An Odisha minister, a ruling BJD MP, MLA and different organisations 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.
Odisha Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, BJD MP Tathagat Satpahty, party MLA Sanjay Dasburma, INTACH and Lok Shakti Abhijan opposed the setting up of a water aerodrome in the Chilika lake.
The ruling BJD also declined to welcome the proposal even though the state government in March this year had urged to Centre to set up a water aerodrome in Chilika lake.
"Let the detailed project report (DPR) on the proposal come to the fore. We cannot welcome the project unless the party knows its impact on the environment and ecology," said BJD spokesman Sasmit Patra.
Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said: "We are opposed to such a proposal. We'll draw the chief minister's attention towards such destructive idea."
Mohanty hails from Puri district. The Lake spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of the state.
Senior BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy in his twitter post wrote: "Quelle horreur! Proposed amphibian airport inside Chilika lake, one of the lergest brackish water lakes which gets thousands of winged visitors from around the globe, will surely make birds and marine life to vanish for ever. I strongly oppose such dumb ideas."
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.
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.
BJP MLA Dilip Ray also cautioned the state government to ensure proper protection of ecology before allowing a water aerodrome in Chilika lake.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Odisha, has written to the state government and the Centre requesting to reconsider the proposal of operating seaplanes in the Chilka Lake.
A B Tripathy, state Convener of INTACH said that the delicate ecosystem of this Ramsar site like Chilika lake, will be severely affected by water aerodrome.
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.
Lok Shakti Abhijan leader Prafulla Samantra also opposed the move.
However, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the state minister and BJD MLA for opposing the developmental project mooted by the Centre.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
