The Underwater World continues.....

In India, entertainment is limited to pilgrimage places, amusement parks, museums, sanctuaries etc but one area with amazing potential and yet untapped is the prospect of Underwater tourism in India. Places like Malaysia, Singapore etc have realized and they are doing great business through these vast water land. Though India could be great locations to build something like a replica of the underwater tanks and tunnels. India has a vast coastal stretch from the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the lagoons of Lakshwadeep are breathtaking. we also have a number of lakes and rivers with a lot of unrealized potential for tourism.

Chilika Lake in Orissa is a hotspot of biodiversity and shelters a number of endangered species. Corbett national park provides an unforgettable experience to a nature lover. Fishing and angling in the rivers Ramganga and Kosi are like a dream come true for any angler. Sundarbans National Park known as the largest estuarine delta in the world, this Tiger land vibrates with countless forms of colourful life.The aqua fauna of Sundarbans include variety of fishes, red Fiddler Crabs and Hermit Crabs.There are crocodiles, which can be often seen along the mud banks. The park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtle. Sundarbans where adventure awaits you at every corner.

The best way to explore the marine life is to dive into the sea waters and share the company of marine creatures. Diving is one of the famous adventure sports which is practiced in various marine destinations in India which attract adventure freaks from various parts of the planet every year. Some of the fascinating places in India to have such marvellous experience include Haverlock Islands, Cinque Island, Snake Island, Rutland Island, beaches around Port Blair, Laskhwadeep Islands and sea waters in Goa. Here you can find Some of the main creatures which for Indian marine life include Thorny Oyster. Red Sponge, Sea Squirt, Leaf Fish, Redtooth Triggerfish, Scarlet Soldier Fish, Stender Sweeper Fish, Marbled Grouper Fish, Angel Fish, Giant Moray Eel, Poisonous Spotfin Lionfish, Camouflaged Scorpion Fish, Starfish, Whales, Dolphins, Thorny Oyster, Oriental Grunt and Coral Bracts. One of the major attractions of marine life in Andaman is Cinque Island which is famous for its deep sea coral gardens.

According to marine scientists in India archaeological remains of this lost city have been discovered 36 metres underwater in the Gulf of Cambay off the western coast of India. The vast city which is five miles long and two miles wide is believed to predate the oldest known remains in the subcontinent by more than 5,000 years.The team are suspecting Indus Valley Civilization because of the city-like structures at the location, and they found geometric patterns representing a granary, a "Great Bath" and a citadel. The site was discovered on 4th march,2002 by oceanographers from India's National Institute of Ocean Technology. Using sidescan sonar, which sends a beam of sound waves down to the bottom of the ocean, they identified huge geometrical structures at a depth of 120 feet. Debris recovered from the site including construction material, pottery, sections of walls, beads, sculpture, and human bones and teeth has been carbon dated and found to be nearly 9,500 years old . This can be a great site to promote underwater tourism and could prove to be of great help to archaeologists.

AQUARIUM

More and more people go to aquariums to learn something about the marine world, the great unexplored portion of our planet occupying 95 percent of the habitats on earth but most of them not aware of the actual marine life, what’s going on underneath of the water. By visiting aquarium folks can familiar with the marine system. Aquariums are launched for conservation of aqua species. Many of popular Aquariums spread out all over the world. Top ten Aquarium in the world are deep sea aquarium at Europe, Shedd Aquarium at North America, Two oceans Aquarium at Africa, London Aquarium at Europe, Ubatuba Aquarium at south America, waikkiki Aquarium at North America, Genoa Aquarium at Europe, Georgia aquarium at north America, Sydny Aquarium at Australia, Singapore Aquarium at Asia. Let’s have a glance on some of the splendid aquarium.

“world’s largest aquarium” is the Georgia Aquarium at USA. This marine and fresh water housing more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. The aquarium’s notable specimens include four young whale sharks, three beluga whales and a manta ray. Apart from the Adventure Aquarium, This aquarium is currently exhibit a Great Hammerhead Shark tin USA. USA having few world’s most excellent aquarium namely, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, Florida Aquarium. Their mission is to “entertain, education and inspire stewardship of the natural environment.”

