Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake
Coordinates	19°43′N 085°19′E
Type	Brackish
Primary inflows	35 streams including Mahanadi River
Primary outflows	old mouth at Arakhakuda, new mouth at Moto, to Bay of Bengal
Catchment area	3,560 km2 (1,374.5 sq mi)
Basin countries	India
Max. length	64.3 km (40.0 mi)
Surface area	min.: 740 km2 (285.7 sq mi) max.: 1,165 km2 (449.8 sq mi)
Max. depth	4.2 m (13.8 ft)
Water volume	4 cubic kilometres (3,200,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation	0 – 2 m (6.6 ft)
Islands	Template:Km2 to mi2: Badakuda, Honeymoon, Kalijai Hill, Kanthapantha, Krushnaprasadrah (Old Parikuda), Nalabana, Nuapara and Sanakuda.
Settlements	Puri and Satpara

Chilka Lake (Chilika Lake) is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Orissa state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Mahanadi River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the World.It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. The lake is a highly productive ecosystem with rich fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher-folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands..

In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

History

Geological evidence indicates that Chilika Lake was part of the Bay of Bengal during the later stages of the Pleistocene period (1.8 million to 10,000 years BP). Shark teeth found during excavations at Golbai indicates that people probably ventured into the lake since at least the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods (2100 BCE–1100 BCE). Ptolemy (150 CE), the Greek geographer, referred to Palur as the port ‘Paloura’, located close to the point of departure situated outside of the southern tip of the lake at Kantiagarh, from where ships bound for different parts of Southeast Asia sailed. Chinese Pilgrims Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang who visited Odra in 639 mention a famous port "Che-li-ta-lo " near the shore of the Ocean which was a thoroughfare and resting place for sea-going traders and strangers from distant lands.

A fourth century legend, often told to explain the birth of Chilika, states that the pirate king, Raktabahhu, planned to attack Puri with a huge fleet of ships. He stealthily anchored off the mouth to the sea, out of sight, to avoid detection. The deception was revealed by ships' refuse floating to the shore, thus warning the town’s people, who escaped with all their possessions. Raktabahu felt betrayed when he found an abandoned town and directed his fury towards the sea that had betrayed him. The sea parted to let the army march in, then surged back, drowned the army and formed the present lake.

In some ancient texts it is mentioned that the southern sector of Chilika was a major harbour for maritime commerce, back in the days when the King of Kalinga was known as Lord of the Sea.

Marine archeological explorations have recorded discovery of Seventh Century ship anchors and stone memoirs dedicated to battle heroes at an obscure village named Kanas, about 25 km (15.5 mi) from Chilika on the banks of Nuna river, which flows into the lake. This testifies to the fact of a historic naval war off the coast.The Brahmanda Purana (10th century) mentioned the maritime activities of Chilka Lake where thousand of ships were floating for trade to Java, Malaya, Singhala, China and other island countries. In 1803, the British entered the shores of the lake, reached Puri and occupied the Orissa state with the help of Fateh Muhammed. Fateh Muhammed in turn was rewarded by the British with the freehold of the areas of Malud and Parikud, of the present day Garh Krishnaprasad revenue block.

Over the years, Poets including Kabibar Radhanath Ray and Pandit Godavarish Mishra, Freedom fighters and Saints have extolled historicity of the lake as pertinent to its cultural, spiritual and religious aspects.

“Gopabandhu Das who was an Oriya famous poet became impatient to see the beauty of the march of colorful sights and sounds of Chilika lagoon while going by train. He asked the speeding train to stop for a moment so that he could enjoy the beauty. It is because of the beauty that arrests him much”.

Geography and Topography

Map of Chilka Lake showing Nalaban Island, Chilka Bird Sanctuary, Dolphin Sanctuary, Puri town and Malud peninsula. The narrow barrier beach on the Bay of Bengal is not labeled.

Chilika Lake is a shallow bar-built estuary with large areas of mudflats. The western and southern margins of the lake are fringed by the [[Eastern Ghats hill range.

Several inland rivers, which bring silt into the lake, control the northern end of the lake. A Template:Km to mi long barrier beach called Rejhansa, formed by northerly currents in the Bay of Bengal, forms the eastern side and has resulted in the formation of this shallow lake. As an ephemeral lake, it’s water surface area varies from 1,165 km² (449.8 sq mi) in the summer monsoon season to 906 km² (349.8 sq mi) in the winter dry season.

