KARACHI, Sept 6: The much-needed beach cleaning operation on a massive level has failed to take a start as yet for various reasons, mainly the prevailing situation where the process of damage caused by the huge oil spill from the vessel, Tasman Spirit, is still under way, said sources privy to the operation.

It is learnt that authorities are still indecisive over many an actions to be taken. Even the presidential committee, which is supposed to ensure prompt implementation of various measures, aimed at restoration of the conditions along the beach; environment and ecology; and mitigation of the health loss already inflicted or feared to be inflicted on the citizens in times to come, is unable to hit on time, added the source.

The beach is under a constant threat of more crude oil striking it, while the fate of marine life is still unknown due to the oil pollution.

People from all segments of society — students, labourers, fishermen, etc., — are scared of the situation as no one is going to tell what actually they are going to face or what sort of environment hazards have already emerged or are to emerge in the days to come, said many of the concerned citizens.

Amid a reduced irritating foul smell in the air, some of the hotel-owners in the affected areas have resumed their business but no one knows how much invisible organic compounds, including hydrocarbons, are being inhaled by people in the area.

They talk about the compensation money likely to be utilized into the facelift for the coastline by the polluters, but the on-ground developments do negate the claim, added a high school students in the Clifton vicinity. He said it was unfortunate that a report on any initial inquiry on Tasman Spirit running aground and the subsequent unchecked discharge of about 30,000 tons of crude oil into the sea was still not in sight.

Insiders maintain that the whole process of beach cleaning is in limbo as organizations and government agencies are not on a same wavelength. Since there does not exist a disaster/crisis management body, everyone involved in the operation believes his own approach credible while an effective cleaning up operation at its peak is a far cry, said one of the regular participants of the coordination committee meeting. He said that the process of education and training was still on.

The beach cleaning efforts initiated earlier were paused only on the assumption that they were unscientific and ineffective. However, despite passage of about 40 days since the ship mishap, we are still rudderless and clean-up or damage-control measures could not go beyond acquisition of personal safety equipment supposed to be used by the workers involved in the operation.

It is learnt that the process of dumping of waste materials and oil-soaked sand collected from the beach, which was also stopped due to the non-availability of a permanent land fill site, could not be resumed so far. Lately, the city government designated a site for the purpose, but it could not be prepared on scientific ground so far, claimed a source.

Many of the organizations to be engaged in the restoration and rehabilitation works are short of equipment and gadgets and are looking at the salvagers and some international environmental group or club. None of them is prepared for a financial input as they are not sure of a prompt repayment from the owners of the ship or their agents, who are not available to the Sindh government’s committee as well.

Experts believe that apart from manual process involved in the beach cleaning which, to some extent, is carried out by the city government, DHA and KPT, there is a need for a scientific approach and process.

Referring to the method of bio-remediation, a source said that the Coordination Committee set up under the directives of President Musharraf, was still to make a meaningful progress in that direction.

It is learnt that scientists from Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission have offered their assistance with regard to the remediation methods, but a formal agreement or an approval by competent authorities is still due. The PAEC people had indicated that they would go for fertilization process, promoting growth of microscopic bacteria that ate hydrocarbons, which would consume a considerable amount of money and time.

It is said that no doubt the PAEC has the expertise in the bacteria promotion, but in order to produce them on a massive scale as anti-hydrocarbon agents would surely take five to six weeks after an order is formally placed.

The remediation process is also completed in phases and needs weeks to materialize.

In regard to the need of observing the pollution-affected people, it is learnt that the KPT had already started certain exercises, but the trend or results of different tests and sampling could not be known.

Talking to Dawn, provincial health secretary said that 10 mobile teams of doctors from the health department and DHA had been collecting blood samples from people living in the localities of Sheerin Jinnah Colony, DHA, Baba Bhit Shah and Boat Basin for an analysis.

Since September 1, our teams have collected about 400 blood samples, while another 200 samples are expected to be collected till Tuesday and I will be submitting a report by coming Wednesday, the secretary said. He, however, declined to reveal the trend while the analysis is in the process.

Sources pointed out that blood tests were conducted only on people who were detected as affected in initial tests conducted through different machines and as such it was needed that authorities should move fast to provide the due medial aid to oil-affected people.

OFFICIAL COMMITTEE: In the meantime, the Coordination Committee at its meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Qazi, on Saturday decided to acquire services of the experts from UNEP and PAEC to ascertain the extent of actual damage occurred due to spillage from the broken ship.

The meeting expressed its concern over the alleged attitude of the Tasman Spirit’s owners and insurance company for not taking interest in tackling the disaster, said a government handout.

The meeting also asked the departments concerned to utilize all possible resources for cleaning the beach besides gearing up the steps already on ground for health, ecology, environment and marine survey.