Ecological Restoration

and Planning for

Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard,
Gujarat

Volume I
Integrated Report

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

 Ecological Restoration
and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard,
Gujarat

Volume I
Integrated Report

Prepared by :

Vadodara

For :

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

Sponsored by :

Ahmedabad
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

PROJECT TEAM
Senior Advisors
Prof. S.S. Merh
Dr. B.N. Desai
Prof. Vidyut Joshi
Prof. V. Subramanian
Sh. V. Ramachandran

Working groups
Geo-environment Prof. S.S. Merh, Chairman, Research Advisory Council
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Research, Dehradun.

Vegetation Prof. S.M. Pandya, Head

Dept. of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

(Phytosociology) Dr. Diwakar Sharma, Ecologist

Gujarat Ecological Society, Vadodara.

Physico-chemical studies Prof. S.J. Pathak, Reader

Dept. of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

(Heavy metals) Dr. Dilip K. Datta, Associate Ecologist

Gujarat Ecological Society, Vadodara.

Microbiology Dr. (Mrs.) Anjana Desai, Reader

Dr. 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, Leader

Consultant 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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 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

Coordinator Prof. N.D. Chhaya

Analysis & integration Shri Hasmukh Shah

Dr. S. Bandyopadhyay
Dr. Dilip K. Datta
Dr. A.M. Dixit
Shri P.K. Chopra
Dr. Diwakar Sharma
Shri Jayendra J. Lakhmapurkar

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

Gujarat Ecological Society

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

ii
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

FOREWORD analysis and integration team was also involved

and this consisted of Shri Hasmukh Shah,
Chairman, GEC, with 5 other members.
There are only a few places in the world where
With such a composition of the team, the study
ship-breaking activity of old vessels is being
covered practically every aspect which included
undertaken and the material thus obtained is being
regional setup of the study area, history and
disposed off as scrap for reprocessing. Alang-
development of ship-breaking activity,
Sosiya Ship-breaking yard in Gujarat is one of
geoenviromental features, vegetation, intertidal
them. It is a unique place, perhaps the largest yard
ecology, offshore hydrobiology, heavy metal
of its kind in the world for this type of operation.
pollution, socio-economic study of the people
This is because the tidal regime here is one of the
involved, environmental management plan etc.
highest in the world and hence at the spring tide,
ships of any size could be towed up to a highest
The Gujarat Ecological Society has fulfilled its task
point along the shore. After the tide recedes, the
admirably and has finalised an integrated report
ship virtually remains on the land for nearly two
(Volume 1). Before bringing it in its present form,
weeks until the next spring tide comes. During
the contents of the report were presented and
this period, intensive ship-breaking activity is
discussed in a workshop held at Vadodara. The
carried out. The magnitude of operation in the yard
report is intended to be used and implemented by
is so large that it has taken the shape of an industry
the Gujarat Maritime Board. It is supported at the
of its kind with a sizable population dependant
end by a bibliography and relevant annexes.
for its livelihood on this activity. The entire
operation generates substantial revenue to Gujarat
With the background noted above, I am pleased to
State. Colonies of the human settlement have
give my admiration to the report, which I have
developed in the vicinity of the yard with their
gone through with interest. In my entire scientific
associated economic and health side effects.
career now lasting for more than 40 years, I have
seldom came across an administrator developing
While the activity in itself is important because it
such a keen interest in science and particularly in
must be carried out at some suitable place near
shore ecology and environment. Mr. Hasmukh
the sea, its short-term and long-term consequences
Shah is truly an exception. In the discussions I
on the ecology of the sea-shore, on its
have found him extremely knowledgeable on
physiography, geomorphology, environmental
different aspects of ecology and biological features.
features, fauna and flora, surrounding vegetation
His deep interest in this study and his pleasant
etc., must be studied and understood. Moreover
persuasion have prompted so many well-known
there is further scope of socioeconomic study with
scientists from different disciplines to take part in
its related features such as demography, land-use,
the investigations and in the formulation of the
living condition of workers, industrial safety and
report.
health and hygiene.
In my opinion, the report is exhaustive and one of
Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), Vadodara,
its kind to give an account of different aspects of
asked the Gujarat Ecological Society - an NGO -
ecological restoration of the ship-breaking yard.
to carry out an intensive study on "Ecological
It will undoubtedly serve as a model to carry out
restoration and planing for this ship-breaking
similar studies elsewhere in any other part of the
yard". The project was sponsored by the Gujarat
world. The report is well written. It is easy to read
Maritime Board, Ahmedabad.
and understand. I am sure, in addition to fully
serving the purpose for which it is intended, it will
The project team was identified, which included 5
stimulate other institutions and agencies to produce
senior advisors - all of them well known in their
similar exhaustive studies so essential for the
fields of specialization - and 9 working groups on
protection and conservation of different
geoenvironment, vegetation, physio-chemical
components of our country's environment.
studies, microbiology, benthic fauna, offshore
hydrography, socio-economic studies,
communication package and coordination. An

iii
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

New Delhi S.Z. Qasim

December, 1997 Ph.D., D.Sc.(Wales),
F.N.A. Sc., F.A.Sc., F.N.A.
Former Member,
Planning Commission
Govt. of India.