The lake has numerous islands. The larger islands lie between the barrier and the main body of the lake, separated by shallow channels. A total Template:Km2 to mi2 of channels connect the lake with Bay of Bengal. The six major islands are Parikud, Phulbari, Berahpura, Nuapara, Nalbana, and Tampara. These islands, together with the peninsula of Malud, constitute the Krishnaprasad Revenue Block of Puri District.

The north shore of the lake is part of Khordha District and the western shore is part of Ganjam District. Due to siltation, the width of the barrier has fluctuated and the mouth to the sea has periodically been closed. The location of the mouth has also frequently shifted, generally towards the northeast. The mouth which was 1.5 km (0.9 mi) wide in 1780 was only .75 km (0.5 mi) forty years later. The local fisherfolk, to maintain their livelihood, had to cut open the mouth regularly to gain access to the sea for fishing.

The water depth of the shallow lake varies from 0.9 ft (0.3 m) to 2.6 ft (0.8 m) in the dry season to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) to 4.2 m (13.8 ft) in the rainy season. The width of the channel into the sea, now reported to be about 100 m (328.1 ft), is known as Magarmukha (Mouth of the Crocodile). The lake is divided into four separate zones namely, the southern, central and northern sectors and the outer channel area. A 32 km (19.9 mi) long outer channel connects the lake with the Bay of Bengal at Arakhuda village. The lake is pear shaped and has a maximum length of 64.3 km (40.0 mi) with a mean width of 20.1 km (12.5 mi).

Geology

The lake is of estuarine character in an ephemeral environment. Geological studies have indicated that the coastline extended along the western shores of the lake in the Pleistocene era with its northeastern region lying under the sea. That the coastline has moved eastward over the ages is supported by the fact that the nearby Konarak Sun Temple, built originally on the seashore a few hundred years ago, is now about 3 km (1.9 mi), away from the coast.

The catchment area of Chilika lake is composed of rocky, sandy and muddy substratum. It contains a wide range of sedimentary particles such as clay, silt, sand, gravel and shell banks. Out of those particles, the major part of the catchment area is silt. Around 1.6 MT/year million tones of sediment is deposited in Chilika lake by rivers Daya and Bhargavi and several streams.

It is conjectured that a rise in worldwide sea levels over the last 6,000–8,000 years occurred with a pause in the rise of sea level about 7,000 years ago, which could have resulted in the formation of a sandy beach near the coast at the Southern sector. With rise in the sea level, the sand beach grew gradually, progressed seaward and to the northeast and formed the spit of Chilika. A fossil unearthed from the southwestern edge of the spit indicates that the lake was formed about 3,500–4,000 years ago. The abrupt change in the direction of the coast north of the lake, strong winds shifting sand to the shore, long shore drift (littoral drift), the presence or absence of strong river and tidal currents in different areas are the reasons attributed for the growth of the spit.

White bands of coral in the southern sector, at a height of 8 m (26.2 ft), above the present water level, shows that the area was once marine and that the water was much deeper than present. The chronological development of the outer barrier spit of the lake has been dated by Optically stimulated luminescence studies of minerals. This was done on sixteen samples of the lake bed. The studies indicated "doses of between 153 ± 3 mGy and 2.23 ± 0.07 Gy, corresponding to ages from 40 years at the top of the spit to 300 years at the bottom. The youngest ages are consistent with the age of the overlying vegetation. A clearly defined period of >Template:Mi to km of barrier construction 40 years ago is identified. Prior to that the deposition rate was relatively constant for 300 years.'"

Hydrology

Mahanadi River at Cuttack as it trifurcates with one arm feeding the Chilika Lake

Three hydrological subsystems control the Hydrology of the lake. The land based system comprises the Mahanadi River on the northern side, 52 river channels from the western side and the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side. Two of the three southern branches of the Mahanadi River that trifurcates at Cuttack into three branches, feeds the lake. 61% (850 cubic metres (30,000 cu ft))/sec of the total fresh water inflow into the lake is contributed by these two branches.

The second drainage system which is non–perennial accounts for 39% (536 cubic metres (18,900 cu ft)/sec). The important rivers of this drainage system are the Kansari, the Kusumi, the Janjira and the Tarimi rivers. The annual total surface freshwater input to the lake is estimated to 1.76 cubic kilometres (62×10^⁹ cu ft) including direct precipitation over the lake contributing 0.87 cubic kilometres (31×10^⁹ cu ft) All the inland river systems disgorge an annual flow of about 0.375 million cubic metres (13.2×10^⁶ cu ft) of freshwater which is estimated to carry 13 Million metric tons of silt into the lake. On the north east a channel connects the lake to the Bay of Bengal.

