Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change acknowledges the adverse environmental impacts of petrol and diesel-powered boats, including water and noise pollution affecting aquatic ecosystems. The government is promoting a transition to solar/electric boats, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. Key initiatives include subsidies for solar/electric and green fuel boats and the Harit Nauka Guidelines, targeting a 100% transition to green inland vessels by 2047.
Key Points / Main Content:
Environmental Impact Awareness:
* Boats using petrol and diesel contribute to water and noise pollution.
* These pollutants harm aquatic life by reducing water quality and disrupting animal behavior.
* Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to these disturbances.
Regulations and Restrictions:
* The Inland Vessels Prevention and Containment of Pollution Rules, 2022, mandate compliance with environmental norms in ecologically sensitive areas.
* Compliance is required under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Promotion of Alternative Fuel Boats:
* The government is actively promoting solar-electric boats as a sustainable alternative.
* A 20% subsidy is granted to solar-electric boats (12 meters or more).
* A 30% subsidy is available for boats using green fuels like methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen.
Harit Nauka Guidelines:
* Launched in January 2024 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
* Aims for 100% transition to green inland vessels by 2047.
* Provides technical standards and incentives for eco-friendly boat design, retrofitting, and alternative fuels.
* Focuses on phasing out fossil fuel-based vessels.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India:
* Impact: Required to enforce the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and promote the transition to cleaner energy boats through subsidies and guidelines.
* Action Required: Implement and monitor the Inland Vessels Prevention and Containment of Pollution Rules, 2022, provide subsidies, and oversee the Harit Nauka Guidelines.
Boat Owners and Operators:
* Impact: Must comply with pollution norms in ecologically sensitive areas and may benefit from subsidies for switching to solar/electric or green fuel boats.
* Action Required: Adhere to the Inland Vessels Prevention and Containment of Pollution Rules, 2022, consider upgrading to solar/electric or green fuel boats to take advantage of subsidies.
Shipbuilding Industry:
* Impact: Potential to benefit from increased demand for solar/electric and green fuel boats due to government subsidies and regulations.
* Action Required: Adapt shipbuilding practices to meet the demand for eco-friendly boat designs and alternative fuel systems.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
* Impact: Responsible for facilitating the transition from fossil fuel-based vessels to cleaner alternatives.
* Action Required: Work towards a phased transition to electric, solar-powered, and hybrid propulsion boats.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
SHRI DULU MAHATO: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question regarding phasing out of fossil fuel based boats.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who provided the answer to the question.
Inland Vessels Prevention and Containment of Pollution Rules, 2022: Rules framed under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, mandating compliance with environmental norms for inland vessels in ecologically sensitive areas.
Inland Vessels Act, 2021: The act under which the Inland Vessels Prevention and Containment of Pollution Rules, 2022 were framed.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Indian environmental law that empowers the central government to protect and improve environmental quality.
Wild Life Protection Act, I972: Indian legislation providing for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Organization actively working towards a phased transition from fossil fuel-based vessels to cleaner alternatives.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping Waterways: The ministry that launched the Harit Nauka Guidelines in January 2024.
Harit Nauka Guidelines: Guidelines launched in January 2024, with a vision for 100% transition of Inland Vessels to Green Vessels by 2047.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 94
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Phasing Out of Fossil Fuel based Boats
94. SHRI DULU MAHATO:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that boats run by petrol-diesel leads to water and
noise pollution and have adverse impact on the birds and aqua ecology and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether any assessment have been made regarding enivronmental impact of such boats
and if so, major outcomes of the same;
(c) whether there are any rules or restrictions on using these boats in bird sanctuaries and
ecologically sensitive areas and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is considering to promote phasing out of fossil fuel based
boats with solar boats in phased manner and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the list of the recognised boat parking places in the country including the
number and type (manual or machine) boats being used in each of such places along
with the type of fuel being used in such boats, State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e)
The Government of India is aware that boats powered by petrol and diesel contribute to water
and noise pollution, adversely affecting birds and aquatic ecosystems. Petrol and diesel boats,
release unburnt fuel, oil, and exhaust emissions, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide,
and nitrogen oxides, into waterbodies. These pollutants can harm aquatic life by reducing water
quality, forming toxic sheens, and accumulating in sediments, which affects fish, plankton, and
other organisms. Additionally, noise pollution from these engines, especially in sensitive areas
like bird sanctuaries may disrupt avian behavior, including breeding, foraging, and navigation,
particularly for species reliant on acoustic cues. Noise from boat engines can also impair fish
communication and predator avoidance, further affecting aquatic ecosystems. In India, aquatic
ecosystems, which are critical habitats for birds and other obligate aquatic species, are
particularly vulnerable to such disturbances.
The Inland Vessels (Prevention and Containment of Pollution) Rules, 2022 framed under the
Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (read with Section 111 of the Act) mandates that all Inland vessels
passing through ecologically sensitive areas must comply with the applicable norms andstandards, as prescribed by the Central Government under Environment Protection Act, 1986
(29 of 1986), the Wild Life (Protection) Act, I972 (53 of 1972) and any other law for the time
being in force. The Government of India is actively promoting the transition from fossil fuel-
based boats to solar-electric boats, particularly in eco-sensitive areas, as part of its broader
sustainability and renewable energy goals.
The Ministry of Shipping, in August 2023, amended its shipbuilding subsidy policy granting a
20% subsidy to solar electric boats measuring 12 metres or more in length. Additionally, boats
utilizing green fuels like as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen would receive a 30% subsidy.
Further, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is actively working towards a phased
transition from fossil fuel-based vessels to cleaner alternatives including electric, solar-
powered and hybrid propulsion boats. The Harit Nauka Guidelines have been launched by
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in January, 2024 with a vision for 100 % transition
of Inland Vessels to Green Vessels by 2047 by providing technical standards and incentives
for eco-friendly boat design, green retrofitting and use of alternate fuels and phasing out of
fossil fuel based vessels.
****