In an effort towards streamlining dolphin tourism in Chilika lagoon, Chilika Development Authority (CDA) is planning to restrict movement of boats inside the brackish water.

Tourists aspiring to see the Irrawaddy dolphin often return disappointed as it is very difficult to spot them. "Unregulated human activities in the lagoon may be scaring them," said CDA chief executive A K Patnaik. 

The CDA will create no-go zones, where thick population of the marine mammals inhabit, and fix the maximum number of boats which could go near the zones without causing them any harm as per a TOI report.

This would ensure minimum disturbance to the threatened species and facilitate assured sightings for visitors, Patnaik said.

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is conducting a study on Chilika dolphins, while Tokyo University has started another. The number of boats to be allowed at one go would be ascertained based on the results of these studies, Patnaik said.

Though the population of Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika is one of the highest populations of dolphins in a lagoon, these are less studied. In order to develop a long term strategy for their conservation, understanding of their underwater behaviour in wild environment is essential. Two scientists from Tokyo University, Harumi and Kojima, who are in Odisha to undertake another long-term study of the dolphins' behaviour, said the dolphins can now be monitored in real time from remote locations through an Internet-enabled system.

The CDA in association with Tokyo will soon install a permanent station near Rambhartia, Patnaik said.

The long-term study will strengthen safe dolphin watching protocol, evolving carrying capacity of mechanized boats in dolphin habitat and strengthening the population assessment of Irrawaddy dolphins through visual and acoustic observation.

It will also help evolve safe distance between Irrawaddy dolphin and tourist traffic based on real time acoustic data. The results of the above study would be incorporated in developing dolphin watching protocol based on acoustic principles for socio-economic benefits of the local fishing community, CDA sources said.