CHILIKA

Nov. 30, 2018

Environmental Activists are opposing the proposed water aerodrome project in Chilika lake as it will affect the biodiversity of lake and livelihood of fishermen depending on it.

About:

Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India.
Location: It is spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
Environmental significance:
- Chilika lagoon is visited by lakhs of migratory birds every year.
- In 1981, it was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention due to its rich biodiversity
Nalbana Island is a major island in the center of the Chilika lake. It has been notified as a Nalbana Bird Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Waterdome project:

A ‘water aerodrome’ refers to an area of open water that can be used by seaplanes and amphibious aircraft to land and take off.
On August 11, Union Government gave in-principle approval to the proposed waterdome project in Chilika lake.
However, environmentalists fear that, sound pollution will discourage migratory birds from coming to Chilika. It will also affect the fish and other marine life in the lake, thereby affecting the livelihood of the fishermen.

Source : Indian Express