polluting activity - industrial or otherwise. Aholistic approach was adopted to analyseshipbreaking activities from ecological point ofview. Environment experts from all over India wereconsulted for designing the study as well as forpreparation of the management plan. Initially amacrolevel understanding was sought by exploringthe regional set-up in terms of geology, climate,physiography etc. Thereafter, a series of detailed

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microlevel studies were undertaken bymultidisciplinary teams to determine the impactof shipbreaking activities on the onshore, intertidaland offshore regions. Three rounds of samples werecollected from the offshore region covering post-monsoon, winter and pre-monsoon seasons, whileecological data from the onshore and intertidalregions was collected for about nine months (i.e.,excluding the monsoon period). The data collectedwas grouped as: N-Control i.e., 15 km north ofASSBY; N-ASSBY i.e., Sosiya; M-ASSBY i.e.,middle ASSBY; S-ASSBY i.e., south ASSBY; and,S-Control i.e., 25 km south of ASSBY.

REGIONAL SET-UP

The gulf of Khambhat is located at the broadestpart of the continental shelf. In the westernseaboard of the country. Geoclimatically theASSBY is a water scarce region. Shetrunji is theonly major river that meets the Gulf on the eastcoast of Saurashtra and is about 10 km towardsthe south of ASSBY. Manar and Jaspara are twoseasonal rivers that meet the gulf through theASSBY. Stratigraphically, Tertiary Gaj formationsdominate which contain saline ground waterthough, Deccan Traps do form isolated pockets ofsweet water aquifers with limited potential. Highsuspended sediments in the gulf are largelyattributed to inflow of the rivers into the Gulf. Hightidal amplitude and funnelling action makes tidalwater to migrate across the gulf. Flushing actiontake place on mouth of the gulf during ebb tides,releasing sediments into the Arabian Sea.

The area is covered by dry deciduous vegetationthat is largely overexploited. A total of 433 speciesof wild and cultivated plants, including 365 dicotsand 68 monocots, were recorded from the fourblocks of the study area viz., I-Alang-Sosiya, II-Mithivirdi, III-Gopnath-Saltanpar and, IV-Bhandaria-Talaja belt. Of these 136 species (111dicots and 25 monocots) were common in all thefour blocks. The cultivated plant speciescontributed about 58% of the total plant species inblock I, II and III, which increase to 78% in blockIV, indicating a pressure on natural vegetation inblock IV. A fairly high number (109) of exoticspecies were recorded. Avicennia marina, was theonly mangrove species observed in blocks II andIII, with poor population density.

OFFSHORE

HYDROBIOLOGICAL FEATURES

The spatial and seasonal variations of thetemperature, pH and salinity of the offshore waterwere not significant. Total suspended matter(TSM) for the surface waters ranged from 14.6-2995 mg/l while that of bottom waters varied from43.2-4010 mg/l. The dissolved oxygen (DO) variedfrom 5.3 to 7.85 mg/l between seasons and sitesbut the difference between sites was not significant.BOD was highest in post-monsoon season at theoffshore sites of ASSBY (6.6 mg/l), suggestingloading through increase surface runoff. There wassignificant variation between pre-monsoon andpost-monsoon nitrogen and phosphorus at anygiven site. However, between control sites andASSBY sites variation was insignificant.

Higher concentration of chlorophyll a was recordedduring the post-monsoon period (1.07 - 2.67 µg/l)compared to the winter (0.5 - 0.8 µg/l) and pre-monsoon (0.5 - 1.7 µg/l). Similarly, phytoplanktonwas highest during the post-monsoon (11,500 -164,800 /l) and much lower during the winter andpre-monsoon periods (3,200 - 19,600 /l). Therewas also a distinct shift in the dominance of majorgroups of phytoplankton over the different seasons.Phaeophytin concentration was usually low (< 2µg/l) in the offshore waters. However, there was adistinct increase in the phaeophytin level (2.5 -5.25 µg/l) during the winter season. There was nosignificant variation between the control sites andthe sites within ASSBY.