A tropical monsoon climate prevails over the drainage basin area of the lake. The lake experiences South–west and North-east monsoons during June to September and November to December respectively with average annual rainfall of 1,238.8 mm (4.1 ft), with 72 rainy days. The maximum temperature of 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) and minimum temperature of 14 °C (57.2 °F) have been recorded. The wind speed varies from 5.3 to 16 metres (17 to 52 ft)/hour with southerly and southwesterly direction due to the influence of the South–west monsoon and from North and north easterly direction during the rest of the months.

Water and Sediment Quality

The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in association with several other organizations (National and International) established an organized system of measurements of water quality and the limnological investigations comprising the physico–chemical characteristics of the lake waters. The following general information are available for evaluation of the water quality and other features of the lake.

• Lake water is alkaline – pH ranges from 7.1 – 9.6 with total alkalinity matching the salinity. The southern part of the lake near Rambha has recorded the highest alkalinity value.
• Bathymetry survey indicates extreme shallow depths, in the northern sector in particular where depth of less than 1.5 m (4.9 ft) is noted in a large area. Southern sector of the lake has recorded the maximum depth of 3.9 m (12.8 ft)
• High turbidity due to strong mixing of overlying water with sediments is confirmed by the observed transparency values which range between 9 cm (0.3 ft) and 155 cm (5.1 ft).
• Salinity levels in the lake show wide temporal and spatial variation due to a complex blend of freshwater discharge, evaporation, wind condition and tidal inflow of seawater. The north–south gradient in the lake shows varying salinity concentrations with values fluctuating from 1 to 3 ppt between the surface and bottom. Brackish nature of the lake is depicted by the 0 ppt values near the Divya River mouth to hyper – saline level of 42 ppt in the outlet channel during the dry period.
• The dissolved oxygen values were between 3.3–18.9 mg/l.
• Phosphate phosphorus (0–0.4 ppm), nitrate nitrogen (10–60 ppm) and silicates (1–8 ppm) recorded are high in the north and north–west part of the lake where most of the rivers discharge into the lake bringing huge amounts of silt and nutrients.
• The lake is broadly divided into 4 zones on the basis of salinity values – the southern zone, central zone, northern and the outer channel. Tidal influx of seawater is arrested by the strong influx of large amount of fresh water during monsoon from the northern and central zones. Brackish water condition in the southern zone even during monsoon prevails due to slow movement of water. Salinity in the southern sector decreases during the post monsoon period and in winter as the northern winds facilitates mixing of water with rest of the lake. Intrusion of salt water from outer channel into the lake increases during the summer since water level of the lake is at its lowest level. A general increase in salinity of the central and northern sectors is noticed due to wind induced mixing by the predominantly southern winds. The salinity in the southern sector does not rise appreciably.

Sedimentation

The adverse tidal exchange due to the littoral drift along the coast line tends to shift the mouth of the lake opening every year; with the estimated sediment transport due to this is of the order of 100,000 MT. This adverse effect needed ameliorative actions.

Sediment cores were collected from different locations of the lake. The result indicated spatial variation of sedimentation rate in three zones of the lake of 7.6 millimetres (0.30 in) /year (Northern Sector),8.0 millimetres (0.31 in)/year (Central Sector) and 2.8 millimetres (0.11 in)/year.(SouthernSector).The non–uniform sedimentation rate along with the porosity and water content of the sediment cores were also analysed which indicated that the lake had different deposition zones, with comparatively higher sedimentation rate at Northern and Central Sector and a slow rate at the Southern Sector.

Conservation - threats and management

In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention due to its rich biodiversity as shown by the facts that:

• Over a million migratory waterfowl and shorebirds winter here.
• Over 400 vertebrate species have been recorded.
• As an estuarine lagoon, it supports a unique assemblage of marine, brackish and freshwater species.
• Several rare and endangered species are found in the region.
• The lake supports fisheries that are the lifeline of the community.
• The lake is of great value in preserving genetic diversity.
• There is an Increase in weeds and aquaculture activities.

