In the wake of an oil spill in the Ennore Creek area caused by flooding from Cyclone Michaung, significant progress has been made in emergency oil recovery efforts. The spill originated from the premises of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) and affected the Buckingham Canal, reaching Ennore Creek. The state’s Environment, Climate Change, and Forest Department, along with nearly 900 individuals, including trained sea cleaning agencies and local fishermen, successfully completed the emergency oil recovery work.
The next phase involves the restoration of mangroves in the affected areas. The Ennore Creek region has been divided into four zones for targeted efforts. The cleanup process utilizes low-speed seawater jet pipes to remove oil deposits, which are then absorbed using soak pads, skimmers, and oil booms. This meticulous process aims to clean approximately 60 hectares of mangroves. Despite the challenges, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Climate Change, and Forest, expressed determination, stating, “The slow and laborious process to clean about 60 hectares of mangroves, but we will get there.”
Supriya Sahu, leading the on-ground teams, conducted an overview of the affected areas with a collaborative group comprising officers, CPCL representatives, cleaning agencies, and impacted fishermen communities in Ennore Creek. While most areas have completed oil recovery and mitigation, deposits of oil in mangroves require additional time due to the specialized and careful nature of the task.
Acknowledging the need for a focused approach, Sahu highlighted a shift in strategy towards cleaning oil ingress in mangrove areas. The Forest Department plans to engage local fishermen through CPCL resources for this purpose, utilizing smaller boats equipped with oil booms and soak pads. This initiative marks the beginning of the Ennore Mangroves restoration project.
The oil spill, which occurred on December 3 after Cyclone Michaung, has adversely affected nearby fishing villages. The oil-mixed water entered houses, damaging personal belongings, and impacting livelihoods as boats were found coated with oil. To address the environmental and community impact, the Environment, Climate Change, and Forests Department established a technical team on December 10 to investigate the cause of the oil spill in the Ennore Creek area.
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