A maximum of 13 zooplankton groups wererecorded during winters, which reduced to 7 duringthe pre-monsoons. The population of zooplanktonwas high in winter (603 - 4,620/ml) and pre-monsoon (208 - 19,70/ml) seasons. There was alsoa definite increase in the zooplankton biomass fromwinter (0.31 - 1.74 ml/100m3) to pre-monsoon(1.32 - 3.55 ml/100m3), possibly due to thedominance of salps and fish larvae.

A total of 48 species of recent benthic foraminiferabelonging to 25 genera under 13 family wereidentified. The N-Control transect was the mosthealthy. The size reduction of certain forams likeAmmonia spp. indicates ecological degradation ofthe region

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HEAVY METAL POLLUTION

Heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu andCr) were estimated both from water (dissolved)and sediments of intertidal, and from offshorezones (both suspended and bottom sediments).Higher concentration of Fe and Mn were recordedfrom waters of the ASSBY areas as compared tothe control sites.

Similarly, all the measured heavy metals recordedrelatively higher concentration in the sedimentsat ASSBY compared to the control sites. This isparticularly high at the coastline of M-ASSBY.However, the Igeo values show that, the sedimentquality lies between unpolluted to moderatelypolluted category with respect to Fe, Mn and Cu.The sediments are not polluted with respect to Zn,Pb and Ni concentration.

It may be noted that since the sediments in andaround Alang have the potential to trap a largequantity of heavy metals, they are still mostlyunpolluted. However, the sediments may showhigher pollution if kept unmonitored for a longtime.

INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY

The study indicate minor spatial and seasonalvariations in salinity, pH and DO, dissolvedphosphorus and nitrogen. However, BOD, CODand oil-PHC were higher in ASSBY regioncompared to the control sites, suggesting highload of organic matter in the littoral zone.

Population and biomass of macrobenthos on softsubstrates was higher at N-Control and S-Controlsites compared to ASSBY areas. The groupdiversity varied among groups (Molluscs,Polychaetes, Crustaceans and Others) and amongdifferent (upper, middle and lower) zones. Speciesdiversity was highest (1.8) in the upper intertidalzone at S-Control and minimum (0.1) in the lowerintertidal zone at N-ASSBY. N-Control wasrelatively similar (Sorenson's Index) to N-ASSBY(67%) and S-ASSBY (64%).

A total of 23 macrobenthic species on rockysubstrates were recorded of which maximumspecies (16), population and biomass was recorded

at S-Control. The species composition of N-ASSBY was similar to S-ASSBY (71%).

The bacterial population from S-ASSBY was moresalt tolerant as the viable count on different mediawas highest (18) for this site. Similarly bacteria ofdifferent physiological types (Agarolytic,Chitinolytic and Cellulolytic) was highest (0.67,56.3 and 36 respectively for the three types) at thissite. The maximum capacity (76%) to degradePHC-oil was also observed from a culture obtainedfrom this site.

ON SHORE

VEGETATION

Phytosociology study was undertaken through plotsampling in four localities along the coastline,which were stratified based on the distance fromASSBY. Three tree species viz. Acacia leucophloeaand Azardiracta indica at N-Control, andAvicennia marina were recorded at Ghogha. Outof the six shrub species recorded, half (Calotropis,Prosopis juliflora and Zizyphus nummularia) wereof medium to large size. The density of mediumto large shrubs ranged from 31.8 to 764.3individuals (or bunch) per hectare. It wasmaximum at S-ASSBY and N-ASSBY andminimum at N-Control. Desmosatchya bipinnatawas the most dominating grass both in terms offrequency and cover, followed by Cenchrus ciliaris.The vegetation of N-ASSBY was 69% similar(Ellenberg's index) to S-ASSBY and 63% to N-Control site. These studies indicate that thevariation in species composition and abundancedoes not have any correlation with ASSBYactivities. Instead, it is the variation in substratum,type of shore and activities of villagers that havecaused differences in the species composition andabundance at the three sites.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Socioeconomic conditions of the workers atASSBY and the economic impacts of ship-breaking industry on the neighbourhood villageswere examined by the social scientists throughsurveys, organisation of medical camp andempirical observations. Of the total established

