Here's what he had to say:
Photo Source: Facebook
1) This is not a regular lake or pond clean-up. Oil spills are dangerous. Even if you are enthusiastic, think twice before showing up to the site. You must be aware of exactly what you are getting yourself into. 2) If you do come, then make sure you are with groups that provide the right gear. We are providing our volunteers with gum boots, extra-protective gloves and shovels to make sure they never have physical contact with the oil because that could be dangerous. 3) Don't breathe the fumes that are on-ground. We are providing volunteers with masks. 4) It's a hard task at hand and the heat is making things worse. Our volunteers generally spend a few hours in a day helping. 5) Make your health the main priority. No matter how much of protective gear is provided, it really is not enough. This is dangerous work and think twice.In case you don't want to volunteer at the site but still want to help out to aid in the clean-up, here's what Arun says you can do:
1) Use your social clout. Write to the government. Add pressure to the main authorities to make sure they take action and don't end up suppressing the damage done. 2) Part of the judiciary world? Take that route and see how you can help out through judicial options available to the public. A devastating effect on wildlife Arun says that it is imperative that everyone in the country works together in holding our leaders accountable when it comes to addressing this spill because it has already had a catastrophic effect on the local wildlife. "There has been tremendous losses in terms of the wildlife. Fish are washing up on the shore. And devastatingly, given that it is the nesting and breeding season for sea-turtles, they have become victims of this spill and sea turtles are already endangered. The Chennai coastal line is also home to dolphins and other species. We won't know the full effect until much later," he says.You may also like: Two Environmentalists Are Trying to Rekindle the Lost Bond between the Locals & the Forest at Panna
In case if you are still determined to volunteer, then make sure you diligently read these guidelines from the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. Contact EFI here