Threats

Over the years, the ecosystem of the lake encountered several problems and threats such as:

• Siltation due to littoral drift and sediments from the inland river systems
• Shrinkage of water spread area
• Choking of the inlet channel as well as shifting of the mouth connecting to the sea
• Decrease in salinity and fishery resources
• Proliferation of fresh water invasive species and
• An overall loss of biodiversity with decline in productivity adversely affecting the livelihood of the community that depended on it
• Fights between fishermen and non-fishermen communities of the lake on fishing rights and consequent court cases

The rapid expansion of commercial aquaculture of prawn has contributed significantly to the decline of the lakes fisheries and bird population.

Concerted action was initiated by the Orissa State Government with support from the Government of India to adopt adaptive conservation and management actions.

By 1993, the problems in Chilika were so severe that the lake was put under "The Montreux Record" as the lake was considered to have “undergone, to be undergoing, or to be likely to undergo change in it's ecological character brought about by human action”. The purpose was to undertake urgent remedial measures for the lake's conservation, supplemented with adequate monitoring. It was expected that such an action would benefit from the advice from Ramsar Advisory Mission and other identified technical assistance programmes.

In summary, siltation from upstream led to shrinkage of the water spread area, decrease of salinity and prolific growth of invasive fresh water aquatic weed infestation, all of which had a serious negative impact on habitat of wildlife and fishery resources.

Chilika Development Authority (CDA)

The Government of Orissa, concerned by the degradation of the lake's ecosystem and cognizant of significant numbers of people who were dependent upon the lake's resources, set up the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in 1992. The CDA was set up for restoration and overall development of the lake under the Indian Societies Registration Act as a parastatal body under the administrative jurisdiction of the Forest and Environment Department, with the following charter:

• To protect the Lake ecosystem with all its genetic diversity
• To formulate the management plan for Integrated Resource Management and wise use of the lake's resources by the community depending on it
• To execute multidimensional and multidisciplinary developmental activities either itself or through other agencies
• To collaborate with various National and the International institutions for development of the lake

The governing body of the Authority is headed by the Chief Minister of Orissa State and has people’s representatives (Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly), representatives of the fisherfolk communities and secretaries of the key departments, experts and eminent scientists as its members.

An Executive Committee constituted in 1998 with adequate delegation of financial powers supplemented by financial support from the Tenth and Eleventh Finance Commissions of the Government of India gave support to the management initiatives taken up by CDA, which facilitated a coordinated approach to plan and implement effective ameliorative management actions.

An Integrated Management Plan was implemented with financial support of Rs 570 million (US $ 12.7 million) out of “special problem grants” recommended by the Tenth and Eleventh Finance Commissions. Hydrobiological monitoring was supported under the Orissa Water Resources Consolidation Project (OWRCP) of the World Bank, to the extent of Rs 10 million (US $ 220,000). A strong support network was created with 7 state government organizations, 33 NGOs, 3 National Government Ministries, 6 other organizations, 11 International Organizations, 13 research institutions and 55 different categories of community groups.

In 2003, collaboration of Indian and Japanese experts led to a friendly relationship between Chilika lake and Saroma Lake in Japan called Sister Wetlands.

Ameliorative actions

Considering the threats faced by the lake, the National Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs Committee of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, also identified the lake as a priority site for conservation and management.The ameliorative actions taken by the CDA to restore the ecosystem and to improve the socio–economic conditions of the communities living around the lake and on its islands involved the following.

Chilika Sea mouth

• Opening the lake mouth

The most effective ameliorative action was the hydrological intervention of opening the new mouth at the outflow channel into the sea. This improved the spatial and temporal salinity gradients of the lake to maintain the unique characteristics of an estuarine eco-system. It was recognized that any action to transform the lake into a fresh water ecosystem would cause harm to the ecosystem. This intervention was undertaken after detailed scientific studies including mathematical modeling and Hydraulics studies on a model prototype, which were carried out by the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune and National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. The desiltation of the channel connecting the lake to the sea and opening of a new mouth to restore the natural flows of water and salinity levels was carried out which resulted in notable increase in the lake's fish yield and a reduction of freshwater weeds. An artificial mouth opened in September 2000 also reduced the length of the outflow channel by 18 kilometres (11 mi). Opening of the new mouth provided a favorable increased salinity regime throughout the lake with less fluctuations and improved water clarity.Some pictures of this action can be seen in the references cited in External sources.

