India's largest aquarium: Environmentalists up in arms against govt; demand project rollback

Hyderabad: Telangana government's ambitious plan to create India's largest aquarium and aviary in Kothwalguda, Hyderabad sparked a wave of opposition from animal activists, public policy experts, and environmentalists.

Critics argue that the project, instead of promoting conservation and animal rights, could adversely affect the natural ecosystem and human society.

Animal welfare concerns

Aditya SK, an animal activist, said that the project raises serious concerns about animal welfare. "Firstly, animal welfare concerns arise as the aquarium animals experience stress and harm. Secondly, capturing animals for these facilities damages the ecosystem and has proven to be harmful. Thirdly, the large amount of water used in aquariums, such as the touted 'largest aquarium in India' which requires over 3 million litres of water, is unsustainable and unjustifiable. Lastly, there are concerns about human-animal conflict and the spread of zoonotic diseases, with incidents of human injuries and the need for increased security. These factors greatly discomfort the animals and can impact human society negatively,” he said

Environmental impact concerns

Dr. Narasimha Reddy Donthi, a public policy expert, said that the project is also likely to hurt the environment. "Telangana government's proposal to establish an aquarium project in Kothwalguda in Hyderabad is not a well thought out idea. It appears to have been influenced by its constant encouragement to real estate investments and this project seems to be part of that. Kothwalguda is already part of the water conservation effort, as part of GO111, which tries to protect Himayatsagar and Osmansagar reservoirs.”

Dr. Narasimha Reddy added, “On the other hand, no environmental impact assessment has been done. there appears to be no concern for biodiversity, but parrying to crass commercial interests. The Telangana government is ignoring its responsibility to protect, conserve and promote biodiversity, including marine species. A state without sea, Telangana has to create educational resources on sea-based aqua life for students, children, and youth. The aquarium project is a poor and irrational tool for education. It is unsustainable and cruel.”

Sustainability concerns

Neha Raghuvanshi, an ecofeminist and animal welfare activist, said that there are more sustainable ways to educate people about marine life. "Embracing sustainable alternatives is essential to cultivate ocean consciousness and environmental awareness effectively. However, confining marine life in captivity falls short of achieving this goal. Aquariums and Aviaries cannot fully replicate the complexity and interactions found in natural ecosystems. It is essential to recognize that even with care, animals in captivity are inherently deprived of their natural behaviours.”

“Moreover, aquariums cannot authentically portray the alarming reality of our polluted and plastic-threatened oceans. We must look for innovative, technologically-driven alternatives that respect animals' natural habitats, allowing us to educate and inspire without disrupting their intrinsic connection to the sea.”

Considering the environmental perspective, the sheer scale of proposed water usage is alarming, raising legitimate concerns about the potential strain it will impose on already stressed local water resources. She adds, “The concerns are multiple, from ethical to ecological, but we are hopeful the government and authorities will revisit the proposal and forward initiatives deeply anchored in ethical approaches and sustainability.”

Legal action

Various animal organizations, citizen groups, and tollywood celebrities have joined the opposition against the project. Aditya SK mentions that a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed at the High Court, with the government serving a notice to respond. The next hearing is on August 4.

The notices were issued to the Special Chief Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, the Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, and the Commissioner, HMDA.

Proposed aqua marine park

HMDA's proposal for the aquamarine park in Kothwalguda eco park aimed to create India's largest facility, spanning a sprawling built-up area of over 2,50,000 sq. ft. at an estimated cost of ₹300 crores under DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) mode. The centerpiece of the park was planned to be a curved tunnel, boasting a minimum diameter of 100 meters, complete with a 3.5-meter walkway and a breathtaking 180-degree view. The capacity of the tunnel was designed to accommodate up to 2,500 visitors at a time. It will require 3 million litres of water for the overall aquarium, with the tunnel tank necessitating 2 million litres.