Does India have laws against invasive species from ballast water?

Sub: Env

Sec: Pollution

Context:

The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has requested ₹160 crore from Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, for the removal of invasive charru mussels (Mytella strigata) from the coast. These mussels harm marine ecosystems and disrupt fishing activities. The WRD claims Kamarajar Port is responsible for the spread of the mussels by not regulating ballast water discharge from ships.

What is Ballast Water?

Ships need to have a certain level of immersion into the sea to be stable. When a ship discharges cargo, it rises up in the water and therefore, to keep a minimum level of immersion, ship staff take in sea water called ballast water inside tanks in the ship.
And when the ship loads cargo, leading to more immersion, the ballast water is pumped out of the ship.
Until recently, there was no bar on taking in and pumping out of ballast water at ports, in the ocean, along the coast and so on.
Since ballast water carries invasive species into other countries that destroy ecosystems, global shipping has sought to regulate ballast water discharge.

The Severity of the Problem:

Nearly 30 invasive species have been recorded in India from ship ballast water. The charru mussel, in particular, has taken over habitats in places like Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu and Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala due to its high survival and reproduction rates.

Global Regulations on Ballast Water:

The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into effect in 2017, requiring ships to manage ballast water to remove or neutralize aquatic organisms before discharge.
Newly built ships use chemical treatments to ensure no organisms are present in the ballast water.
Older ships exchange ballast water in the ocean to mitigate risks.

India’s Position on Ballast Water Management:

Despite 97 countries signing the BWM Convention, India has not joined, leaving ballast water discharge in Indian ports unregulated.
There is a need for India to sign the convention to hold vessel owners accountable for ecological damage caused by ballast water discharge.

Source: TH