- Jessica Bernard
The exponential growth and the wondrous achievements of science have been lauded throughout the world, at the hazards that these wonders pose to the environment & even human life is often overlooked.
The recent oil-spill at Mumbai showcases how mishandling of super structures can cause a mayhem. The mishap caused as the Panama- flagged MSC Chitra & MV Khalija 3 collided off the mumbai coast. It caused abt 200 containers from MSC Chitra to be thrown into Arabian sea.
It is known that oil can form thin film like sheaths. It can asphyxiate all life forms and wipe them off. According to Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS) spill will have amplified impact on sedimentary marine animals like shells, lobsters, crabs, oyster, shrimps & mud skippers. The impact on the fish will be known only in fair season btw December and March.
The oil spill has caused massive damage to the 25 km mangrove stretch along Vashi area. The oil sleek has damaged many mangrove saplings and this can create drastic imbalances in the marine ecosystem. The volatilized particles that evaporate cause toxicity to birds & other living forms outside the marine ecosystem. These will ultimately cause untold miseries to coastal population.
The bio remediation process by using ' oil zapper ' technology was carried out by TERI to clear oil layers from beaches over 5 kg of microbes can clean 1 tonne of oil contaminated sand or soil. it took about 45 days to bring oil layer under control . The cleaning process in Sasawne & Karave coast is almost completed.
The tanker & general ship movement to India along western coast has increased tremendously. Against this backdrop a strong 'Oil Spill Response System' is of paramount importance. The importance of capacity building & infrastructure in the ports & coastal administrations to fight oil spills & manage hazardous & noxious cargo can't be overemphasized. Ports should strictly adhere to ' National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan ' and state should modernize their pollution control apparatus. At the very last, it must be ensured that these and other big ports and oil handling facilities have the primary Tier 1 capability, which by definition can combat oil spills up to 700 tonnes.
To prevent environmental fallouts in future, we should never forget that nature is a repository of precious resources which nourishes & sustains us without demanding anything in return. Thus it is our sacred duty to ensure its well being.
The exponential growth and the wondrous achievements of science have been lauded throughout the world, at the hazards that these wonders pose to the environment & even human life is often overlooked.
The recent oil-spill at Mumbai showcases how mishandling of super structures can cause a mayhem. The mishap caused as the Panama- flagged MSC Chitra & MV Khalija 3 collided off the mumbai coast. It caused abt 200 containers from MSC Chitra to be thrown into Arabian sea.
The bio remediation process by using ' oil zapper ' technology was carried out by TERI to clear oil layers from beaches over 5 kg of microbes can clean 1 tonne of oil contaminated sand or soil. it took about 45 days to bring oil layer under control . The cleaning process in Sasawne & Karave coast is almost completed.
The tanker & general ship movement to India along western coast has increased tremendously. Against this backdrop a strong 'Oil Spill Response System' is of paramount importance. The importance of capacity building & infrastructure in the ports & coastal administrations to fight oil spills & manage hazardous & noxious cargo can't be overemphasized. Ports should strictly adhere to ' National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan ' and state should modernize their pollution control apparatus. At the very last, it must be ensured that these and other big ports and oil handling facilities have the primary Tier 1 capability, which by definition can combat oil spills up to 700 tonnes.To prevent environmental fallouts in future, we should never forget that nature is a repository of precious resources which nourishes & sustains us without demanding anything in return. Thus it is our sacred duty to ensure its well being.
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