August 11. “Button, the oil spill three kilometers off the Mumbai shore has caused a lot of concern.”

“How did the oil get spilt in the first place?”

“Two ships, MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia-III collided causing a fuel leakage from its tanks.”

“Is it very bad?”

“The authorities will do everything to deny that the leakage is serious but it is sure to cause damage to fish, marine life, birds, on coastal marshes and mangroves, on wildlife habitats and on beaches.”

“How does it cause damage to fish?”

“When oil stops floating on the surface, it sinks to the bottom of the sea, to reduce the oxygen content in the water that kills or contaminates fish and smaller organisms important to the underwater ecosystem.”

“And the beach. How will we go for a walk on the beach?”

“The oil coats and clings to every rock and grain of sand.”

“And what are the authorities doing to get rid of the oil?”

“The captains concerned have washed their hands off saying they are not at fault and the coast guard chief has given an interview saying—there is no reason to get alarmed. He is convinced that the spill is a disaster only when the quantity of oil runs into lakhs of tons. In this case, it is only 800 tons.”

“Is that right?”

“I have no idea. A spill is a spill—Little or lots.”