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30,000 workforce of ASSBY, 94.5% belongs topoor farmer families of three states viz., UP, Orissaand Bihar. They are literate people (literacy 76%)and in search of better emplyoment opportunitieshave migrated to this area without their families.Although, 40% of the workers are staying atASSBY site for more than six years, an averageworker has strong family ties and visits his nativeplace at least once a year. A large percentage ofworkers (90%) earn more than Rs. 2,000 per monthand have a tendency to save (average annual saving-Rs. 10,000) to assist the large families in theirnative place. An average worker does not stint onfood and generally manages to remain physicallyfit. He seems to shun all luxuries and lives in sub-human conditions. Most of the workers have anaverage of about 3 sq. m space per person andhuddle together in small huts which have neitherany ventilation and electric lights nor proper toiletfacilities. Poor hygienic and cramped livingconditions of workers was also revealed at themedical camp where high presence of both MB(infectious) and PB (non infectious) types ofleprosy cases were observed. As far as safetystandards are concerned negligible attentions ispaid either by workers or by plot management.

The establishment of ASSBY apparently has noreference to the development of the area economyand looks as a graft over the region. Neverthelessgrowth of ASSBY has exerted positive impact onnearby villages in terms of employment generationbringing about almost full emplyoment in itsneighbourhood. Land use pattern of the nearbyvillages is also changing as some of the agriculturalland parcels, particularly those adjacent to road ormore favourably exposed to the site of ASSBY,are being brought under non agriculture uses andas a result the land price in some of the nearbyvillages has appreciated significantly.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTPLAN

As is obvious from the data, the levels of pollutantsdo not exhibit any drastic change spatially andtemporally. However, it is noted that the levels ofsome pollutants are higher in the ASSBY regionas compared to the control sites. Therefore, in orderto prevent further building up of pollutants in thecoastal waters and sediments, which might

ultimately damage the living organisms and impairvital ecological functions, a management plan forASSBY is proposed with overall objectives tomaintain (or restore) the conditions of the marineecosystem, ensure sustained economicdevelopment and provide healthy livingconditions. The major recommendations are asfollows:

MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINEECOSYSTEM

1. Check the high loading of organic matterin the coastal water by the development ofproper sanitation facilities, provision forappropriate sewerage system and treatmentmechanism.

2. Control the high levels of Oil and PHC byminimising spills. The entire system of off-loading of oil should be reviewed by GMBand suitable measures may be adopted foreliminating spillage at any stage. GMBshould provide for surprise inspection ofthe plots to check any spillage of oil.

3. Installation and management of commonincineration facility for the proper disposalof non-recoverable residue by GMB. Thetask of monitoring the intertidal area foroil-PHC may be entrusted to an independentagency like Bhavnagar University orCSMCRI.

4. Control of heavy metal pollution beexperimented with a system of dry-docking(after a detailed technical feasibility study)in which a plot will have walls on two sidesand a lock-gate opening into the sea. Thebase could be covered by a tough syntheticmaterial and the entire space cleaned beforeanother ship is allowed in. In any casedisturbance to sediments should be kept tothe bare minimum and no dredging shouldbe carried out.

5. Creation of dumps for solid waste by GMBat regular distance behind the plots andarrange for segregation and disposal of suchmaterials.

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6. Protect and conserve biodiversity in andaround ASSBY. Monitoring task may beassigned to Bhavnagar University, forwhich, if necessary, its laboratory and otherinfrastructure may be augmented/upgraded

7. Avoid introduction of alien species bydeclaring, clinically examining and puttingunder appropriate quarantine measures, anylife form that is brought by these ships. Acertificate to this effect may be obtainedfrom the seller of the ship.