The Underwater Adventures Aquarium is a public aquarium located in the Mall of America in Bloomington. The 1.2 million-gallon aquarium features sea turtles, octopuses, and lobsters and It is home for more than 5,000 aquatic creatures, including a large collection of sharks, seaturtles, stingrays and freshwater fish. Most marvellous feature is a clear, acrylic tunnel about the length of a football field which allows visitors to explore the underwater world while remaining dry. It’s really a lifetime occurrence. Underwater Adventures hosts many events like caviar tasting, largest jellyfish exhibit worldwide.

The Tennessee Aquarium is the highest rated aquarium in the USA and one of America’s top ten tourist attractions for overall guest satisfaction. Tourist can enjoy a remarkable journey with 10,000 animals. It ranked one for Chattanooga attractions. Chattanooga attraction is a thrilling riverboat cruise through the aquarium and also See 3D IMAX movies in the only Chattanooga movie theater with a six-story screen. The waterfront is very neat. The aquarium is an awesome place to visit and is great for children. They can learn a lot about the ocean and the river life. Ocean Journey delights guests with penguins, sharks, butterflies and often scuba divers who interact with guests. It also offers a high speed catamaran riverboat tour to remember. There are lots of fun things to do in Chattanooga, The Aquarium, Lookout Mountain and downtown area are great. 

Dubai Mall Aquarium is one of the largest aquarium in the world that holds more than 33,00o aquatic creatures where you can get up close and personal with. It also features Tiger Sharks, giant Groupers, graceful Stingrays and shimming shoals of pelagic fish. The largest mall in Middle East holds 1,200 stores, and is located at the foot of Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.

The Commercial Exhibits Division of Aquarium India focuses on the development and execution of public aquarium and Large Scale Aquarium Feature projects. Aquarium India''s Commercial Exhibits Division is a sole source company. They design project as well as thy do Project Management. While many companies may offer commercial aquarium services, Aquarium India offers the customer service and expert knowledge of commercial aquarium exhibits that is matched by none.

The Tamil Nadu government issued an order making available 15 acres for setting up an underwater world aquarium at Karikattukuppam village in Muttukadu on East Coast Road. The project is coming up under the public private partnership model. The government has also given its consent to utilise the services of the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructural Financial Services (TNUIFSL). Of the 39.04 acres available with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), 15 acres has been set aside for the tourist attraction on a 30-year lease period. Permission has been given to the TTDC Managing Director for taking up alienation of the remaining 16.86 acres after holding discussions with the Kancheepuram Collector and the Commissioner of Land Administration. Kadachenanthazl at Madurai is another paradigm of aquarium where they having many fish varieties.

The Indian oceanic splendor is the vertebrates like sea turtles, whales, alligators, bony fish and sharks or invertebrates like jelly fish, sea stars, octopus, corals, lobsters, shrimps and crabs, you get to explore every part of marine life here. Apart from this sea grasses like marsh grass, kelp bed and algae of various colours can be spotted in its sea waters. Looking into the potentiality of Indian water land we can introduce coral reef education or coral reef care tanks While coral reefs around the world are increasingly threatened by pollution, climate change and development . Through development of underwater world What effect it could have on the ecosystem is a debatable topic, but with carefully laid plans, it could be a wonderful treat for tourist, while preserving the delicate balance of nature. The effect of Underwater tourism on the Industry would be immense, as we can target the domestic as well as the foreign tourists. Being an extravagant venture, the cost involved will be high, however the returns would be manifold over a period of time. The government can also step in with support as part of the Incredible India! campaign, since underwater world in India would be a pioneer in its own rank.

Published in TRAVELOGUE VOLUME VI ISSUE 1, CHRIST UNIVERSITY, BANGALORE SEPTEMBER 2010