iv
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

PREFACE Logically, therefore, a detailed survey of the

vegetation - its diversity of species, distribution
and status - provides the baseline ecological
scenario of the region. Thereafter, a series of
An ecological study aimed at the development of
detailed micro-level studies were undertaken to
a restoration and management plan is distinctive
determine the impact of ship-breaking activities
in many ways. It takes into account all aspects of
on the onshore ecosystem, intertidal zone and
natural and social sciences, emphasises inter-
offshore region.
relationships among different critical factors and
strives to develop an understanding of what it
In the aquatic system, emphasis has been laid on
means to the complex web of living systems of
the benthic forms, the sedentary nature of which
which human beings form an integral part.
make them particularly vulnerable to any
perturbation in their environment. Apart from the
While a sectoral approach would lead to the study
macro forms, an ubiquitous group of shelled
of water quality, air quality, soil quality etc. and
protozoa - the foraminifera - has also been studied.
their direct bearing on human beings (sanctified
These are quick to respond to environmental
through the use of prescribed standards), a holistic
changes because of their small size, prolific
approach would rather adopt a systems study
reproduction and adaptation to a wide range of
emphasising the processes, functions and salient
habitats and, therefore, may provide a useful tool
features. Water, air, land and their associated living
for future biomonitoring of the region.
beings are, therefore, studied as integral parts of
different ecosystems which, in turn, have a certain
A particularly critical issue of heavy metal
relativity with their adjacent ecosystems.
pollution has been examined in detail. Also, a
Admittedly, this is an uphill task but what emerges
successful effort has been made to identify microbes
from such efforts is a much clearer perception of
that may have the potential for degradation of oil
the changes taking place within a system - its
and hydrocarbons.
nature, pace and degree of freedom for human
interventions.
However, it must be realised that only a beginning
has been made, a baseline information created and
The present assignment was a unique challenge
opinion generated in different quarters. These
to us. There were no models available since ship-
efforts need to be sustained, strengthened and re-
breaking is an activity which is in the last two
oriented as one goes along. The proposed
decades mostly confined to the developing world
management plan, therefore, is a blue print for a
where little concern or capacity exists for
first order intervention which also provides a
conducting such studies. Secondly, little is known
communication package for generating awareness
about the ecological conditions of the Alang-Sosiya
among different sections of people associated with
ship-breaking yard (ASSBY) except that it
the acitivity, develop an understanding of the stakes
experiences one of the highest tidal regimes of the
involved and provide a participatory mechanism
world, thanks to its being located at the mouth of
for the successful restoration of ASSBY through a
the Gulf of Khambhat. Finally, the sheer scale of
plan, managed largely by the stakeholders and
activities, its contribution to the State exchequer
people themselves.
and the peculiar socio-economic conditions of the
people associated with this industry provide a
complexity that will have a serious bearing on any
management plan that may be sought to be
(Hasmukh Shah)
implemented.
Place: Vadodara
Date: October, 1997
The design of this study, therefore, is also quite
unique. Initially, a macrolevel understanding is
sought by exploring the regional setup in terms of
geology, climate, physiography, oceanographic
features etc. - factors which manifest at this scale
and determines the large-scale vegetation structure.

v
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY processes are accomplished at the littoral zone.

These mainly include the removal of super-
structures and cutting of the ship's hull, engine
Shipbreaking activity is confined only to a few
