Kovalam Beaches Choked by Plastic Pellets Again

Plastic pellets and other debris from the sunken MSC Elsa 3 are once again contaminating the beaches of Kovalam and surrounding areas in Thiruvananthapuram. Strong monsoon waves are actively bringing waste from the sea onto the shores. This recurring pollution is prompting fishers to demand an immediate resumption of beach cleaning activities.

The ship, which sank near Kochi almost a year ago, has its debris resurfacing due to rough sea conditions. Marine life experts warn that pelagic fish, such as tuna, may ingest these plastic granules. If not removed daily, the waste risks being buried by subsequent tides, making cleanup more challenging.

Concerns have been raised that the shipping company's previous cleanup efforts were incomplete. Despite a firm being hired, the work was reportedly halted prematurely. Now, with the monsoon's increased wave action, debris that settled at the seabed is being unearthed and deposited on the shore, necessitating urgent government intervention for waste removal.