3. CHILIKA LAKE
ï Asia's largest brackish water lagoon i.e. It is Asiaâs largest salt-
water lagoon and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a
sandy ridge.
ï Covers an area more than 1100 sq km along the east coast of
India in the state of Odisha.
ï The water spread area of the Lagoon varies between 1165 to
906 sq.km during the monsoon and summer respectively.
ï A 32 km long, narrow, outer channel connects the lagoon to
the Bay of Bengal
4. CHILIKA LAKE
ï Chilika lake is a designated âRamsar siteâ in 1981 by The
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
ï Chilika is one of the hotspots of biodiversity and shelters a
number of endangered species listed in the IUCN red list of
threatened species.
ï Chilika lake is an important habitat and breeding ground for
both resident and migratory and aquatic birds.
ï Migratory birds comes from Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral
Sea and Siberia parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia,
Central and southeast Asia and Himalayas.
ï Best time for tourism activities Nov-March
5.
6. Biodiversity in Chilika Lake
ï Major biodiversities are:
ï¶ Migratory birds
ï¶ Irawadi Dolphins.
ï¶ Bottolnose Dolphins
ï 726 species of flowering plants (496 genera and 120 families)
ï 800 species of fauna. ( including 24 mammalian, 37 reptile species)
ï Nearly 12lakh migratory birds comes in the peak season.
ï The lagoon hosts over 160 species of migratory birds in the
peak migratory season.
ï 45 percent of the birds are terrestrial in nature, 32 percent
are waterfowl, and 23 percent are waders. The lagoon is also
home to 14 types of raptors.
7. Eco-tourism in Chilika
ï Scenic natural flora and fauna of the lake are an
attraction for eco-tourism.
ï Provide a degree of alternative employment to the local
community
ï Generate
environmental awareness, among local
residents as well as visitors.
ï Different conservation activities are taken by local Govt.
as well as other bodies with wise use of the lakeâs natural
resources.
9. Eco-tourism points at Chilika
ï Nalbana Bird Sanctuary and Island
ï Satpada wetland and Dolphin view point.
ï Mangalajodi conservation center
ï Parikuda Island.
ï Kalijai Island.
ï Chilika Ecopark.
10. Threats to Chilika lake
ï Siltation due to littoral drift and sediments from the
inland river systems
ï Shrinkage of water surface area
ï Choking of the inlet channel as well as shifting of
the mouth connecting to the sea
ï Decrease in salinity and fishery resources
ï Proliferation of fresh water invasive species and
ï Migratory bird poaching.
ï Excess commercialization and motor boat.
ï Fights between fishermen and non-fishermen
communities about fishing rights in the lake and
consequent court cases
11. Conservation Activities
ï In 1992, the Government of Odisha, set up the
Chilika Development Authority (CDA).
ï The CDA was set up for restoration and overall
development of the lake under the administrative
jurisdiction of the Forest and Environment
Department.
ï To protect the Lake ecosystem with all its genetic diversity.
ï To formulate the management plan for Integrated Resource
Management and wise use of the lake's resources by the
community depending on it.
ï To
execute
multidimensional
and
multidisciplinary
developmental activities either itself or through other
agencies
ï To collaborate with various national and international
12. Conservation Activities
ï Local people are appointed as guard during the
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ï
ï
ï
migratory season of birds.
Plastics and other non degradable items are
banned at the Islands.
Provision of solar streetlight systems to island
villages.
Development of a ferry service for isolated
villages
Construction of landing facilities for fisher folk, as
well as education and environmental awareness
activities.