and the propeller. After the removal of electrical
locations in the world. While it started in US and
and other miscellaneous items, the vessel is cut
UK after the Second World War, issues related to
vertically by oxygen-LPG torches into big blocks.
environmental pollution, increase in wages and
These blocks of about 10 tonnes drop onto the
increased availability of steel scrap at competitive
beach. The dismantled pieces are pulled on to the
prices, shifted the activity to relatively less
shore with the help of winches during the low tide.
industrialised countries such as Spain, Italy and
Activities in the on-shore zone mainly comprise
Turkey. Since the late eighties, Asian countries
of cutting the big blocks into smaller transportable
emerged as major shipbreaking countries in the
pieces, and transferring these smaller blocks to the
world. Currently, India, Bangladesh, China and
desired destination.
Pakistan share 92% of the total tonnage broken.
Among these, India ranks top with about 33% of
The ASSBY has reinforced growth of downstream
the total tonnage broken followed by Bangladesh
industries like re-rolling, oxygen-manufacturing
(29%), Pakistan (20%) and China (9%).
and LPG bottling plants within Alang-Bhavnagar-
Sihor triangle
In India, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is the
overall custodian for the world's largest ship-
However, the nature of operation itself has its own
breaking yard located at Alang. Alang is about
ecological hazards. The compaction and
21º 24' N and 72º 12' E in Talaja block, along the
contamination of sediments in the littoral zone,
Western side of gulf of Khambhat, at a distance of
the dispersal of pollutants and other material that
about 50 Km from Bhavnagar, the district
is released during shipbreaking process (such as
headquarters. Alang-Sosiya Shipbreaking Yard
petroleum hydrocarbons, solid wastes, heavy
(ASSBY) experiences semi-arid to subhumid
metals and other toxic materials) in the off-shore
tropical climate with precipitation about 570 mm
and intertidal zones, the bio-accumulation and bio-
and average 32 rainy days a year. The mean
magnification of pollutants in the tissue of marine
maximum temperature during summer is about
biota, the unplanned development of infrastructure,
40ºC and mean minimum temperature during
and concentration of human population on the
winter is around 12ºC. The site falls in distinct
fragile on-shore zones are some of the area of
high tidal amplitude zone (highest high tide-12
concern. These are serious issues and are now
m), has silt free beach condition, and the seabed
viewed with concern at all levels since these
dries up very quickly during the ebb period. These
processes, although slow, may damage the
characteristics along with availability of cheap
ecosystems irreversibly.
labour and ready market have made Alang a highly
suitable site for shipbreaking.
This ecological study, aimed at the development
of a restoration and management plan for ASSBY
The ASSBY comprises of 183 plots of different
area, has been carried out by the Gujarat Ecological
sizes. The first ship was beached at Alang on
Society (GES) under the aegis of Gujarat Ecology
February, 13, 1983. In 1996-97 a total of 280 ships
Commission (GEC) at the instance of GMB.
were beached and 25.94 lakh light displacement
GMB's enlightened approach to offer ASSBY for
tonnage (LDT) was broken. Almost 70% of total
scrutiny is a rare phenomenon among any sector
vessels and 90% of the total LDT broken during
of polluting activity - industrial or otherwise. A
1995 at ASSBY were of three major types, viz.,
holistic approach was adopted to analyse
Tankers, Cargo Carriers and Bulk Carriers.
shipbreaking activities from ecological point of
view. Environment experts from all over India were
The total ship-breaking activities encompass
consulted for designing the study as well as for
offshore, littoral, and on-shore zones. The offshore
preparation of the management plan. Initially a
processing starts with the arrival of a ship at Alang
macrolevel understanding was sought by exploring
anchorage, when personnel from customs
the regional set-up in terms of geology, climate,
department, agents, marine surveyors and the
physiography etc. Thereafter, a series of detailed
buyer inspect the vessel. The major shipbreaking

