Offshore exploratory drilling: Threat to Olive Ridleys By Sanjay Jena

Statescan
Orissa Newsletter
Offshore exploratory drilling: Threat to Olive Ridleys
By Sanjay Jena

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), Government of India, has permitted two Indian companies to carry out offshore drilling in the Bay of Bengal, off the Orissa coast during the current turtle season. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) of India Ltd and Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) have been given the green signal for exploratory drilling of 23 wells. But environmentalists fear that drilling by oil companies in Bay of Bengal could adversely affect rare Olive Ridley sea turtles movement in Orissa.

This decision of the Ministry contradicts the recommendations of the multi-disciplinary expert group (MEG). MEG was set up by the MOEF in December, 2003 to assess the likely impacts of the offshore exploratory drilling activities on the migration and congregation of the Olive Ridley sea turtles of Orissa.

The expert group had recommended that no drilling should be carried out in the offshore waters of Orissa coast during the turtle season from November to May till studies are carried out since there is no information available about sea turtles? activities in those areas. However, before such studies could be carried out, the MOEF has permitted drilling. This is feared to severely impact sea turtles.

ONGC has been allotted two blocks, one of which (MN-OSN-2000/2) with an area of 6,199 sq.km is located within 10 km of the highly sensitive Chilika lake. Spillages and blowouts from this area could destroy the lake'sfragile habitat, which is home to the highly endangered Irrawady dolphins and nearly one million migratory water fowl. RIL has been allowed to drill 20 exploratory wells in NEC-OSN-97/2 (NEC-25) block, which is perilously close to the Gahirmatha marine wildlife sanctuary, just 10 km away. This marine sanctuary is the world'slargest sea turtle congregation zone, pointed out Biswajit Mohanty of Wild Life Society of Orissa.

By permitting drilling before studies are carried out, the MOEF has violated the precautionary principle laid down by the Supreme Court of India. This principle states that where there are threats of serious and irreversible damage, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. The court has also held that it may be appropriate to place the burden of proof on the person proposing the activity that is potentially harmful to the environment.

The MOEF has specified that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) shall concurrently monitor the impact of exploration activities on the breeding, migration of Olive Ridley turtles. Since no baseline data is available now, the MOEF has stipulated that studies shall be undertaken to assess the impact of drilling, shipping, oil and gas exploration and transportation of oil/gas etc. on the seabed, marine wildlife particularly sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, whales, coral reefs, fishery resources and also on mangroves.

In the event of evidence of significant disruption in either aspect, the exploration activities shall be closed down for the breeding/migration season. Nowhere in the world is such a potentially harmful activity permitted with studies (paid for by the developer) being carried on concurrently. India does not have any environmental standards for offshore drilling in place.

Marine life is adversely affected by offshore exploration, according to a recent study by marine scientists Sandra Kloff and Clive Wicks on the effects of oil exploration on the West African coast. Seismic surveys, which are used to generate loud sound waves, can be dangerous to whales and dolphins. Fish catches in an area where seismic survey are taking place can be temporarily reduced by 40 per cent. Bright illumination due to flaring of gas will have disastrous effect on the adult and hatchling sea turtles since these lights can be seen upto 10-15 miles from the rig location. The Costa Rica government refused to open up its offshore areas for oil or gas drilling in 2002 in order to protect its world famous Olive Ridley population.

A recent fire in Bombay High platform destroyed some wells and caused spillage of crude oil. If an oil blowout happens at NEC 25, we would lose the Olive Ridleys of Orissa for ever . Their feeding and mating areas would be contaminated beyond repair, their nesting beaches smothered with oil destroying the eggs and hatchlings. ?No amount of money in the world would be able to ensure their return. The Olive Ridleys of Orissa are its ?living Taj Mahal?, priceless beyond doubt, which should be treasured and protected forever?, activist Mohanty said.