INTACH Asks Odisha Govt To Reconsider Chilika Lake Aerodrome Project

Bhubaneswar: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Odisha, has urged the state government and the Centre to reconsider the proposal of operating seaplanes in Chilika Lake.

In a release on Tuesday, state convener of INTACH, AB Tripathy, said the delicate ecosystem of the Ramsar site will be severely affected by such activities if the water aerodrome in the lake is set up.

“The eco-system of Chilika is already under severe strain and such operations will badly affect the lake and its environs. While the bird sanctuaries at Nalabana and the neighbouring lakeside villages have seen a resurgence of migratory birds since the last few years, operating a seaplane will spell the doom for them,” he said.

He further said that the Kerala Government had mooted the idea of operating seaplanes in 22 places and a detailed project report (DPR) had been prepared by the Pawan Hans. Test flights had been undertaken and the places for the hydrodromes identified. But the project was shelved as it was not feasible and its adverse impact on the ecosystem of the backwaters was also considered.

Tripathy said the coastal highway should not be made on the shores of the Chilka Lake. Instead, the stretch of the National Highway from Ganjam to Khurda should be incorporated as the coastal highway, he pointed out.

INTACH Project Coordinator Anil Dhir said that the world over, seaplanes are used at those places where road, air and ferry connectivity is difficult. The production and use of seaplanes worldwide is declining, he observed.

A former pilot, Dhir said that seaplanes are expensive to operate as they have a significant weight penalty. The floats itself cost 40 % of the price of the airplane.  They are slow and can carry only 8-10 passengers. Besides, the average flying time of 80% of the seaplanes all over the world is just 15-25 minutes.

“The seaplanes will have to be operated from Bhubaneswar or the Rangeiunda Airport at Berhampur with a flight time of less than 20 minutes. Hence, it will be illogical to operate flights to Chilika when one can reach Mangalajodi in 50 minutes by road. The travel time to Balugaon, Barkul , Rambha and Satapada is around an hour-and-a-half with excellent roads, he argued.

Terming the proposal ill-conceived, environmental activist and INTACH member Biswajit Mohanty said  that the proposal will  require clearances from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Environment and Forests, the DGCA, the CRZ authorities, local bodies, state Forest Department, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).

He further said that the eco-system of the lake is already over-stretched with the rising Ph level, salinity, siltation and the pollutants besides the illegal gherries.

“The manner in which the government is developing tourism in the lake should be reviewed.  There are 4000 tourist boats operating in different parts of the lake and the sound generated by these boats is already causing harm to the marine species,” Mohanty said.