Forests Department Plans Restoration of Mangroves Affected by Ennore Oil Spill

The Environment, Climate Change, and Forests Department (ECCF) is formulating a plan to restore mangroves impacted by the recent oil spill in Ennore Creek. The spill, originating from the premises of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) during Cyclone Michaung, has adversely affected the mangroves in the area.

The ECCF, in collaboration with specialized agencies like the Centre for Environmental Studies at Anna University and M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, is working on the restoration efforts. The mangroves, crucial for marine species’ breeding grounds, were already facing challenges from industrial effluents.

The ECCF is conducting a rapid biodiversity assessment to gauge the spill’s impact on soil, biota, birds, and turtles. Cleanup operations, involving around 700 people and various equipment, are anticipated to conclude by December 21.