CDA Shoots Down Sea-Plane Plan In Chilika Over Ecological Concerns

Bhubaneswar: The Chilika Development Authority (CDA), in one of its report, vehemently opposed Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s water aerodrome and sea-plane proposal in Chilika, claiming that it was legally ‘unfeasible’.

The CDA cited The Wetland Conservation and Management Rule, 2017, to drive home the point. It was notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, which prohibits the conversion of non-wetland uses under Section 2(2)(i).

Principal Secretary, GA Department, Ashok Meena said the proposal for water aerodrome and sea-plane is legally unfeasible since Chilika is a designated wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

In its report, the CDA said that the paths of migratory birds and their habitats will be jeopardised by the movement of the aircraft and the noise generated by them. A million birds use the entire area of Chilika, particularly the shallow regions, and the avian guests migrate along the Central flyway. “The most enchanting feature of Chilika for tourists because of its avifauna might be lost forever,” the report said.

The report further said that the decrease in the birds will have a cumulative effect on bio-mass production and fish yield. A large population in Chilika depends on fishing. Besides, congregation of these birds also recycles the nutrients back into the system through guano deposits.

“Irrawady dolphins are known to be sensitive to sound and their breeding would be disturbed the aerodrome noise,” stated the report. This, the report added, can have an adverse effect on tourism. Other attractions in Chilika, prawns and flathead grey mullet, also a major catch might also be a prey of dwindling numbers as water aerodrome construction could lead to obstruction of their migratory routes.

Bird hazards, apart from these, will be a matter of serious concern. Floating platforms will not be permitted in fishing grounds as per Director General of Civil Aviation’s operational requirements for airworthiness for sea-plane operation, the report added.

Chief Executive, CDA, Susant Nanda said the report has been submitted to the government.

Last month, the Centre had formally proposed aerodrome at Chilika, Sabarmati River Front and Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat in the first phase.