MEASURES FOR UPGRADATION OFACTIVITIES

8. Development of backyards contiguous totheir current plots, but on the onshore zoneso that second and third order of cutting,removal of paint, and storage of materialand equipment etc. can be performed there.This will minimise the entry of wastegenerated into the sea.

9. Modernise and mechanise the operations,enhance the skills end efficiency of the workforce by training so as to take additionalload of shipbreaking done by maintainingthe work force at the current level.

MEASURES FOR IMPROVING HUMANHABITATION

10. Early development of a clean and hygienicresidential accommodation beyond themain road and not close to the ShipbreakingYard by GMB. This will require about 50ha of total land and about Rs. 103 crores offund.

11. As regards housing, locations may beselected north of CRZ zone. If there are anyinsurmountable problems in acquiring landthere, marginal adjustments may be madein CRZ line

12. Management of township by shipbreakersin small clusters depending on workforceof each plot. GMB's personnel, however,should inspect and supervise sanitation,

conservancy and general upkeep of houses.

13. Undertake measures to meet the totaldrinking water requirement of 8.9 Mm3 asgiven in the additional report. The costestimate for this task is around Rs. 50.3crores.

14. Create a green belt of indigenous specieswith the help of the forest Dept of StateGovernment in the area, between the plotsand workers' residential quarters, which isnot put to agricultural use.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

15. Periodic checks for heavy metals and othernon-biodegradable organics (such as PCBs)in the different tissues (particularly liver,brain and muscles) of fishes (such asbombay duck, hilsa) and crustaceans(shrimps, lobsters) be carried out at regularintervals to monitor ecosystem health andits potential effects on human health.

16. Entrust the regular monitoring of physico-chemical and biological parameters toindependent agencies such as CSMCRI,Bhavnagar University, NIO.

ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT

17. Declaration of ASSBY as notified area,called Alang Area Development Authority(ADA), by the Government of Gujarat. Itshould be properly governed by a cross-sectoral implementing agency. A separategoal-oriented Division/Cell (say AlangEnvironment Management Cell) dedicatedto the implementation and monitoring ofthe management plan may be createdwithin the ADA. This Cell should beconstituted with its own functional sectionsfor the planning, implementation,monitoring and co-ordination of the variousactivities proposed to be taken up. Theproposed cell will facilitate appropriate co-ordination and integration within andoutside the GMB working system.

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18. Issuing of permit by GMB to only thoseships with necessary environmentalclearance in terms of hazardous and toxicchemicals, exotic species, etc.

19. Continuous environmental monitoring byan independent agency, like NIO,CSMCRI, Bhavnagar Univ. and NEERI,and report to GMB for necessary action.

20. Provision of infrastructure to shipbreakersby GMB, in both intertidal and onshoreregions to increase the working efficiencyand to control the pollution load (oils, heavymetals and solid wastes).

21. Cutting of the hull by shipbreakers intolarge blocks and carry those blocks tobackyards for further action to avoidprolonged activities in the fragile intertidalzone. They should immediately collect allthe combustible material and incineratethose to minimise the chances of pollutionspread in onshore, intertidal and finallyoffshore regions.

AWARENESS PROGRAMME

22. There are basically four interest groupsdirectly involved in shipbreaking activity,viz. Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), theshipbreakers-plot owners, the workers orlabourers and the villagers in ASSBY area.Depending upon their concern, interest andlevel of knowledge about sustainabledevelopment, different awareness packagesfor these four groups are proposed.

GMB may constitute a working group consistingof representatives of GMB, shipbreakers andexperts in the field to examine the suggestionsmade here to decide on long term planning forshipbreaking industry at Alang.

