File report on biodiversity loss due to oil spill: NGT tells government
CHENNAI: Hearing a suo motu case related to the oil spill in Ennore, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed the state environment department and fisheries department to file a report on the loss of fish and biodiversity in the Ennore creek. Instructed to do so. ,
The departments have been directed to file reports before Thursday, when the case is scheduled to be heard next.
The tribunal comprising Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati observed that many fish have died in the area and asked the fisheries department the reason for not filing a report on the fish deaths.
Additionally, the tribunal also took note of the tar balls spreading in the Pulicat area. “During the last hearing, it was said that the oil has been stopped from going into the sea, but it has spread up to Pulicat,” the bench said.
On the other hand, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) informed the tribunal that most of the cleanup work has been completed and the remaining work will be completed in 2 to 3 days. CPCL also argued that more than 600 people have been employed for cleaning operations and argued that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) should inspect other industries in Manali before pointing fingers at CPCL.
It is noteworthy that NGT had ordered CPCL to complete the cleaning work before Sunday (December 17), but the work is still going on.
Meanwhile, the state environment department said it is in the process of preparing restoration plans in those areas in collaboration with specialized agencies such as the Center for Environmental Studies, Anna University and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation.
In the report submitted to NGT, the oil refinery company said that all the industries in Manali area have been badly affected by the floods.
The report said, “Due to the unprecedented flooding, the level of the Buckingham Canal (outside the boundary) rose above the refinery’s normal storm drainage level, causing reverse flow. When flood levels subsided this caused oil spills into the Buckingham Canal. I must have come.” Said.