vi

microlevel studies were undertaken by
multidisciplinary teams to determine the impact
of shipbreaking activities on the onshore, intertidal
and offshore regions. Three rounds of samples were
collected from the offshore region covering post-
monsoon, winter and pre-monsoon seasons, while
ecological data from the onshore and intertidal
regions was collected for about nine months (i.e.,
excluding the monsoon period). The data collected
was grouped as: N-Control i.e., 15 km north of
ASSBY; 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 broadest
part of the continental shelf. In the western
seaboard of the country. Geoclimatically the
ASSBY is a water scarce region. Shetrunji is the
only major river that meets the Gulf on the east
coast of Saurashtra and is about 10 km towards
the south of ASSBY. Manar and Jaspara are two
seasonal rivers that meet the gulf through the
ASSBY. Stratigraphically, Tertiary Gaj formations
dominate which contain saline ground water
though, Deccan Traps do form isolated pockets of
sweet water aquifers with limited potential. High
suspended sediments in the gulf are largely
attributed to inflow of the rivers into the Gulf. High
tidal amplitude and funnelling action makes tidal
water to migrate across the gulf. Flushing action
take place on mouth of the gulf during ebb tides,
releasing sediments into the Arabian Sea.
The area is covered by dry deciduous vegetation
that is largely overexploited. A total of 433 species
of wild and cultivated plants, including 365 dicots
and 68 monocots, were recorded from the four
blocks of the study area viz., I-Alang-Sosiya, II-
Mithivirdi, III-Gopnath-Saltanpar and, IV-
Bhandaria-Talaja belt. Of these 136 species (111
dicots and 25 monocots) were common in all the
four blocks. The cultivated plant species
contributed about 58% of the total plant species in
block I, II and III, which increase to 78% in block
IV, indicating a pressure on natural vegetation in
block IV. A fairly high number (109) of exotic
species were recorded. Avicennia marina, was the
only mangrove species observed in blocks II and
III, with poor population density.
Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat
OFFSHORE
HYDROBIOLOGICAL FEATURES
The spatial and seasonal variations of the
temperature, pH and salinity of the offshore water
were not significant. Total suspended matter
(TSM) for the surface waters ranged from 14.6-
2995 mg/l while that of bottom waters varied from
43.2-4010 mg/l. The dissolved oxygen (DO) varied
from 5.3 to 7.85 mg/l between seasons and sites
but the difference between sites was not significant.
BOD was highest in post-monsoon season at the
offshore sites of ASSBY (6.6 mg/l), suggesting
loading through increase surface runoff. There was
significant variation between pre-monsoon and
post-monsoon nitrogen and phosphorus at any
given site. However, between control sites and
ASSBY sites variation was insignificant.
Higher concentration of chlorophyll a was recorded
during 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, phytoplankton
was highest during the post-monsoon (11,500 -
164,800 /l) and much lower during the winter and
pre-monsoon periods (3,200 - 19,600 /l). There
was also a distinct shift in the dominance of major
groups of phytoplankton over the different seasons.
Phaeophytin concentration was usually low (< 2
µg/l) in the offshore waters. However, there was a
distinct increase in the phaeophytin level (2.5 -
5.25 µg/l) during the winter season. There was no
significant variation between the control sites and
the sites within ASSBY.
A maximum of 13 zooplankton groups were
recorded during winters, which reduced to 7 during
the pre-monsoons. The population of zooplankton
was high in winter (603 - 4,620/ml) and pre-
monsoon (208 - 19,70/ml) seasons. There was also
a definite increase in the zooplankton biomass from
winter (0.31 - 1.74 ml/100m3) to pre-monsoon
(1.32 - 3.55 ml/100m3), possibly due to the
dominance of salps and fish larvae.
A total of 48 species of recent benthic foraminifera
belonging to 25 genera under 13 family were
identified. The N-Control transect was the most
healthy. The size reduction of certain forams like
Ammonia spp. indicates ecological degradation of
the region
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 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat
HEAVY METAL POLLUTION
Heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and
Cr) were estimated both from water (dissolved)
and sediments of intertidal, and from offshore
zones (both suspended and bottom sediments).
Higher concentration of Fe and Mn were recorded
from waters of the ASSBY areas as compared to
the control sites.
Similarly, all the measured heavy metals recorded
relatively higher concentration in the sediments
at ASSBY compared to the control sites. This is
particularly high at the coastline of M-ASSBY.
However, the Igeo values show that, the sediment
quality lies between unpolluted to moderately
polluted 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 and
around Alang have the potential to trap a large
quantity of heavy metals, they are still mostly
unpolluted. However, the sediments may show
higher pollution if kept unmonitored for a long
time.
INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY
The study indicate minor spatial and seasonal
variations in salinity, pH and DO, dissolved
phosphorus and nitrogen. However, BOD, COD
and oil-PHC were higher in ASSBY region
compared to the control sites, suggesting high
load of organic matter in the littoral zone.
Population and biomass of macrobenthos on soft
substrates was higher at N-Control and S-Control
sites compared to ASSBY areas. The group
diversity varied among groups (Molluscs,
Polychaetes, Crustaceans and Others) and among
different (upper, middle and lower) zones. Species
diversity was highest (1.8) in the upper intertidal
zone at S-Control and minimum (0.1) in the lower
intertidal zone at N-ASSBY. N-Control was
relatively similar (Sorenson's Index) to N-ASSBY
(67%) and S-ASSBY (64%).
A total of 23 macrobenthic species on rocky
substrates were recorded of which maximum
species (16), population and biomass was recorded
viii
at S-Control. The species composition of N-
ASSBY was similar to S-ASSBY (71%).
The bacterial population from S-ASSBY was more
salt tolerant as the viable count on different media
was highest (18) for this site. Similarly bacteria of
different physiological types (Agarolytic,
Chitinolytic and Cellulolytic) was highest (0.67,
56.3 and 36 respectively for the three types) at this
site. The maximum capacity (76%) to degrade
PHC-oil was also observed from a culture obtained
from this site.
ON SHORE
VEGETATION
Phytosociology study was undertaken through plot
sampling in four localities along the coastline,
which were stratified based on the distance from
ASSBY. Three tree species viz. Acacia leucophloea
and Azardiracta indica at N-Control, and
Avicennia marina were recorded at Ghogha. Out
of the six shrub species recorded, half (Calotropis,
Prosopis juliflora and Zizyphus nummularia) were
of medium to large size. The density of medium
to large shrubs ranged from 31.8 to 764.3
individuals (or bunch) per hectare. It was
maximum at S-ASSBY and N-ASSBY and
minimum at N-Control. Desmosatchya bipinnata
was the most dominating grass both in terms of
frequency 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 the
variation in species composition and abundance
does not have any correlation with ASSBY
activities. Instead, it is the variation in substratum,
type of shore and activities of villagers that have
caused differences in the species composition and
abundance at the three sites.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Socioeconomic conditions of the workers at
ASSBY and the economic impacts of ship-
breaking industry on the neighbourhood villages
were examined by the social scientists through
surveys, organisation of medical camp and
empirical observations. Of the total established