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LIST OF TABLES

No. Title P N

1.1 Overall summary of gross tonnage broken by major ship-breaking 2countries (1990-1995)

1.2 Percentage share in the world total 21.3 Gross tonnage broken in World and in India during 1975-1995 33.1 LDT broken at ASSBY since its inception 153.2 Type of Ships broken at ASSBY during 1995 153.3 Global availability of ships and tonnage for breaking by ship type 163.4 Costing (based on thumb-rules) per LDT at ASSBY 164.1 Stratigraphy of the Bhavnagar-Ghogha coastal segment 244.2 Tertiary-Quaternary stratigraphic sequence around Gopnath-Methla area 214.3 Stratigraphic sequences N-E of Gopnath coastal segment 254.4 Hydrogeological conditions in the coastal segments 264.5 Chemical quality of ground water 274.6 Characteristics of the stream longitudinal profiles 314.7 Statistical parameters of beach sands 324.8 Time differences for peak tides with reference to high tide at Bhavnagar Jetty 364.9 Seasonal wave height at different location along the coast 384.10 Clay mineralogical percentages in suspended sediment 405.1 The flora of Alang-Sosiya complex and its surrounding 455.2 Dominant floral families in the four blocks 465.3 Habitwise distribution of wild and cultivated (cult.) plant species in the four blocks 475.4 Cultivated crops in the Alang-Sosiya complex and its surroundings 485.5 Site characteristics of Alang-Sosiya complex and its surroundings 515.6 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of large shrubs species 525.7 Absolute density/ha (AD) and Relative density (RD in %) of large shrubs species 525.8 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of small shrubs species 545.9 Absolute cover (AC) and Relative cover (RC) of small shrubs species 545.10 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of grass species 565.11 Absolute cover (AC) and Relative cover (RC) of grass species 565.12 Similarity of vegetation between different sites 576.1 Average Intertidal macrobenthic population (no/sq m) for self abstracts 676.2 Similarity index of macrobenthos in soft substratum 716.3 Species abundance of rocky intertidal macrofauna at sampling site 726.4 Population of macrobenthos in intertidal zone with rocky substratum 736.5 Similarity index of macrobenthos in rocky substratum 746.6 Enumeration of bacteria of different physiological types 77

from the soil samples near Alang6.7 Identification of isolate 2 from the soil sediment of M-ASSBY 787.1 Temperature (ºC) variation of offshore water 847.2 pH variation in offshore water 847.3 Salinity (ppt) variation in offshore water 847.4 Suspended Solids (mg/l) in offshore water 857.5 DO in offshore water 867.6 Variation in Phytoplankton at different stations at Alang 867.7 Variation in Zooplankton at different stations at Alang 977.8 Fish landing data (kg/yr) at the neighbourhood of ASSBY 988.1 Distribution of major dissolved heavy metals in the intertidal zone 1008.2 Distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of intertidal zone 101

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No. Title P N

8.3 Distribution of Fe (µg/g) in the sediments 1038.4 Distribution of Mn (µg/g) in the sediments 1038.5 Distribution of Zn (µg/g) in sediments 1038.6 Distribution of Cu (µg/g) in sediments 1038.7 Distribution of Pb (µg/g) in sediments 1038.8 Distribution of Ni (µg/g) in sediments 1048.9 Concentration of metals (µg/g) in standard shales 1048.10 Correlation coefficient matrix for bottom sediments 1078.11 Correlation coefficient matrix for suspended sediments 1078.12 Metal ratio for Fe and Mn relative to standard shale 1098.13 Metal ratio for Zn and Cu relative to standard shale 1098.14 Metal ratio for Pb and Ni relative to standard shale 1098.15 Igeo class with respect to sediment quality (Müller 1979) 1108.16 Igeo values for Fe and Mn at Alang 1118.17 Igeo values for Zn and Cu at Alang 1118.18 Igeo values for Pb and Ni at Alang 1119.1 Proximity of villages to ASSBY 1149.2 Population change in the neighbouring villages of ASSBY 1169.3 Distribution of workers in neighbouring villages of ASSBY 1179.4 Workers of neighbouring villages employed in service sector of ASSBY 1189.5 Number of households engaged in ASSBY related activities 1189.6 Change in land prices in neighbouring villages of ASSBY 1199.7 Category of workers involved in ship breaking activity 1209.8 Statewise Distribution of workers 1219.9 Worker's occupation at their native places 1219.10 Demography of workers' families at their native places 1229.11 Workers family house types at their native places 1229.12 House ownership of workers at their native places 1229.13 Agewise distribution of workers 1239.14 Marital status of workers 1239.15 Educational levels of workers 1239.16 Annual income of workers 1249.17 Annual savings of workers 1249.18 Monthly expenditure of workers on housing 1259.19 Accommodation types used by workers 1259.20 Average floor space available to a worker in a hut 1279.21 Workers staying with families at Alang 1279.22 Preference of workers for staying with their families in a housing colony at Alang 1279.23 Worker's length of stay at Alang 1289.24 Worker's job status 1289.25 Expenditure of workers on food items 1289.26 Expenditure on refreshment items 1299.27 Pathogens population in the waters of ASSBY 1299.28 Number of leprosy cases among the workers of different states 1309.29 Incidence of Diseases 1319.30 Frequency of Diseases in last one year 1319.31 Accidents occurred to workers 132