Other measures include:

• Catchments management in a “participatory micro watershed management in a whole ecosystem approach”
• Protection of bird habitat and of bird species
• Economic incentives to the local population to stop poaching of birds
• Measures to improve the socio–economic conditions, such as training programmes to develop eco-tourism,
• 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.

In 2002, Chilika was taken out of the Montraux Record, in light of the improved conditions of the lake. Chilika lake is the first Ramsar site in Asia to be removed from the Montreux record.

Awards

In November 2002, the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was presented to the Chilika Development Authority for outstanding achievements in the field of restoration and wise use of wetlands and effective participation of local communities in these activities.

The Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puruskar, constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Award – 2002 to Chilika Development Authority for the outstanding contribution of conservation and restoration of the Chilika lake eco-system.

Flora and fauna

The ecological richness of the lake is of great value in preserving the genetic diversity because of the multiplicity of its habitat, flora and fauna. (Some are pictured in the photo gallery). The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) surveyed the lake between 1985 and 1988 and identified 800 species of fauna, including many rare, endangered, threatened and vulnerable species, but excluding terrestrial insects.

The rare and threatened animal species identified are green sea turtle (EN), dugong (VU), Irrawaddy dolphin (VU), blackbuck (NT), Spoon billed sandpiper (CR), limbless skink and fishing cat (EN). 24 mammalian species were reported. 37 species of reptiles and amphibians are also reported.

Flora

Recent surveys revealed an overall 726 species of flowering plants belonging to 496 genera and 120 families. This represents about one –fourth of the vascular plant species of the Orissa state where some 2900 species altogether are found. Fabaceae is the most dominant plant family followed by Poaceae and Cyperaceae. Certain species were found to be characteristic of specific islands. Important species identified are:.

• Leguminosae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae
• Endemic cassipourea ceylanica
• Five species of seagrass
• Wild plants of horticultural importance and interesting plant groups such as insectivorous plants, epiphytes, parasites and lithophytes
• Mangrove associates, such as Aegiceras corniculatus, Excoecaria agalloch, Salvadora persica, Pongamia pinnata, Colubrina asiatica, Capparis roxburghii, Macrotyloma ciliatum and many others.

Avi Fauna

A flock of Lesser Flamingos at Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds, on the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in the country. Some species listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened animals inhabit the lake for at least part of their life cycle.

Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as the Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Lakah, Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the Himalayas. A census conducted in the winter of 1997-98 recorded about 2 million birds in the lake.

In 2007, nearly 840,000 birds visited the lake, out of which 198,000 were spotted in Nalbana Island. On Jan 5, 2008, a bird census involving 85 wildlife officials counted 900,000 birds of which 450,000 were sighted in Nalabana. Removal of invasive species of freshwater aquatic plants, especially water hyacinth, due to restoration of salinity, is a contributing factor for the recent increasing attraction of birds to the lake.

Nalbana Bird Sanctuary

Chilika Lake Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
Website	http://www.wildlifeorissa.in/chilika.html

Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana means a weed covered island In the Oriya language. It is a major island in the center of the lake and has an area of 15.53 km² (6.0 sq mi). The island gets completely submerged during the monsoon season. As the monsoon recedes in the winter, lake levels decrease and the island is gradually exposed, birds flock to the island in large numbers to feed on its extensive mudflats. Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Large flocks of Greater flamingos from Iran and the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, feed in the shallow waters of the lake. Other-long legged waders seen around Nalbana Island are the Lesser Flamingos, Goliath Heron, Grey herons, and Purple herons, Egrets, Spoonbills, Storks and Black-headed Ibis.

Goliath Heron

Rare birds reported in the lake are the rare migrant Spoon-billed Sandpiper (CR), Pallas's Fish-eagles (VU) and Asiatic Dowitchers (NT).

The White-bellied Sea Eagle, Pariah Kite, Brahminy Kites, Kestrel, Marsh harriers, and the world's most widespread bird of prey, peregrine falcon, are among the raptors seen here.

Many short-legged shorebirds are seen in a narrow band along the shifting shores of the lake and islands. These include Plovers, the Collared Pratincole, Ruff, Dunlin, Snipes and Sandpipers. Larks, Wagtails and Lapwings are also found on the mudflats. Feeding in deeper water are the longer-legged Avocets, Stilts and Godwits.

The higher vegetated areas of the lake support Moorhens, Coots and Jacanas. Pond Herons and Night Herons can be seen along the shores with Kingfishers and Rollers. Little Cormorants are seen on perches around the lake, Compact flocks of Brahminy Ducks, as well as Shovellers, Pintails, Gadwall, Teals, Pochards, Geese and Coots, are also seen.