30,000 workforce of ASSBY, 94.5% belongs to
poor farmer families of three states viz., UP, Orissa
and Bihar. They are literate people (literacy 76%)
and in search of better emplyoment opportunities
have migrated to this area without their families.
Although, 40% of the workers are staying at
ASSBY site for more than six years, an average
worker has strong family ties and visits his native
place at least once a year. A large percentage of
workers (90%) earn more than Rs. 2,000 per month
and have a tendency to save (average annual saving
-Rs. 10,000) to assist the large families in their
native place. An average worker does not stint on
food and generally manages to remain physically
fit. He seems to shun all luxuries and lives in sub-
human conditions. Most of the workers have an
average of about 3 sq. m space per person and
huddle together in small huts which have neither
any ventilation and electric lights nor proper toilet
facilities. Poor hygienic and cramped living
conditions of workers was also revealed at the
medical camp where high presence of both MB
(infectious) and PB (non infectious) types of
leprosy cases were observed. As far as safety
standards are concerned negligible attentions is
paid either by workers or by plot management.
The establishment of ASSBY apparently has no
reference to the development of the area economy
and looks as a graft over the region. Nevertheless
growth of ASSBY has exerted positive impact on
nearby villages in terms of employment generation
bringing about almost full emplyoment in its
neighbourhood. Land use pattern of the nearby
villages is also changing as some of the agricultural
land parcels, particularly those adjacent to road or
more favourably exposed to the site of ASSBY,
are being brought under non agriculture uses and
as a result the land price in some of the nearby
villages has appreciated significantly.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PLAN
As is obvious from the data, the levels of pollutants
do not exhibit any drastic change spatially and
temporally. However, it is noted that the levels of
some pollutants are higher in the ASSBY region
as compared to the control sites. Therefore, in order
to prevent further building up of pollutants in the
coastal waters and sediments, which might
Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat
ultimately damage the living organisms and impair
vital ecological functions, a management plan for
ASSBY is proposed with overall objectives to
maintain (or restore) the conditions of the marine
ecosystem, ensure sustained economic
development and provide healthy living
conditions. The major recommendations are as
follows:
MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE
ECOSYSTEM
1. Check the high loading of organic matter
in the coastal water by the development of
proper sanitation facilities, provision for
appropriate sewerage system and treatment
mechanism.
2. Control the high levels of Oil and PHC by
minimising spills. The entire system of off-
loading of oil should be reviewed by GMB
and suitable measures may be adopted for
eliminating spillage at any stage. GMB
should provide for surprise inspection of
the plots to check any spillage of oil.
3. Installation and management of common
incineration facility for the proper disposal
of non-recoverable residue by GMB. The
task of monitoring the intertidal area for
oil-PHC may be entrusted to an independent
agency like Bhavnagar University or
CSMCRI.
4. Control of heavy metal pollution be
experimented with a system of dry-docking
(after a detailed technical feasibility study)
in which a plot will have walls on two sides
and a lock-gate opening into the sea. The
base could be covered by a tough synthetic
material and the entire space cleaned before
another ship is allowed in. In any case
disturbance to sediments should be kept to
the bare minimum and no dredging should
be carried out.
5. Creation of dumps for solid waste by GMB
at regular distance behind the plots and
arrange for segregation and disposal of such
materials.
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 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat
6. Protect and conserve biodiversity in and
around ASSBY. Monitoring task may be
assigned to Bhavnagar University, for
which, if necessary, its laboratory and other
infrastructure may be augmented/upgraded
7. Avoid introduction of alien species by
declaring, clinically examining and putting
under appropriate quarantine measures, any
life form that is brought by these ships. A
certificate to this effect may be obtained
from the seller of the ship.
MEASURES FOR UPGRADATION OF
ACTIVITIES
8. Development of backyards contiguous to
their current plots, but on the onshore zone
so that second and third order of cutting,
removal of paint, and storage of material
and equipment etc. can be performed there.
This will minimise the entry of waste
generated into the sea.
9. Modernise and mechanise the operations,
enhance the skills end efficiency of the work
force by training so as to take additional
load of shipbreaking done by maintaining
the work force at the current level.
MEASURES FOR IMPROVING HUMAN
HABITATION
10. Early development of a clean and hygienic
residential accommodation beyond the
main road and not close to the Shipbreaking
Yard by GMB. This will require about 50
ha of total land and about Rs. 103 crores of
fund.
11. As regards housing, locations may be
selected north of CRZ zone. If there are any
insurmountable problems in acquiring land
there, marginal adjustments may be made
in CRZ line
12. Management of township by shipbreakers
in small clusters depending on workforce
of each plot. GMB's personnel, however,
should inspect and supervise sanitation,
x
conservancy and general upkeep of houses.
13. Undertake measures to meet the total
drinking water requirement of 8.9 Mm3 as
given in the additional report. The cost
estimate for this task is around Rs. 50.3
crores.
14. Create a green belt of indigenous species
with the help of the forest Dept of State
Government in the area, between the plots
and workers' residential quarters, which is
not put to agricultural use.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
15. Periodic checks for heavy metals and other
non-biodegradable organics (such as PCBs)
in the different tissues (particularly liver,
brain and muscles) of fishes (such as
bombay duck, hilsa) and crustaceans
(shrimps, lobsters) be carried out at regular
intervals to monitor ecosystem health and
its potential effects on human health.
16. Entrust the regular monitoring of physico-
chemical and biological parameters to
independent 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. It
should be properly governed by a cross-
sectoral implementing agency. A separate
goal-oriented Division/Cell (say Alang
Environment Management Cell) dedicated
to the implementation and monitoring of
the management plan may be created
within the ADA. This Cell should be
constituted with its own functional sections
for the planning, implementation,
monitoring and co-ordination of the various
activities proposed to be taken up. The
proposed cell will facilitate appropriate co-
ordination and integration within and
outside the GMB working system.
 Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

