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| CDA plans noiseless boats in Chilika |
| BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Berhampur Sep 03, 2009, 00:32 IST |
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The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) has taken the initiative to encourage the use of noiseless mechanized boats in the Chilika lake, the biggest brackish water lagoon in Asia
Ahmedabad-based National Innovation Foundation (NIF) under the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India has agreed to provide the technical know-how to the innovators to redesign their boats to operate in the lake.
The initiative was taken by CDA after Vijay Kelkar, chairman, Financé Commission visited the lake in February this year and pointed out the problem of noise pollution in the lake which disturbed the visitors as well as the flora and fauna in the lake.
About 4000 mechanised boats are plying in the 1165 sq km vast lake for the purpose of the fishing and also to carry the tourists. The boat operators generally used the 9HP Greaves marine diesel engines in the mechanized boats.
The engines are noisy and the noise created by them is beyond 90 decibel, which is detrimental to the dolphin population, creating considerable disturbances for the migratory birds.
The noise level is also beyond the permissible level of 80 decibel for human being, an environmentalist pointed out.
It may be noted the Chilika is the largest wintering ground for the migratory waterfowl and about 10 lakh birds belonging to 225 species congregate in the lagoon in winter. The lake also harbours the largest lagoon population of Irrawaddy dolphin (146 in 2009) in the world.
A team of innovators and engineers of the NIF had recently visited the Chilika lake and inspected the boats and its engines..
The team however suggested the need for designing sound- proof casing for the boat engines to reduce the present level of noise in line with the same principle adopted for silent generators, said the chief executive of the CDA, Ajit Patnaik. “The CDA will provide logistic support including the boats, boat engine and also travel expenses of the innovators and the expenses for buying articles, instruments and accessories. Besides accommodation will be provided to them for developing the prototype”, Patnaik said. NIF has also agreed to co-ordinate with the engine manufacturer for exploring the possibility of tepid modification, he added.
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