Kavaratti Islands(Lakshadweep):
On August 15 this year, Lakshadweep was abuzz with activity as Nand Aparajita, a cargo barge carrying cement to the islands, hit the rocks and was stranded. Even then, concerns were raised that it could have hit the coral reef which is the lifeline of the island. Concerns that are still not addressed.
The situation is grave and more so for the Kavaratti Island where survival depends on the safety of the reef and lagoon.
However, now after two months, salvage operations had to be called off due to strong wave action. The vessel too is not in the best of its shape. The ramp constructed to reach the barge has crashed.
Though Essar, the company owning the vessel, claims that they are deciding on the next course of action, there is a possibility that the ship may be declared a wreck.
A former member of the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) advisory committee on Lakshadweep, Misbah said, "There are three international shipping routes passing through Lakshadweep's waters. So there are chances of ships getting wrecked on these islands. Maybe we need more modern equipment to improve the whole things to guide the shipping fleet properly."
But the cause of concern is not just the safety of the reef, the immediate damage, however, is from the residual oil and chemical contamination from AF paint abraded from the ship's hull. A proper assessment of the damage can only be made after the ship is salvaged or broken up. But it will definitely take decades for that area to return to pre-impact levels.
"Definitely it will damage marine life," said Thaha PP, the Technical Assistant to the Department of Science and Technology Lakshadweep.
The weather conditions at the Lakshadweep Islands have been unusual this year. The temperatures recorded were higher than normal. Coral bleaching is rampant which is not good news. The Islands' capability to guide ships with existing infrastructure is under the scanner as it doesn't even have radar to guide ships. With all this, the shipwreck. More trouble ahead for Lakshadweep.