18. Issuing of permit by GMB to only those

ships with necessary environmental
clearance in terms of hazardous and toxic
chemicals, exotic species, etc.

19. Continuous environmental monitoring by

an independent agency, like NIO,
CSMCRI, Bhavnagar Univ. and NEERI,
and report to GMB for necessary action.

20. Provision of infrastructure to shipbreakers

by GMB, in both intertidal and onshore
regions to increase the working efficiency
and to control the pollution load (oils, heavy
metals and solid wastes).

21. Cutting of the hull by shipbreakers into

large blocks and carry those blocks to
backyards for further action to avoid
prolonged activities in the fragile intertidal
zone. They should immediately collect all
the combustible material and incinerate
those to minimise the chances of pollution
spread in onshore, intertidal and finally
offshore regions.

AWARENESS PROGRAMME

22. There are basically four interest groups

directly involved in shipbreaking activity,
viz. Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the
shipbreakers-plot owners, the workers or
labourers and the villagers in ASSBY area.
Depending upon their concern, interest and
level of knowledge about sustainable
development, different awareness packages
for these four groups are proposed.

GMB may constitute a working group consisting

of representatives of GMB, shipbreakers and
experts in the field to examine the suggestions
made here to decide on long term planning for
shipbreaking industry at Alang.

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LIST OF TABLES

No. Title PN

1.1 Overall summary of gross tonnage broken by major ship-breaking 2

countries (1990-1995)
1.2 Percentage share in the world total 2
1.3 Gross tonnage broken in World and in India during 1975-1995 3
3.1 LDT broken at ASSBY since its inception 15
3.2 Type of Ships broken at ASSBY during 1995 15
3.3 Global availability of ships and tonnage for breaking by ship type 16
3.4 Costing (based on thumb-rules) per LDT at ASSBY 16
4.1 Stratigraphy of the Bhavnagar-Ghogha coastal segment 24
4.2 Tertiary-Quaternary stratigraphic sequence around Gopnath-Methla area 21
4.3 Stratigraphic sequences N-E of Gopnath coastal segment 25
4.4 Hydrogeological conditions in the coastal segments 26
4.5 Chemical quality of ground water 27
4.6 Characteristics of the stream longitudinal profiles 31
4.7 Statistical parameters of beach sands 32
4.8 Time differences for peak tides with reference to high tide at Bhavnagar Jetty 36
4.9 Seasonal wave height at different location along the coast 38
4.10 Clay mineralogical percentages in suspended sediment 40
5.1 The flora of Alang-Sosiya complex and its surrounding 45
5.2 Dominant floral families in the four blocks 46
5.3 Habitwise distribution of wild and cultivated (cult.) plant species in the four blocks 47
5.4 Cultivated crops in the Alang-Sosiya complex and its surroundings 48
5.5 Site characteristics of Alang-Sosiya complex and its surroundings 51
5.6 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of large shrubs species 52
5.7 Absolute density/ha (AD) and Relative density (RD in %) of large shrubs species 52
5.8 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of small shrubs species 54
5.9 Absolute cover (AC) and Relative cover (RC) of small shrubs species 54
5.10 Absolute frequency (AF) and Relative frequency (RF) of grass species 56
5.11 Absolute cover (AC) and Relative cover (RC) of grass species 56
5.12 Similarity of vegetation between different sites 57
6.1 Average Intertidal macrobenthic population (no/sq m) for self abstracts 67
6.2 Similarity index of macrobenthos in soft substratum 71
6.3 Species abundance of rocky intertidal macrofauna at sampling site 72
6.4 Population of macrobenthos in intertidal zone with rocky substratum 73
6.5 Similarity index of macrobenthos in rocky substratum 74
6.6 Enumeration of bacteria of different physiological types 77
from the soil samples near Alang
6.7 Identification of isolate 2 from the soil sediment of M-ASSBY 78
7.1 Temperature (ºC) variation of offshore water 84
7.2 pH variation in offshore water 84
7.3 Salinity (ppt) variation in offshore water 84
7.4 Suspended Solids (mg/l) in offshore water 85
7.5 DO in offshore water 86
7.6 Variation in Phytoplankton at different stations at Alang 86
7.7 Variation in Zooplankton at different stations at Alang 97
7.8 Fish landing data (kg/yr) at the neighbourhood of ASSBY 98
8.1 Distribution of major dissolved heavy metals in the intertidal zone 100
8.2 Distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of intertidal zone 101

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No. Title PN

8.3 Distribution of Fe (µg/g) in the sediments 103

8.4 Distribution of Mn (µg/g) in the sediments 103
8.5 Distribution of Zn (µg/g) in sediments 103
8.6 Distribution of Cu (µg/g) in sediments 103
8.7 Distribution of Pb (µg/g) in sediments 103
8.8 Distribution of Ni (µg/g) in sediments 104
8.9 Concentration of metals (µg/g) in standard shales 104
8.10 Correlation coefficient matrix for bottom sediments 107
8.11 Correlation coefficient matrix for suspended sediments 107
8.12 Metal ratio for Fe and Mn relative to standard shale 109
8.13 Metal ratio for Zn and Cu relative to standard shale 109
8.14 Metal ratio for Pb and Ni relative to standard shale 109
8.15 Igeo class with respect to sediment quality (Müller 1979) 110
8.16 Igeo values for Fe and Mn at Alang 111
8.17 Igeo values for Zn and Cu at Alang 111
8.18 Igeo values for Pb and Ni at Alang 111
9.1 Proximity of villages to ASSBY 114
9.2 Population change in the neighbouring villages of ASSBY 116
9.3 Distribution of workers in neighbouring villages of ASSBY 117
9.4 Workers of neighbouring villages employed in service sector of ASSBY 118
9.5 Number of households engaged in ASSBY related activities 118
9.6 Change in land prices in neighbouring villages of ASSBY 119
9.7 Category of workers involved in ship breaking activity 120
9.8 Statewise Distribution of workers 121
9.9 Worker's occupation at their native places 121
9.10 Demography of workers' families at their native places 122
9.11 Workers family house types at their native places 122
9.12 House ownership of workers at their native places 122
9.13 Agewise distribution of workers 123
9.14 Marital status of workers 123
9.15 Educational levels of workers 123
9.16 Annual income of workers 124
9.17 Annual savings of workers 124
9.18 Monthly expenditure of workers on housing 125
9.19 Accommodation types used by workers 125
9.20 Average floor space available to a worker in a hut 127
9.21 Workers staying with families at Alang 127
9.22 Preference of workers for staying with their families in a housing colony at Alang 127
9.23 Worker's length of stay at Alang 128
9.24 Worker's job status 128
9.25 Expenditure of workers on food items 128
9.26 Expenditure on refreshment items 129
9.27 Pathogens population in the waters of ASSBY 129
9.28 Number of leprosy cases among the workers of different states 130
9.29 Incidence of Diseases 131
9.30 Frequency of Diseases in last one year 131
9.31 Accidents occurred to workers 132

