Fishermen engaged in oil extraction from Ennore-Manali wetlands after oil spill in January 2024. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
With four coastal districts identified as being at ‘very high’ risk of oil spills, the Tamil Nadu government has finalized an emergency plan to mitigate such disasters.
The final plan, prepared in January 2024, a month after the oil spill in Ennore, Thiruvallur district, outlines the necessary steps and procedures to restore the oil-polluted habitat to its original state without causing adverse impact on natural resources. and nature.
Protective cover
It is intended to respond to marine oil spills of any kind that occur within 12 nautical miles (24 km) from the coast of the State, as well as in river systems that extend 40 km inland or in an area where the effects of erosion are visible, regardless of the distance. great.
Recently published on the environment department’s website, the Tamil Nadu State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan identifies Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, the Gulf of Mannar Islands, and Thiruvallur as ‘very high’ oil spill risk, while Kanniyakumari and Chennai are classified as ‘dangerous’ big’. locations.
The emergency plan prioritizes 15 oil spill response areas based on their biological and environmental sensitivity. The entire Gulf of Mannar, and the sea around the Thoothukudi salt pans, is known as an important defensive area. Other areas include the beaches of Manapad, Rameswaram, and Tiruchendur, as well as Palk Bay, south of Thondi, and Kanniyakumari.
The beaches of Manavalakurichi and the mangroves along the coast of Pudukkottai and Thanjavur districts are also highlighted for their ecological importance.
Additionally, Tharangambadi beaches in Mayiladuthurai and Velankanni in Nagapattinam district, Vedaranyam and Muthupet ports, and Photosvaram district, including Kollidam and Vellar river basins, will be targeted. The program also prioritizes the fight against oil pollution in Kaliveli and Cheyyur lagoons, Mamallapuram, Marina and Elliot beaches in Chennai, and Pulicat Lake.
Administrative responsibility
According to the document, the primary responsibility for oil spill emergency management rests with the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, which will act as the nodal agency, supported by the concerned District Collectors as lead agencies.
This plan outlines four key steps for coastal cleanup activities. The first step involves assessing the need for cleanup and setting priorities, ensuring consensus among the cleanup team, environmental experts, and authorities. The second step requires the Indian Coast Guard to collect and document oil samples immediately after the spill.
The third step focuses on choosing the right strategies based on the beach and the level of lubrication while reducing the environmental impact. The final step is to monitor the process to ensure that there is minimal disturbance to the shoreline and to conduct ongoing inspections to ensure the availability of shoreline features.
Published – October 19, 2024 05:37 am IST
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