Nesting colonies of Gull-billed terns and River terns are seen on the Nalabana Island. In 2002, The Bombay Natural History Society survey recorded 540 nests of the Indian River Tern at the island, the largest nesting colony in the southeast Asia.

Aqua fauna

As per the Chilika Development Authority’s (CDA) updated data (2002), 323 aquatic species, which includes 261 fish species, 28 prawns and 34 crabs are reported out of which sixty five species breed in the lake. 27 species are freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The remaining species migrate to the sea to breed. 21 species of herrings and sardines of the family Clupeidae are reported.

Wallago attu – A common type of fish in the lake

Between 1998–2002, 40 fish species were recorded here for the first time and following the reopening of the lake mouth in 2000, six threatened species have reappeared, including:

• Milk fish (Seba khainga),
• Indo-Pacific tarpon (Panialehio),
• Ten pounder (Nahama),
• Bream (Kala khuranti),
• Hilsa (Tenuealosa) ilisha (ilishi) and
• Mullet R. corsula (Kekenda)

Commercial Fisheries

For centuries fisher folk evolved exclusive rights of fishing through a complex system of partitioning the fisheries of the lake, harvested the lake in a relatively sustainable fashion and developed a large range of fishing techniques, nets and gear.

During the British rule, in 1897–98, fishermen community enjoyed exclusive fisheries rights in the lake. The fisheries of the lake were part of the Zamindari estates of Khallikote, Parikud, Suna Bibi, Mirza Taher Baig and the Chaudhary families of Bhungarpur and the Khas mahal areas of Khurda, lying within the kingdoms of the Rajas of Parikud and Khallikote. The zamindars (Landlords) leased out the fisheries exclusively to the local fisherfolk.

With the abolition of zamindari (land lordship) system in 1953, traditional fishing areas continued to be leased out to cooperatives of local fishermen. Fishing, particularly, prawn fishing, became increasingly remunerative with outside interest playing an important role. But in 1991, when the government of Orissa proposed a leasing policy that would have resulted in the auction of leases to the highest bidder, the Fishermen’s cooperatives challenged the order in court. The High Court of Orissa ordered the Government to enact changes that would protect the interests of traditional fishermen and since then no new leases have been reported. This has resulted in a chaotic regime in which powerful vested interests from outside dominate, and the local people have been subordinated.

Butter catfish and Wallago attu are the most common type of fish found in the lake. 11 species of fish, 5 species of prawn and 2 crab species are commercially important. The commercially important prawn are Giant tiger prawn, Indian white shrimp, Speckled shrimp, Pink prawn and Kadal shrimp. Mangrove crab is the most important commercial crab. Fish landings in the lake, which fluctuated in the past, have recorded a remarkable recovery after the opening of the new mouth and dredging of silt –choked old mouth Magarmukh in 2000–2001, resulted in a better intermixing of the tidal influx from the sea and freshwater inflow from rivers. Against an all time lowest landing of fish and prawn of 1269 MT 1,269 t (1,398.8 short tons) in 1995–96, the all time high is reported to be 11,878 t (13,093.3 short tons) during 2001–2002 resulting in an estimated per capita income for the fisher folk of Rs 19,575 (about US $ 392) during the year. Recently, the Government of Orissa have issued a notification banning the lease of Chilika Lake for Culture Fishery.

Irrawady Dolphins

File:Chilika Dolphin.gif

Irrawaddy Dolphin(Orcaella brevirostris) in Chilika Lake

The Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), classified as Critically Endangered, which lives in both salt and freshwater is the Flagship species of the lake. Some dolphins used to be sighted only along the inlet channel and in a limited portion of the central sector of the lake. After the opening of the mouth in 2000, they are now seen, in the central and the southern sector of the lake. The number of dolphins sited in the lake varies from 50 to 170. The Irrawaddy dolphins have a seemingly mutualistic relationship with the traditional fishermen here, in the form of co-operative fishing.

These rare Mammals are also found exclusively in a 190 km (118.1 mi) stretch of the Mekong River in Lao PDR, Cambodia (about 70–100 freshwater individuals); in a 420 km (261.0 mi) stretch of the Mahakam River, Indonesia (about 33–50 freshwater individuals); and in a 370 km (229.9 mi) stretch of the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar (about 59 freshwater individuals). Small numbers are also reported in the partially freshwater Songkhla Lake in Thailand.