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9.32 Weight status of ASSBY workers by age and height 132

9.33 Distribution of workers having below normal weight 132
10.1 Summary of various parameters of intertidal and offshore areas 135
10.2 Contents, periodicity and agencies for monitoring 150
10.3 Action plan for environmental management of ASSBY area 151

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LIST OF FIGURES

No. Title PN

1.1. Gross tonnage of ship broken in the world and share of India 3
2.1 Location map of the study area 10
2.2 Rainfall in Gujarat 11
2.3 Location of Gulf vis-a-vis continental shelf 12
3.1 Numbers and LDT of shipbroken at ASSBY 14
4.1 Structural set-up of Gulf of Khambhat 22
4.2 Geology around Alang 23
4.3 Drainage pattern around Alang 28
4.4 Coastal landforms around Alang 30
4.5 Bathymetry of Gulf of Khambhat 35
4.6 Tidal amplitude in Gulf of Khambhat 39
4.7 Mineralogy around Gulf of Khambhat 39
5.1 Comparison of vegetation in ASSBY region between 1985 & 1998 43
5.2 Categorisation of the study area for vegetation study 44
5.3 Avicennia marina seedling density at various localities on coast 53
5.4 Shrub density at various localities on coast. 53
5.5 Percentage of shrub cover at various localities on coast 55
5.6 Percentage of grass cover at various localities on coast. 55
6.1 Salinity variation of water in littoral zone. 61
6.2 pH variation of water in intertidal zone 61
6.3 DO variation of water in intertidal zone 61
6.4 BOD variation of water in intertidal zone 62
6.5 COD variation of water in intertidal zone 62
6.6 Oil-PHC variation of water in intertidal zone 62
6.7 PO4-P variation of water in intertidal zone 63
6.8 Total N variation of water in intertidal zone 63
6.9 NH4-N variation of water in intertidal zone 63
6.10 NO3-N variation of water in intertidal zone 64
6.11 NO2-N variation of water in intertidal zone 64
6.12 Population of macrobenthic community 66
6.13 Biomass of macrobenthic community. 69
6.14 Species groups in different intertidal zones with different proportions 69
6.15 Taxa richness of macrobenthic community 70
6.16 Diversity (Shannon Weiner) index of macrobenthic community 70
6.17 Total number of species in the intertidal zone 71
6.18 Population macrobenthic community on rocky substrate 73
6.19 Biomass of macrobenthic community on rocky substrate 74
6.20 Viable count of bacteria on different media 76
6.21 Viable count of the bacteria in unpolluted sea water 76
6.22 BHC Oil degradation by consortium of micro-organisms 77
7.1 Variation of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in offshore water 87
7.2 Variation of NO3-N content in offshore water 88
7.3 Variation of NO2-N content in offshore water 90
7.4 Variation of NH4-N content in offshore water 91
7.5 Variation of PO4-P content in offshore water 92
7.6 Variation of Oil-PHC content in offshore water 93
7.7 Variation of Chlorophyll-a content in offshore water 94

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7.8 Variation of Phaeophytin content in offshore water 96

8.1 Zn concentration in bottom sediments 105
8.2 Cu concentration in bottom sediments 105
8.3 Pb concentration in bottom sediments 105
8.4 Zn concentration in suspended sediments 106
8.5 Cu concentration in suspended sediments 106
8.6 Pb concentration in suspended sediments 106
9.1 Neighbouring villages of ASSBY 115
10.1 Integrated environmental cause effect relationship 138
10.2 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 9

3.1 Cranes lifting large iron block 19
3.2 Large iron blocks being cut into smaller blocks 19
3.3 A view of Alang-Sosiya shipbreaking yard 20
5.1 A RS (LANDSAT MSS) view of the region around ASSBY in February 1985 42
5.2 A RS (IRS LISS III) view of the region around ASSBY in January 1998 42
5.3 Thickets of Prosopis around ASSBY 49
7.1 Van Veen type grab sampler 83
7.2 Narrow mouth sampling bottle for oil 83
7.3 Heron Trantor net for zooplankton sampling 83
9.1 Slum dwelling around ASSBY 126

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AAS Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

AD Absolute Density
ADA Alang Area Development Authority
ADB Asian Development Bank
AF Absolute Frequency
ASSBY Alang Sosiya Ship-breaking Yard
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
CEC Cation Exchange Capacity
CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
Cr. Crore/Crores
CRZ Coastal Regulation Zone
CSMCRI Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute
Cult. Cultivated
DO Dissolved Oxygen
EAF Electric Arc Furnace
GBH Girth at Breast Height
GIDC Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation
GMB Gujarat Maritime Board
GPCB Gujarat Pollution Control Board
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
km Kilometres
LDO Light Diesel Oils
LDT Light Displacement tonnage
LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas
m Metres
meq Milli equivalent
Min Minutes
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MPN Most Probable Number
NGO Non Government Organisation
NIO National Institute of Oceanography
ONGC Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl
PHC Petroleum Hydro Carbon
RD Relative Density
RF Relative Frequency
SPC Standard Plate Count
TBT Tri-Butyle Tin
TSM Total Suspended Matter

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD III
PREFACE V
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VI
LIST OF TABLES XII
LIST OF FIGURES XV
LIST OF PLATES XVII
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS XVIII

1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Global scenario of ship-breaking 1
1.2 The Indian perspective 3
1.3 About this study 5
1.3.1 Background 5
1.3.2 Aims and objectives 5
1.3.3 Approach 5
1.3.4 Methodology (components and scope) 6
1.3.5 Chapter scheme 7

