An extensive oil spill originating from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) refinery has wreaked havoc on the lives and livelihoods of over 20,000 people residing along the banks of the Buckingham Canal in Ennore, North Chennai. Environmental activists are labelling this man-made disaster as having severe and lasting consequences for fishers, surrounding ecosystems, and microhabitats endemic to Ennore Creek.
The oil deposits, which emerged from CPCL premises on December 4 during the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, found their way into the Buckingham Canal, flowing from south to north across the city, and eventually contaminating the Ennore Creek—an arm of the Kosasthalaiyar River—before entering the Bay of Bengal.
Local inland fishers, who depend on these water bodies for their livelihoods, are now grappling with the loss of income caused by this environmental catastrophe. Residents from eight affected villages—Kattukuppam, Thazhanguppam, Chinnakuppam, Periyakuppam, Nattukuppam, Ennore Kuppam, Sivanpadai Veedhi, and Mugathuvaara Kuppam—are urging immediate action from the state government to prevent such incidents in the future. Additionally, they call for the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd to be directed by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide compensation for their incurred losses.
Fishers share concerns that the damage to the ecosystem may be irreversible. The microclimatic conditions in the canal and nearby mangroves, crucial breeding grounds for fishes and prawns, have been severely impacted. Fishermen fear that it may take up to six months for nature to restore the habitat, even if anything survives the disaster.
Fishing community also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the restoration, expressing doubts about the health of the fish even if the habitat recovers. The incident further complicates the already challenging situation for Ennore fishermen, who have been facing years-long pollution issues affecting the river, water bodies, and the overall ecosystem. The community worries that the recent oil spill will distance customers, exacerbating their struggle to make ends meet.
