Tamil Nadu Finalises Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Coastline

In January 2024, after an oil spill in Ennore, Thiruvallur district, the Tamil Nadu government introduced a detailed plan to handle future oil spills. This plan focuses on four coastal districts that are at high risk of oil spills and aims to prevent environmental damage.

Identifying Risk Areas

The Tamil Nadu State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan has identified four districts as ‘very high’ risk for oil spills:

• Ramanathapuram
• Thoothukudi
• Gulf of Mannar islands
• Thiruvallur

In addition to these, Kanniyakumari and Chennai are considered ‘high-risk’ areas. The plan focuses on 15 sensitive zones, which need special attention and quick action if an oil spill happens.

Protecting Critical Ecological Zones

Certain regions with fragile ecosystems are given special protection under the plan, including:

• Gulf of Mannar
• Thoothukudi salt pans
• Beaches at Manapad, Rameswaram, and Tiruchendur
• Palk Bay and Kanniyakumari
• Mangroves in Pudukkottai and Thanjavur
• Tharangambadi and Velankanni beaches
• Vedaranyam and Muthupet lagoons
• Pichavaram, along with Kollidam and Vellar estuaries
• Kaliveli and Cheyyur lagoons
• Urban beaches in Chennai

Who Manages the Response?

The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority will be responsible for handling oil spills. They will work closely with District Collectors, who will take the lead in their respective areas. This coordination is vital for a quick and effective response to any spill emergencies.

Steps for Cleaning Up Oil Spills

The plan outlines a clear, four-step process for cleaning oil spills along the shoreline:

Assessment and Prioritisation: Teams will assess the spill and agree on the most important areas to clean first.

Sample Collection: The Indian Coast Guard will collect oil samples as soon as the spill occurs to understand the spill’s impact.

Selecting Clean-Up Methods: Based on the type of shoreline and the amount of oil, the right techniques will be chosen to clean up the area, keeping environmental protection in mind.

Monitoring and Assessment: The clean-up will be monitored continuously to make sure the environment is recovering properly and that there’s minimal disruption to the ecosystem.

This well-structured plan ensures that any future oil spills are managed effectively, helping to protect Tamil Nadu’s fragile coastal environments.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2024

Category: States Current Affairs