A significant environmental threat has emerged along Tamil Nadu's southern coastline after plastic nurdles—small industrial plastic pellets—began washing ashore from the sunken cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3.
The spill has now reached the recently declared Dhanushkodi Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district, raising alarms among conservationists and local communities.
The MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged ship, sank off the coast of Kochi several weeks ago.
The vessel was carrying 640 containers, 13 of which held hazardous substances including 12 containers of calcium carbide. Additionally, it was loaded with 367 tonnes of furnace oil and 84 tonnes of diesel.
The full cargo manifest has not been made public, leaving the extent of the ecological risk unclear.
Among the worst-hit areas are ecologically sensitive zones such as the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, where the Dhanushkodi Sanctuary lies. Home to 128 bird species—including Greater and Lesser Flamingos—the sanctuary also provides critical habitats for marine turtles, molluscs, crustaceans, and fish. The region’s unique marshes, sand dunes, and seagrass beds lie along the Central Asian Flyway, a key route for migratory birds.
Nurdles, which resemble fish eggs, are often mistaken as food by marine creatures. Once ingested, they can cause fatal blockages and are known to absorb toxins, which then enter the food chain.
Environmental experts warn that the nurdles could also smother seagrass beds and coral reefs, impeding sunlight penetration and disrupting photosynthesis.
Reports indicate that nearly 80 bags, each weighing around 25 kilograms, have already been found scattered along a 12-km coastal stretch. Impacted locations include Dhanushkodi old church, Irattaithalai, Mugandharayan Chathiram, Gothanda Ramar temple, and Patchappatti village.
Ocean currents are believed to have carried the nurdles from the Kerala coast toward the Gulf of Mannar region.
Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon stated, "We've identified between 15 and 30 nurdle bags along the coast. A special team has been deployed for cleanup, and additional teams are monitoring for further debris." He urged residents to stay calm, assuring that authorities were responding swiftly.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster off Sri Lanka’s coast, which spilled 1,680 tonnes of nurdles and caused extensive marine mortality, severely affecting fisheries and ecosystems.
With Tamil Nadu's annual 61-day fishing ban set to end soon, local fishermen are growing anxious about the potential impact on fish stocks and market trust, fearing a decline in both availability and consumer confidence.
Cleanup efforts face logistical hurdles due to the nurdles’ lightweight, mobile nature. Monsoon waves threaten to further fragment them into microplastics, making recovery even harder.
Environmentalists have demanded immediate containment, full disclosure of the ship’s cargo, and long-term protection strategies to shield one of India's most ecologically vital coastal regions from lasting damage.