Kolkata, July 1 (IANS) Extending support for West Bengal's planned tunnel aquarium, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday urged the state government to prepare a proposal, saying the central government would help take the project forward after considering its feasibility.
"The Zoological Survey of (ZSI) India has an aquarium in Digha which has been modernised. This is along the sea so if you transform it into a tunnel aquarium then it will be very good as a tourist attraction.
"So we have requested state Minister of Environment Sovan Chatterjee to prepare detailed project report (DPR) and a proposal so that with the help of Centre, state and other stakeholders we can build a tunnel aquarium on the lines of the Singapore aquarium," he said.
"If the DPR is found to be feasible then we will consider it and take it forward. We will take a decision on it very soon," he said.
He was at the National Conference on faunal diversity in the Indian land and seascapes.
Javadekar urged the state governments to work together with the central government for country's development.
"Since this is federalism... this is Sangha rajya... central and state government can join hands and work together so that we can achieve everything. Elections are meant for that specific time but for the rest of five years we have to work for country's development," he added.
Javadekar also announced the launch of ZSI's museum.
"ZSI's museum modernisation is almost complete and we will inaugurate in the next two-three months. Both Chatterjee and I will do it. We will also invite state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. We have to do it because we need to highlight the legacy of pure science and take it forward," he said.
Javadekar also commended Chatterjee, who is also Kolkata's mayor, on his popularity.
"It is a reflection of his popularity that he is both a mayor and a minister," he said.
