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Oil Spill Off Mumbai Coast may Affect Mangroves

by Kathy Jones on Aug 12 2010 9:34 PM

The oil spill off the coast of Mumbai may affect mangroves near the Elephanta Island and those near Vashi in Navi Mumbai.

 Oil Spill Off Mumbai Coast may Affect Mangroves
The oil spill off the coast of Mumbai may affect mangroves near the Elephanta Island and those near Vashi in Navi Mumbai.
Experts are predicting massive ecological damage although accurate estimates are not available. The oil slick was caused after merchant vessel MSC Chitra collided with MV Khalijia-III.

Valsa Nair, Environment Secretary, told The Hindu that the true estimate of the damage caused by the spill would be known soon.

“The Pollution Control Board has constituted four survey teams with assistance of the Coast Guard and the district or local administration, one each for Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Thane and Raigad districts,” a press statement from the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping said.

It has now emerged that 200 of the 512 containers placed on the deck were empty as per information released by the ship’s owner. Fish in the area have definitely been affected with the State Fisheries Department undertaking more sampling to find out the extent of the contamination caused.


Source-Medindia


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