Odisha minister and MLA oppose water aerodrome in Chilika lake

An Odisha minister and a BJD MLA have opposed the Centre's proposal to set up a water aerodrome in the Chilika lake to promote tourism.

The opposition followed an in-principle approval by the union government to a proposal for setting up of five water aerodromes, including one at the Chilika lake, in the country.

"We are opposed to such a proposal. We'll draw the chief minister's attention towards such destructive idea," the state Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, who hailed from Puri district, said yesterday.

The Lake spread over Puri, Kharda and Ganjam districts of the state.

The proposed water aerodrome will affect the bio-diversity of the Chilika lake, the largest salt water lake of Asia, said local MLA and senior BJD leader Sanjay Dasburma said.

Dasburma urged the Centre to reconsider its decision to save the eco-system in the brackish water lagoon. He said setting up of a water aerodrome would affect livelihood of two lakh fishermen, migratory birds and dolphins.

However, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the state minister and BJD MLA for opposing the developmental project mooted by the Centre.