2. STUDY AREA 8
2.1 Location 8
2.2 Regional setup 8
2.2.1 Climate 8
2.2.2 Geological setting 8
2.2.3 Hydrogeology 8
2.2.4 Oceanographic features 13
2.2.5 Vegetation 13

3. ALANG-SOSIYA SHIP-BREAKING YARD (ASSBY) 14

3.1 Historical perspective 14
3.2 Present status 14
3.3 Modus operandi 17
3.3.1 Products of shipbreaking 17

4. GEOENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES 21
4.1 Geology 21
4.1.1 Structural setup 21
4.1.2 Stratigraphy 21
4.1.3 Hydrogeology 25
4.2 Geomorphology 27
4.2.1 Drainage 27
4.2.2 Landform 29
4.2.3 Coastal deposits 32
4.3 Offshore: The Gulf of Khambhat 34
4.3.1 Bathymetry 34
4.3.2 Tides and tidal currents 34
4.3.3 Waves 38
4.3.4 Nature of tidal sediments 38

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5. VEGETATION 41
5.1 Vegetation change detection using RS data 41
5.2 Floristic composition 41
5.2.1 Methodology 41
5.2.2 Floral abundance 45
5.3 Phytosociology 48
5.3.1 Sampling 50
5.3.2 Data collection 50
5.3.3 Data analysis 50
5.3.4 Trees 50
5.3.5 Shrub 50
5.3.6 Grass 54
5.3.7 Similarity index 54
5.4 Conclusion 57

6. INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY 58
6.1 Methodology 58
6.1.1 Sampling 59
6.1.2 Data analysis 59
6.2 Physico-chemical properties of water 60
6.2.1 Salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) 60
6.2.2 BOD, COD and oil-PHC 60
6.2.3 Dissoved phosphorus and nitrogen 60
6.3 Physico-chemical properties of sediments 65
6.3.1 Particulate nitrogen and phosphorus 65
6.3.2 pH and oil-PHC 65
6.4 Macrobenthic community 65
6.4.1 Macrobenthos on soft substrates 65
6.4.2 Macrobenthos on rocky substrates 71
6.5 Microbial communities 75
6.5.1 Methods 75
6.5.2 Total number of bacteria 75
6.5.3 Physiological types 75
6.5.4 Oil related microbes 77
6.6 Conclusion 78

7. OFFSHORE HYDROBIOLOGICAL FEATURES 80

7.1 Methodology 80
7.1.1 Sampling strategy 80
7.1.2 Field and laboratory techniques 81
7.2 Physico-chemical features 82
7.2.1 Temperature, pH and salinity 82
7.2.2 Total suspended matter (TSM) 85
7.2.3 DO and BOD 86
7.2.4 Nitrogen and phosphorus 86
7.2.5 Oil-PHC 89
7.3 Biological features 89
7.3.1 Phytoplankton pigments 89
7.3.2 Phytoplankton 95
7.3.3 Zooplankton 97
7.3.4 Benthos 98

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7.3.5 Fishery 98
7.4 Impact of ASSBY on the offshore ecosystem 99
7.5 Conclusion 99

8. HEAVY METAL POLLUTION 100

8.1 Intertidal zone 100
8.1.1 Methods 100
8.1.2 Heavy metal distribution 100
8.2 Offshore zone 101
8.2.1 Methods 101
8.2.2 Nature of sediments 101
8.3 Heavy metal concentration in sediments 102
8.3.1 Interelemental relationship 107
8.3.2 Quantification of heavy metals 108
8.4 Conclusion 112

9. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 113

9.1 Methodology 113
9.2 Neighbouring villages 116
9.2.1 Demography 116
9.2.2 Amenities and infrastructure 116
9.2.3 Employment due to ASSBY 117
9.2.4 Land use pattern 119
9.3 Profile of workers 120
9.3.1 Composition 120
9.3.2 Literacy 123
9.3.3 Income pattern 124
9.3.4 Living conditions 125
9.3.5 Victuals 128
9.3.6 Health and hygiene 130
9.3.7 Industrial safety 133

10. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 134

10.1 Need of a management plan 134
10.2 Objectives of the management plan 137
10.3 Management of the marine ecosystem 139
10.3.1 Measures for pollution control 139
10.3.2 Protection of biodiversity 141
10.4 Measures for upgradation of activities 142
10.4.1 Development of backyards 142
10.4.2 Mechanisation and improvement of skills 142
10.4.3 Safety measures 143
10.5 Measures for improving human habitation 144
10.5.1 Township development 144
10.5.2 Location 147
10.5.3 Water demands and supply 148
10.5.4 Green belt 148
10.6 Monitoring and evaluation 149

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10.6.1 Monitoring of ecosystem health 149

10.6.2 Monitoring and regulation of shipbreaking activities 150
10.7 Management responsibilities 150
10.7.1 Related to shipbreaking activities 154
10.7.2 Related to socio-economic conditions 154
10.8 Organisation of implementation 155
10.9 Awareness programme 155
10.9.1 Contents for awareness packages 155
10.9.2 Awareness package for GMB officials 156
10.9.3 Awareness package for shipbreaking management 157
10.9.4 Awareness package for workers 157
10.9.5 Other groups 158

BIBLIOGRAPHY 160
ANNEXES 166

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