Bhubaneswar: The BJD and the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) have opposed the Centre's proposal to set up a water aerodrome at Chilika.

While Sanjay Das Burma and Rajendra Sahu, both BJD MLAs, raised the issue in the Odisha Assembly, the CDA wrote to the state government citing various reasons against the proposed project.

Operation of seaplane and water aerodrome at Chilika is likely "to cause irrevocable damage to the ecosystem and livelihood of people dependent on it". "The cost involved in the operation of sea plane seems outweigh the benefits likely to accrue from it. Besides, legally the project is not feasible," CDA chief executive Sushanta Nanda said.

"The legal provisions under the Wetland Conservation and Management Rule, 2017, is applicable to the Chilika wetland site. The rule strictly prohibits its conversion for non-wetland use. Construction of aerodrome is, therefore, not legally permissible at Chilika being a wetland site," Nanda stated in a report submitted to the government.

Floating platform will be installed for plane landing on the lake, which is home to vast range of aquatic animals including fish and migratory birds. "With one million birds congregating in the lake, the operation of seaplanes will be hazardous to winged species as they will either be sucked in the engines or hit by the planes during its landing. The bird hit will pose threat to air travellers."

The annual fish yield from the lake is to the tune of 1,400 tonnes. Two lakh fishermen, from 158 primary fishing co-operative societies, eke out a living from fishing in the lake. The water aerodrome will hinder the smooth movement of fish species mainly the juvenile ones. The sound and vibration during take-off and landing are likely to adversely affect the fish breeding. As a result, it is apprehended that the fish yield will make a nosedive. Resultantly, it will hit hard the bread and butter of fishermen communities living in the Chilika area.

The lake is also home to the endangered dolphin species. The noise pollution from the flight will distract these delicate aquatic animals, which are major tourist attraction. An estimated 5,000 families, who are entirely dependent on tourism sector, will be indirectly affected by water aerodrome project as tourists will be deprived of dolphin sighting trip.

The lake attracts lakhs of migratory birds every year. The water aerodrome would be a major distraction for the winged visitors. The lake is home to 230 bird species, of which 97 species are intercontinental migrants from Artic and Eurasian region. With the movement of seaplanes, the migratory path of the birds will be seriously jeopardised.

Though the exact location of the proposed water aerodrome has not been by authorities to the CDA, the operation of aerodrome on any given location of the lake will have far reaching adverse consequences on its fragile ecosystem. As a result, it will directly affect the livelihood of fisher folk depending on it.