Gujarat: Tarballs paint picturesque Nargol beach in Valsad black

SURAT: The pristine and picturesque Nargol beach has turned black and unwelcoming yet again, thanks to the blanket of tarballs that the shining yellow sand has pulled over itself.
In a repetition of the annual spoiler, tarballs and oil residue have re-emerged on the beach during this monsoon after the last episode on August 5, 2021. This year, however, the oily mess has happened 20 days late.
Sarigam regional office of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has collected samples for testing. "Results of the tests done in the past confirmed that the mess is owing to oil brought by the waves to the shore, but its source is yet to be traced. In the high seas, the Coast Guard can investigate the source of the oil under the National Oil Spillage Disaster Management Plan," A O Trivedi, regional officer, GPCB, Sarigam told TOI.
"The oil forms tarballs which gradually dissolves into the beach sand. We informed the local authorities and they are getting it collected to be disposed of in a solid waste disposal site," Trivedi added.
"The tarballs have covered the beach in the past couple of days. To prevent damage to the beach as well as health of the locals, the panchayat is removing the oil residues using earth movers," said Sweety Bhandari, sarpanch, Nargol.
Preliminary inquiry by GPCB officials revealed that the oil residue is pushed towards the coast due to the sea's current that flows towards the land during this period.
"It is suspected that the oil is discharged into the sea during drilling work. The oil keeps on floating in sea and drifts towards the coast with the current," an official said.