Committee formed to analyse the cause of red colour of Promenade Beach, Puducherry and take remedial action

A committee has been established by the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) main Bench to investigate the reason behind Puducherry's reddish sea.Judge Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel's bench, hearing a suo motu case based on a report in The Hindu about a reddish tinge seen on the northern side of the Promenade Beach on October 17, directed the panel to determine the reason behind the colour change and take corrective action to avoid such an incident.

A senior scientist nominated by the director of the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Parangipettai, a nominee from the head of the University of Puducherry's marine biology department, and a nominee from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) will make up the committee. 

Citing the research, the Bench stated that an algal bloom may be the source of the colour shift. A reddish tint was seen in various places along the coastline, and it had been suggested that industrial pollution or "Red Tide" may be the cause of the reddening of the water.

The PPCC Member Secretary reported to the Bench that, with the exception of October 17, the incidence was noted on October 24 and November 1; samples were taken on each of those three days. He has not denied the possibility that industrial pollution was the cause of the occurrence. The Bench said, "He has also informed me that red tide is caused by red pigments in the Noctiluca genus of marine dinoflagellates. 

The analytical report must be sent in before the southern zone of the Tribunal, to which the case has been moved, according to a bench decision that was issued two months ago.