What Actions is the Tamil Nadu Government Taking Regarding the Kerala Shipwreck and Plastic Nurdle Spill?

Synopsis
The National Green Tribunal is pushing for immediate action from the Tamil Nadu government regarding a significant plastic nurdle spill from a sunken cargo ship. This urgent situation threatens marine life and coastal ecosystems, prompting a comprehensive cleanup report to be filed.
Key Takeaways
- The NGT has mandated a report from the Tamil Nadu government on the nurdle spill.
- The spill poses serious risks to marine life and coastal ecosystems.
- Immediate cleanup measures and containment strategies are essential.
- The incident highlights the need for better regulations on hazardous cargo.
- Public awareness is crucial for environmental protection.
Chennai, June 11 (NationPress) The Southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Tamil Nadu government to submit a thorough report regarding the cleanup efforts in response to a substantial spill of plastic nurdles that has reached the shores of Dhanushkodi.
The spill is linked to the sinking of a cargo ship off the coast of Kochi on May 25.
The vessel, identified as MSC Elsa 3, is a Liberia-flagged container ship that sank approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.
The ship was transporting over 600 containers, which included hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, oil, and a significant amount of nurdles—tiny plastic pellets essential in the production of plastic goods.
Previously, the NGT Principal Bench had recognized the environmental risks posed by the shipwreck.
In a session on Tuesday, the Southern Bench, consisting of Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, raised serious concerns about the ecological implications of the spill.
During the hearing, the Bench probed the Tamil Nadu government's legal representative regarding actions taken in response to the widespread scattering of nurdles.
"The nurdles have made their way to Dhanushkodi. What measures have been implemented thus far?" Justice Sathyanarayana inquired, underlining the urgency to alleviate further environmental damage.
The Tribunal underscored the potential dangers posed by the spill to marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, and water quality, particularly in vulnerable ecological zones along the Tamil Nadu coastline.
When ingested by marine life, nurdles can disrupt the food chain, leading to enduring environmental repercussions.
In addition to these concerns, the Bench acknowledged a recent incident involving an explosion on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship traveling from Colombo to Mumbai on June 9.
This explosion raised new alarms about the possibility of oil leaks and debris contaminating Indian waters, further threatening marine ecosystems.
Considering these developments, the NGT has mandated the Tamil Nadu government to provide a detailed status report outlining the immediate containment and cleanup measures that have been initiated.
The report is anticipated to include information regarding affected coastal areas, strategies to recover nurdles, and measures taken to prevent long-term environmental damage.
The Tribunal will revisit the matter in the next hearing, closely overseeing both state and central responses to this evolving environmental crisis.