Saarc centre to assess state of oil pollution in Indian Ocean region

Bangladesh High Commissioner Mijarul Quayes inaugurated the programme in Male on Sunday, according to a message received here.

The programme of monitoring oil pollution called "tar ball" involves students drawn from over 100 schools across 21 atolls of the Maldives.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, the Bangladesh High Commissioner welcomed the involvement of school children in environmental issues.

He underscored the need for sustainable environment management through public discourse on environmental issues.

The director of the centre made a presentation on oil pollution and "tar balls" monitoring.

The inaugural programme was attended by government functionaries including ministers.

South Asian states which are washed by the Indian Ocean face critical risk in terms of oil pollution and accidental spill.

Tanker and shipping routes from the Middle East passes through here to East Asian countries.

Almost 82 percent of Middle Eastern oil is exported to Japan, China and Singapore.

Maldives, which stretches 800 kilometres from north to south in the Indian Ocean, is ideally located to monitor the level of oil pollution through documenting "tar balls" prevalence on its beaches.

The Bangladesh Mission in Male has been working closely with the Saarc centre.