Short-term study to assess impact of nurdle spill along Kanniyakumari coast

WITH large quantities of plastic nurdles continuing to wash ashore along the Kanniyakumari coast and fears mounting over possible spread to the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, the state government has swung into action to contain the environmental fallout from the cargo vessel that sank off the Kerala coast on May 25.

- SV Krishna Chaitanya @Chennai

Chief Secretary N Muruganandam on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to chalk out a coordinated response plan. Collectors from Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, and Tirunelveli participated, along with officials from the Department of Environment, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, National Institute of Ocean Technology, and National Centre for Coastal Research.