The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), on April 3, 2026, has issued a draft notification proposing the Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Key Highlights:
The draft rules aim to regulate collection, storage, transport, treatment, and disposal of tar-balls, which are residues formed from oil spills.
Applicable to oil companies, ships, tankers, oil facility owners, and other handlers involved in generation or management of tar-balls.
Introduces requirement of authorisation for handling tar-balls by prescribed authorities.
Provides for eco-friendly disposal methods, including:
Co-processing (use as fuel/raw material in industries like cement)
Incineration (controlled burning at high temperatures)
Defines key stakeholders such as generator, occupier, authorized person, and facility operator.
Implementation Timeline:
The rules will come into force one year after final notification in the Official Gazette.
Public Consultation:
Stakeholders can submit objections/suggestions within 60 days from publication.
Impact:
These rules aim to ensure scientific handling of oil spill residues, reduce environmental damage, and strengthen marine and coastal pollution management in India.
[G.S.R. 252(E)]