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9.32 Weight status of ASSBY workers by age and height 1329.33 Distribution of workers having below normal weight 13210.1 Summary of various parameters of intertidal and offshore areas 13510.2 Contents, periodicity and agencies for monitoring 15010.3 Action plan for environmental management of ASSBY area 151

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LIST OF FIGURES

No. Title P N

1.1. Gross tonnage of ship broken in the world and share of India 32.1 Location map of the study area 102.2 Rainfall in Gujarat 112.3 Location of Gulf vis-a-vis continental shelf 123.1 Numbers and LDT of shipbroken at ASSBY 144.1 Structural set-up of Gulf of Khambhat 224.2 Geology around Alang 234.3 Drainage pattern around Alang 284.4 Coastal landforms around Alang 304.5 Bathymetry of Gulf of Khambhat 354.6 Tidal amplitude in Gulf of Khambhat 394.7 Mineralogy around Gulf of Khambhat 395.1 Comparison of vegetation in ASSBY region between 1985 & 1998 435.2 Categorisation of the study area for vegetation study 445.3 Avicennia marina seedling density at various localities on coast 535.4 Shrub density at various localities on coast. 535.5 Percentage of shrub cover at various localities on coast 555.6 Percentage of grass cover at various localities on coast. 556.1 Salinity variation of water in littoral zone. 616.2 pH variation of water in intertidal zone 616.3 DO variation of water in intertidal zone 616.4 BOD variation of water in intertidal zone 626.5 COD variation of water in intertidal zone 626.6 Oil-PHC variation of water in intertidal zone 626.7 PO4-P variation of water in intertidal zone 636.8 Total N variation of water in intertidal zone 636.9 NH4-N variation of water in intertidal zone 636.10 NO3-N variation of water in intertidal zone 646.11 NO2-N variation of water in intertidal zone 646.12 Population of macrobenthic community 666.13 Biomass of macrobenthic community. 696.14 Species groups in different intertidal zones with different proportions 696.15 Taxa richness of macrobenthic community 706.16 Diversity (Shannon Weiner) index of macrobenthic community 706.17 Total number of species in the intertidal zone 716.18 Population macrobenthic community on rocky substrate 736.19 Biomass of macrobenthic community on rocky substrate 746.20 Viable count of bacteria on different media 766.21 Viable count of the bacteria in unpolluted sea water 766.22 BHC Oil degradation by consortium of micro-organisms 777.1 Variation of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in offshore water 877.2 Variation of NO3-N content in offshore water 887.3 Variation of NO2-N content in offshore water 907.4 Variation of NH4-N content in offshore water 917.5 Variation of PO4-P content in offshore water 927.6 Variation of Oil-PHC content in offshore water 937.7 Variation of Chlorophyll-a content in offshore water 94

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7.8 Variation of Phaeophytin content in offshore water 968.1 Zn concentration in bottom sediments 1058.2 Cu concentration in bottom sediments 1058.3 Pb concentration in bottom sediments 1058.4 Zn concentration in suspended sediments 1068.5 Cu concentration in suspended sediments 1068.6 Pb concentration in suspended sediments 1069.1 Neighbouring villages of ASSBY 11510.1 Integrated environmental cause effect relationship 13810.2 Summary of recommendations for ASSBY 153

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LIST OF PLATES

No. Title P. N.

