Challenge and response

From media accounts it would seem that the authorities have taken a few but likely not all of the preliminary measures that are vital for safeguarding the Sindh-Balochistan coastal belt from the devastating and long-lasting effects of an oil spill. To its credit, the provincial Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promptly ordered closure of operations of a nearby oil installation. The standard operating procedure in the event of an oil spill is to turn to top officials and workers of the facility and obtain response plans. An automatic impediment to this was the oil company’s refusal to accept that the oil spill was caused by a leak from an underground pipeline, as suspected by the EPA. Whatever the truth may be, it is clear the coast stretching from Mubarak village to Churna Island has been blackened, posing a threat to fish and precious marine animals and all those who depend on them for their livelihood. Fisherfolk have been left aghast.

Often it is the response plans of oil facilities that gird us more into the state of preparedness, as well as carrying out useful drills and providing information about potential spill hazards and responses to each. Even in the existence and implementation of these plans it is hard to guarantee full containment of the oil spill and ending the hazards posed to marine resources.

Hectic efforts must be made first to find the source of the oil slick. Plugging it would prevent the slick from spreading further. As soon as a clean-up operation can be started the better. Since the fate of the coastal belt is at stake the government would do well to buy or rent out if possible containment brooms and other specialised gear for the operation. Success in the fight against environmental pollution can only be won with the right plan, training, and materials.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2018.

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