| Dolphinarium planned for Kerala, India
The Government of Kerala is planning to develop an Oceanarium spread over 44 acres at New Vypeen in Kochi, South West India on a Public Private Partnership model with an investment of Rs 300 crore (approx. GBP38 million). The proposed Oceanarium which will be launched by 2010 is expected to be the largest in South East Asia. The Government of Kerala, Ministry of Earth Science and Government of India will hold 49 per cent stake and the remaining 51 per cent will be allocated to private parties.
 The Oceanarium will have a 250 meters glass tunnel passing through the sea. A dolphinarium and a general aquarium will showcase dolphins and different variety of fish from all over the world. An International Marine Biological Research Centre and Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology Centre and a convention centre will also be part of the project along with space for events and cafeteria.
The government of Kerala has decided to allot 50 acres of land to Kerala State Fisheries Department for this project, of which ten acres will be allocated to the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology Centre.
Take action
It is important to show Kerala officials that there are more sustainable ways to promote tourism in the area than to authorise the housing of dolphins in captivity via this new project. Please write a polite letter/email asking them to reconsider the plans to include cetaceans in this project, and instead to promote seeing wildlife in India in its' natural habitat.
Hon. Shri. R.L. Bhatia
Governor of Kerala
no email contact available, fax: 00 91 471 2720266
Sri. V.S.Achuthanandan
Chief Minister of Kerala
email
Sri. Binoy Viswam
Minister for Forest, Wildlife protection and the Environment
email
Sri. S. Sharma
Minister for Fisheries
email
Shri. G. Harikumar
IFS
Director,
Directorate of Fisheries
email
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