Seaplane project safe: Panel

Expert committee says project will not harm environment and fisheries

The expert committee appointed by the Kerala government to assess the environmental impact of seaplane operations on inland water sources  said it would be not cause any harm to the ecosystem and fisheries in the state.

The committee, headed by tourism secretary Suman Billa recommended the introduction of seaplane services over Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes would be environmentally safe and would not adversely affect the fish production.  

A small  area ( 750 m x 25 m) is required for the landing and take off of the seaplane that is less than 2 hectares. This shows that the water area, which is unavailable for fishing is so negligible, when the extent of the total water body is considered. Noise pollution is also less compared with other transportation means.

A year ago, the tourism department had launched a pilot project in Ashtamudi lake in Kollam district but stopped due to stiff resistance from the fishermen community in the area. They apprehended the water turbulence due to the frequent operations of sea planes would badly impact the inland fish production.

The state government appointed a six-member expert committee in last August to study the possible impact on the ecosystem and the fish production.  

The tourism department had planned to extend the project to other coastal districts including Ernakulam and Kasaragod.

The committee also examined other locations for seaplane operations and identified Vattakayal near Kainakari in Alapuzha district as a suitable waterdrome for the project.  It recommended that the waterdrome  proposed at Punnamada should be shifted to Vattakayal since it is not serving as a major fishing ground.  The tourism department should make all efforts to see the seaplane project becomes a responsible tourism initiative in the backwaters protecting the ecosystem and the livelihood of the people living in the area.

The committee expressed concern over the alarming rate of shrinking of backwaters in Kerala. Launching of seaplane services will be useful to curb the shrinkage to an extent. It also stated other locations should be considered for the project and an expert committee could be appointed to find out the environmental feasibility. Clearance should be given only on a case-to-case basis, the committee said.

The committee also suggested programmes for the livelihood enhancement of the local fishermen such as cluster-based open water cage-farming. These innovative projected with the active participation of the local people,   will also attract tourists to the area.