Goan Beaches
Tons of waste oil has been dumped by an unidentified ship into the sea off western India. Tar balls created by this dump are washing up on Goa’s popular beaches according to official sources. Indian navy and coastguard vessels are searching for the ship responsible for this act that took place three days ago. If found the officials said that action would be taken against the perpetuator.
The beaches of Goa have been layered with semi-solid oil lumps brought in by wave after wave of tar balls floating ashore. An attempt made to clear the oily debris with brooms by civic workers was proving futile as more tar balls continued washing ashore.
The beaches had not been closed but visitors were few as the beach season begins only in October.
Ships regularly clean tanks and discharge the waste oil at sea, but this was a clear case of careless dumping which exceeded all proportions, said scientists at India’s National Institute of Oceanography, located in Goa.
SR Shetye, who heads the institute, said that crude oil mixed with water formed an emulsion resembling chocolate pudding, which was stretched and torn by wind and waves to form tar balls.
2.5 million Tourists visit Goa annually including a half million from the UK, Israel and Russia. Goa’s tourism industry is worried that news of the pollution could put off visitors during the season.
Many local companies offer cheap car hire options in Goa.