Eco-tourism

The open air and scenic natural flora and fauna of the lake are an attraction for eco-tourism. This is expected to provide a degree of alternate employment to the local community and generate environmental awareness, among local residents as well as visitors, about the conservation and wise use of the lake’s natural resources. The locations within the lake identified for such activity are:

• Ramba Bay at the southern end of the lake with the group of islands including:
  • The Becon Island, with an architectural conical pillar (to put a light on the top) built by Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector of Ganjam of the East India Company, on a mass of rock in the Rambha Bay near Ghantasila hill. It has scenic water spread surrounded by the Eastern Ghat.
  • The Breakfast Island, pear shaped, known as "Sankuda island", with remnants of a dilapidated bungalow constructed by the King of Kalikote, has rare plants and is full of greenery with appealing flora.
  • Honeymoon Island, 5 km (3.1 mi) from Rambha Jetty, known as Barkuda Island, with clear waters has abundant red and green macro algae in the bed is also known for the limbless lizard, an endemic species found here.
• Somolo and Dumkudi islands, located in the Central and Southern sectors of the lake, in the backdrop of scenic Khalikote hill range, are inundated remnants of the Eastern Ghats with rich flora and fauna and also known for sighting of Dolphins.
• Birds' island, located in the southern sector of the lake has huge exposed hanging rocks, are painted white due to folic acid of the droppings of the birds and is known for rich algal communities and few mangrove species and also migratory birds in winter.
• Parikud is a group of composite islands in the Garh Krishnaprasad Block for nature lovers and provides an avian spectacle during winter season
• Kalijai Temple located on an island is considered to be the abode of the Goddess Kalijai
• Satapada situated on the eastern shore of the lake, a peninsula, provides a beautiful view of the Lake and also views of the Dolphins. Youth of the area with 75 boats provide conducted tours of the lake for the tourists
• Barunkuda, a small island situated near Magarmukh, mouth of the lake, has a temple of Lord Varuna.
• Nabagraha is an ancient deity located along the outer channel.
• Chourbar Shiva Temple is located near Alupatna village, along the outer channel.
• Manikpatna, located on the outer channel has historical evidence of a port which was used for trade with Far East and also has the Bhabakundeswar temple of Lord Shiva, an old Mosque whose entrance door is made of the jaws of the whale.
• Sand-Bar and Mouth of the Lake is a striking and un-explored stretch of 30 km (18.6 mi) of empty beach across the sand bar which separates the Lake from the Sea.

Access

The lake is well connected by road to Chennai and Kolkata through National Highway No 5. Satpara town on the eastern bank of the lake is about 50 km (31.1 mi) by road southwest of the city of Puri and at a distance of 100 km (62.1 mi) from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, which is also the nearest airport.

A broad gauge railway line of the South Eastern Railway from Kolkata skirts along the western bank of the lake passing through Balugaon, Chilika and Rambha stations.

Within the lake precincts, 0rissa Transport Development Corporation Ltd (OTDC) and the Revenue Department of the state government offer boat cruises. Private operators also provide country boats on hire to various islands in the lake.

There are OTDC Guest houses at Barkul, Rambha, Satapada & several hotels at Balugaon. Before entering into the Nalbana Bird Sanctuary one has to obtain an entry permit. The entry permit has to be produced at entry/exit points, at check gates as and whenever requested by officials.

Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Rairakhol (T) Division, Po. Rairakhol, Dist. Sambalpur, Orissa 06644 India. phone/fax: 253030

For more tourist information see Chilka Lake Travel under External sources.

Gallery

• 
  Pongamia pinnata (panigrahi)- A flowering shoot
• 
  Sanderling Calidris alba
• 
  Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
• 
  Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
• 
  Black-tailed Goodwit Limosa limosa
• 
  Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
• 
  Falcon
• 
  White-bellied Sea Eagle
• 
  Green Sea Turtle
• 
  Dugong
• 
  Limbless Lizard
• 
  Fishing Cat

External sources

• Dolphin-human interactions, Chilika
• Irrawaddy dolphin - India
• Tourist information on Chilka Lake Travel
• Opening of new mouth and IRS 1D LISS III IMAGE OF CHILIKA LAGOON
• Figure 1 Chilika Lagoon Basin
• Tourist locations in the lagoon

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