2.1 IRS image of the Bhavnagar-Gopnath segment, Gulf of Khambhat 93.1 Cranes lifting large iron block 193.2 Large iron blocks being cut into smaller blocks 193.3 A view of Alang-Sosiya shipbreaking yard 205.1 A RS (LANDSAT MSS) view of the region around ASSBY in February 1985 425.2 A RS (IRS LISS III) view of the region around ASSBY in January 1998 425.3 Thickets of Prosopis around ASSBY 497.1 Van Veen type grab sampler 837.2 Narrow mouth sampling bottle for oil 837.3 Heron Trantor net for zooplankton sampling 839.1 Slum dwelling around ASSBY 126

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AAS Atomic Absorption SpectrophotometerAD Absolute DensityADA Alang Area Development AuthorityADB Asian Development BankAF Absolute FrequencyASSBY Alang Sosiya Ship-breaking YardBOD Biological Oxygen DemandCEC Cation Exchange CapacityCMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research InstituteCOD Chemical Oxygen DemandCr. Crore/CroresCRZ Coastal Regulation ZoneCSMCRI Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research InstituteCult. CultivatedDO Dissolved OxygenEAF Electric Arc FurnaceGBH Girth at Breast HeightGIDC Gujarat Industrial Development CorporationGMB Gujarat Maritime BoardGPCB Gujarat Pollution Control BoardICP Inductively Coupled Plasmakm KilometresLDO Light Diesel OilsLDT Light Displacement tonnageLPG Liquefied Petroleum Gasm Metresmeq Milli equivalentMin MinutesMoU Memorandum of UnderstandingMPN Most Probable NumberNGO Non Government OrganisationNIO National Institute of OceanographyONGC Oil and Natural Gas CorporationPCB Polychlorinated BiphenylPHC Petroleum Hydro CarbonRD Relative DensityRF Relative FrequencySPC Standard Plate CountTBT Tri-Butyle TinTSM Total Suspended Matter

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD IIIPREFACE VEXECUTIVE SUMMARY VILIST OF TABLES XIILIST OF FIGURES XVLIST OF PLATES XVIILIST OF ABBREVIATIONS XVIII

1. INTRODUCTION 11.1 Global scenario of ship-breaking 11.2 The Indian perspective 31.3 About this study 51.3.1 Background 51.3.2 Aims and objectives 51.3.3 Approach 51.3.4 Methodology (components and scope) 61.3.5 Chapter scheme 7

2. STUDY AREA 82.1 Location 82.2 Regional setup 82.2.1 Climate 82.2.2 Geological setting 82.2.3 Hydrogeology 82.2.4 Oceanographic features 132.2.5 Vegetation 13

3. ALANG-SOSIYA SHIP-BREAKING YARD (ASSBY) 143.1 Historical perspective 143.2 Present status 143.3 Modus operandi 173.3.1 Products of shipbreaking 17

4. GEOENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES 214.1 Geology 214.1.1 Structural setup 214.1.2 Stratigraphy 214.1.3 Hydrogeology 254.2 Geomorphology 274.2.1 Drainage 274.2.2 Landform 294.2.3 Coastal deposits 324.3 Offshore: The Gulf of Khambhat 344.3.1 Bathymetry 344.3.2 Tides and tidal currents 344.3.3 Waves 384.3.4 Nature of tidal sediments 38

