Despite directives from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to “not entertain” the proposal for the construction of a dolphin park in Sindhudurg district, the State government is still strongly defending the Rs 510 crore project. Experts in Pune’s Science and Technology Park, a Central Government institute, have been asked to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to justify the State government’s plan.
Opposition to the project meant to promote the State’s coastline, and to be constructed on the lines of Seaworld in Orlando, USA, has been coming from animal activists and environmentalists alike. Last week, Ric O'Barry, director of Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to “take immediate action to stop the Sindhudurg proposal before it proceeds”. Writing on behalf of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), he stated that “dolphins do not cope well in cramped, artificial environments” and that “keeping them in captivity is morally and ethically indefensible.”
However, Dr Sarang Kulkarni, a marine biologist with the Science and Technology Park, who is in-charge of preparing the DPR rubbished the fears. “The opposition is based on half knowledge. There are lots of misunderstandings,” he told The Hindu on Thursday. The project had received an in- principal approval in October last year, based on the interim technical feasibility report prepared by the same institute.
The hostility from Mr O’Barry and similar organisations has put the government on the defensive. Recently, Maharashtra Tourism minister Chagan Bhujbal reportedly said, “Anything and everything is facing opposition from NGOs. This is not good for the state's development as a tourist hub,” reacting to Mr O’Barry’s letter to the Chief Minister.
But it is not just the activists who have opposed the project. The MoEF had received several petitions from activists, which prompted it to write to the Maharashtra government in December last year, its letter said. The ministry had stated that the project violates several sections of the Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972.
Adding to that, the ministry also quoted the Central Zoo Authority which stated, “The objective of the said water park does not conform to the objective of its operation, i.e., conservation of wildlife, as laid down under Rule 10 (1) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.” It further said, “the operation of the Water Park for extracting performance out of the animals shall also be violation of Rules 10 (11) (2) of Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.”
The Central Zoo Authority also observed that “from the similar proposal received in the past and those who acquired Dolphins/ other live marine animals lead to the death of the animals because of ill-preparedness on the part of management of the organization and inadequate care of the animals that are so difficult to maintain in captivity.”
It was based on these observations that the MoEF then told the Maharashtra government, “You are requested not to entertain the proposal for construction of Dolphnarium/Water Parks' at Sindhudurg.” Added to that, the State government had proposed to undertake the project in Public-private partnership (PPP) model, which is meant for commercial purpose, and not permitted under Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972, the MoEF noted.
Dr Kulkarni maintained that the project will take care of conservation and will be within the Indian legal framework. “We are committed to conservation and we are following a pro active approach to sustainable development,” he stated.
Sources in the Tourism Ministry stated that the DPR will help the State government to “deal with the MoEF.” Assuring that the project will be in the limits of the Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972, a senior official in the ministry stated that the sole objective will be to promote tourism and “explore the biodiversity of the region.” An appropriate place in the Malvan town of Sindhudurg district has been chosen for the project, he revealed. “There are dolphins in the region, so will not bring them out of their natural habitat. We have not yet decided if they will be kept in tanks or aquariums. But we will take care of the animals. This will be a huge boost to the tourism of Maharashtra.”
Highlighting the plight of the dolphins, Mr O’Barry’s letter to Mr Chavan said, “Even the largest aquarium in the world cannot begin to compare to the vast, complex ocean habitat where dolphins are meant to be. In tanks, their social and familial relationships are left in tatters and their ability to communicate is severely compromised. Dolphins in aquariums – even those born in captivity – quickly become depressed, stressed and volatile.”
Published - March 01, 2012 08:09 pm IST
