The oil spill has now spread over 20 sq. km. across Joymoni, Nandobala, Andharmanik and Mrigomari in the Sundarbans. According to environmentalists, the spill of this scale poses a grave threat to the ecology of the largest mangrove forest in the world.
"The oil is spilling off in the river," said Captain Mehedi Masud, Contingent Commander, Mongla Coast Guard. "The ship was anchored on the Shela river at the forest's Chandpai range during the night. It started around 5 a.m. amid dense fog. An empty cargo ship 'Total' rammed it from behind."
The onus now lies on the authorities to get their act together and contain the spill as soon as they can. They must not hesitate to seek help from other countries in containing this spill that could have long-term impacts on the ecology of the region.
Professor Dilip Kumar Dutta of the environmental science department at Khulna University has already warned that the oil spill will have long term, damaging effect on the coastal ecology of the Sundarbans. “Because of a lack of water flow in downstream areas, the tidal surge in the Bay will not be able to sweep the oil spill off quickly, which in the long term, will affect the ecological balance of the Sundarbans." he said.
