India's first oceanarium in Greater NOIDA

NEW DELHI: In another first for the National Capital Region (NCR), the country's first oceanarium is all set to open in Greater Noida by the year-end.

Developed as a part of a Venetian-themed tourist resort named 'Grand Venice', the $9 million Blue Planet aquarium is being developed as a joint venture between Indian real estate developers, the Bhasin group and Singaporean leisure and tourism company, Andover Leisure, reports Economic Times.

The project started with a desire to create something truly world class. I believe the Blue Planet will be a recreational, entertaining and educational destination," Bhasin group Managing Director, S.S. Bhasin said.

"The project started 4 years back and is nearing completion. We believe that the aquarium will be inaugurated in one go with the rest of the resort, by the year end," he added.

"People will get to see aquatic wonders such as sharks, penguins, walrus, octopus and dolphins," Bhasin said, about the major attractions of the public aquarium.

The aquarium will cover an area of 1 lakh square feet and the major exhibits will include huge sea-water tanks for large marine life like sharks and lion fish with acrylic tunnels for the tourists to walk through the aquarium itself.

The shark enclosure will have transparent bottomed boats for looking down into the water from the surface.

Besides the real fishe, the installation will also include choreographed underwater performances by entertainers dressed up like mermaids and mermen.

Andover group president, Sindu Hui Han Zhang, said that the oceanarium will be working with the Indian Oceanographic Society. Andover currently runs three public aquaria in China and is also charged with the upkeep and running of the Blue Planet.

Most of the modern oceanaria are usually set up near the sea, where sea water can be drawn naturally. On the other hand, offshore aquaria like Blue Planet maintain the salinity artificially.

The developers hope that the public aquarium will be a unique amusement spot which will draw tourists to itself and the 3 million square feet tourist complex which will also include a 5-star hotel.