Minor oil slick reported off Jamnagar

Experts from the Forest Department have begun assessing the threat to the Marine National Park following an oil spill from a crude tanker in the Arabian Sea.

Experts from the Forest Department have begun assessing the threat to the Marine National Park following an oil spill from a crude tanker in the Arabian Sea. A technical snag in the supply circuit caused a 50-litre oil spill during offloading at the Essar Oil Limited jetty near Vadinar in Jamnagar on Wednesday.

On Thursday,personnel from the Forest Department,Coast Guard and Gujarat Pollution Control Board undertook a field assessment.

Chief Conservator of Forest R D Kamboch said: A survey by the Forest Department,Coast Guard and GPCB revealed the sill was around 50 litres. The cleaning process started from day one and so far no signs of damage has been reported.

An oil spill can pose a grave threat to the Marine National Park,especially parts of Narara Island,which is known to house a variety of hard and soft corals,sponges,lobsters,octopuses,dolphins and aquatic birds.

Kamboch said that officials from Essar have also collected samples for analysis.

The cleaning work is on. The sample collection process has begun,as constant monitoring is required. Samples collected from different sites will be tested daily to keep check on the water quality, Kamboch added.

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