The state government on Tuesday informed the Orissa high court that the fisheries and animal resources development department has engaged an expert for studying the livelihood of Chilika fishermen.
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) has engaged a consultant to study the ecological impact on the lake in the light of the fishing policy the high court had ordered for. The HC was taking stock of the progress of finalisation of policy for fishing in Chilika.
Additional secretary revenue & disaster management department Diganta Routroy said Dr V Sampath, former advisor ministry of earth sciences had in a report indicated that the entire exercise of analysing the livelihood aspect of fishermen in the Chilika region, which needs to be made a part of the policy would take about four months.
Routroy said Dr Ritesh Kumar, director of Wetland International (South Asia), had submitted an interim report stating that the draft fishing policy would require introduction of measures for keeping the ecosystem of the lake in good health.