The Rs. 450-crore Oceanarium project proposed at Kochi will face its first major test on Tuesday when it will be scrutinised for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance.
B. Madhusoodana Kurup, the Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, will make a presentation before the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority seeking clearance. The project, which was proposed during the previous LDF regime at Puthu Vypeen, had been delayed by a couple of years. Recently, the State Fisheries resource Management Society, which is taking the lead in implementing the project, had obtained an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report prepared by an Hyderabad-based agency.
One of the major concerns that were raised during the inception of the project was its impact on the mangrove vegetation in the region. The proponents had suggested to carry out compensatory planting of mangroves in the Vembanad wetland system.
It is up to the authority to decide on the extent of mangrove that has to be replanted. Around 25 per cent of the mangrove vegetation that could be affected by the implementation of the project would be restored in the project site itself as part of the oceanarium, he said.
It is estimated that mangrove vegetation spread over 25.16 acre would be destroyed during the execution of the project. “Mangrove afforestation has been proposed in 40 acre at appropriate locations within the Vembanad-Kole wetland system as a compensatory measure. The Valanthakkadu area in Maradu village, identified for the compensatory planting, is suitable for mangrove afforestation/population enhancement,” according to the EIA report.
The proposal for setting up a dolphinarium along with the oceanarium was dropped. However, there would be a polar pavilion where exotic marine animals like walrus, otter and sea lion will be present. There will also a stadium facility to host seal shows, according to the EIA report.
There would be shark tanks, a marine heritage pavilion, traditions and cultural traits of fishermen community and underwater archaeological artefacts. A restaurant with underwater vision, sheltered walk-way, an aquarium alley with more than 80 aquariums, an aqua terrarium which exhibits the underwater habitations and an estuary tank and lagoon exhibits with the marine species and coral reefs of Lakshadweep Sea are also part of the project.