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5. VEGETATION 415.1 Vegetation change detection using RS data 415.2 Floristic composition 415.2.1 Methodology 415.2.2 Floral abundance 455.3 Phytosociology 485.3.1 Sampling 505.3.2 Data collection 505.3.3 Data analysis 505.3.4 Trees 505.3.5 Shrub 505.3.6 Grass 545.3.7 Similarity index 545.4 Conclusion 57

6. INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY 586.1 Methodology 586.1.1 Sampling 596.1.2 Data analysis 596.2 Physico-chemical properties of water 606.2.1 Salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) 606.2.2 BOD, COD and oil-PHC 606.2.3 Dissoved phosphorus and nitrogen 606.3 Physico-chemical properties of sediments 656.3.1 Particulate nitrogen and phosphorus 656.3.2 pH and oil-PHC 656.4 Macrobenthic community 656.4.1 Macrobenthos on soft substrates 656.4.2 Macrobenthos on rocky substrates 716.5 Microbial communities 756.5.1 Methods 756.5.2 Total number of bacteria 756.5.3 Physiological types 756.5.4 Oil related microbes 776.6 Conclusion 78

7. OFFSHORE HYDROBIOLOGICAL FEATURES 807.1 Methodology 807.1.1 Sampling strategy 807.1.2 Field and laboratory techniques 817.2 Physico-chemical features 827.2.1 Temperature, pH and salinity 827.2.2 Total suspended matter (TSM) 857.2.3 DO and BOD 867.2.4 Nitrogen and phosphorus 867.2.5 Oil-PHC 897.3 Biological features 897.3.1 Phytoplankton pigments 897.3.2 Phytoplankton 957.3.3 Zooplankton 977.3.4 Benthos 98

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7.3.5 Fishery 987.4 Impact of ASSBY on the offshore ecosystem 997.5 Conclusion 99

8. HEAVY METAL POLLUTION 1008.1 Intertidal zone 1008.1.1 Methods 1008.1.2 Heavy metal distribution 1008.2 Offshore zone 1018.2.1 Methods 1018.2.2 Nature of sediments 1018.3 Heavy metal concentration in sediments 1028.3.1 Interelemental relationship 1078.3.2 Quantification of heavy metals 1088.4 Conclusion 112

9. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 1139.1 Methodology 1139.2 Neighbouring villages 1169.2.1 Demography 1169.2.2 Amenities and infrastructure 1169.2.3 Employment due to ASSBY 1179.2.4 Land use pattern 1199.3 Profile of workers 1209.3.1 Composition 1209.3.2 Literacy 1239.3.3 Income pattern 1249.3.4 Living conditions 1259.3.5 Victuals 1289.3.6 Health and hygiene 1309.3.7 Industrial safety 133

10. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 13410.1 Need of a management plan 13410.2 Objectives of the management plan 13710.3 Management of the marine ecosystem 13910.3.1 Measures for pollution control 13910.3.2 Protection of biodiversity 14110.4 Measures for upgradation of activities 14210.4.1 Development of backyards 14210.4.2 Mechanisation and improvement of skills 14210.4.3 Safety measures 14310.5 Measures for improving human habitation 14410.5.1 Township development 14410.5.2 Location 14710.5.3 Water demands and supply 14810.5.4 Green belt 14810.6 Monitoring and evaluation 149

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10.6.1 Monitoring of ecosystem health 14910.6.2 Monitoring and regulation of shipbreaking activities 15010.7 Management responsibilities 15010.7.1 Related to shipbreaking activities 15410.7.2 Related to socio-economic conditions 15410.8 Organisation of implementation 15510.9 Awareness programme 15510.9.1 Contents for awareness packages 15510.9.2 Awareness package for GMB officials 15610.9.3 Awareness package for shipbreaking management 15710.9.4 Awareness package for workers 15710.9.5 Other groups 158

BIBLIOGRAPHY 160ANNEXES 166

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GEC Alang Report (Contents pages)

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