Chilika Lake in Odisha
It is the largest wintering ground for migratory
birds on the
Indian sub-continent. The lake
is home to a number of
threatened species of plants
and animals.
[5][6]
The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than
150,000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands.
[7][8].
The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the
peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral
Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and
southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. These birds travel great
distances, but it must be stressed, that the migratory birds probably follow
much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to
reach Chilika River.
According to a survey, 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.Around 135 rare and endangered
Irrawaddy Dolphins have also been reported. Plus, the lagoon supports about 37
species of reptiles and amphibians.
The highly productive chilika lagoon eco-system
with its rich fishery resources sustains the livelihood for many fisher men who
live in and near the Lagoon. The water spread area of the Lagoon ranges between
1165 to 906 km2 during the monsoon and summer respectively. A
32 km long, narrow, outer channel connects the lagoon to the Bay of
Bengal, near the village Motto, recently a new mouth was opened by CDA which
has brought a new lease of life to the lagoon.
Microalgae, marine seaweeds, sea grasses, fishes
and crabs also flourish in the brackish water of the Chilika Lagoon.
History Chilika
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).
Excavations were conducted by the
Archaeological Survey
of India at
Golabai Sasan (
20°1′7″N
85°32′54″E / 20.01861°N 85.54833°E /
20.01861; 85.54833) just north of Chilka lake
in Khurdha district.
[11]
Golabai provides evidence of a sequence of Chilka area culture in three phases:
Neolithic
(c. 1600 BCE),
Chalcolithic (c. 1400 BCE to
c. 900 BCE) and
Iron
Age (c. 900 BCE to c. 800 BCE).
Radiocarbon dating traced the
earliest level of Golbai to 2300 BCE. The site is located on the left bank of
the
Malaguni
River, a tributary of the
Daya
River, which flows into Chilika Lake. This location, which gave
access to the sea via Chilika Lake, gives strong evidence of the maritime
activities of this region. The recovery of many woodworking
adzes and
other
artifacts shows that Golabai
was a boat-building centre. Significantly, Golabai is the only excavated site
in Orissa where boat building has been revealed. This also indicates that
Chilka lake was very close to Golabai and it facilitated the maritime trade of
people in the area during the ancient period.
[12]
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. After 639, the
Chinese
Pilgrims
Fa-Hien
and
Hiuen-Tsang
mention a famous port "
Che-li-ta-loChing" near the shore of
the ocean which was a thoroughfare and resting place for sea-going traders and
strangers from distant lands. This port was located at ‘Chhatragarh’ on the
banks of Chilika Lake.
[12]
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. To avoid detection, he stealthily anchored out of
sight, off the mouth to the sea. 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.
[2]
Archeological excavations discovered Seventh
century ship anchors and stone memoirs dedicated to battle heroes at a village
named Kanas, about 25 km (16 mi) north of Chilika on the banks of Nuna
river, which flows into the lake. This gives evidence of an historic naval
engagement off the coast.
A 10th century text, the
Brahmanda
Purana, mentions Chilika Lake as an important centre of trade and
commerce, and a shelter for ships sailing to
Java,
Malaya,
Singhala,
China and other countries. This suggests that the lake was then deep enough for
berthing sea-going ships and had a channel to the sea big enough for loaded
trading ships embarking to
Southeast Asia.
[14][15]
[16]
The villagers around Chilika Lake still observe an annual festival called
"
Bali Yatra" (Journey to
Bali).
In 1803, the
British
entered the shores of the lake, reached Puri and occupied Orissa with the help
of Fateh Muhammed. Fateh Muhammed in turn was rewarded by the British with
freehold of the areas of Malud
and Parikud, of the present day Garh Krishnaprasad revenue block.
[13]
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.
[13][14]
“
Gopabandhu
Das, a famous Oriya 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”.
[17]
Geology
The lake is of
estuarine
character in an
ephemeral environment.
Geological studies indicate 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 (2
mi), away from the coast.
The
catchment
area of Chilika lake has a rock, sand and mud substratum. It
contains a wide range of sedimentary particles such as clay, silt, sand, gravel
and shell banks but the major part of the catchment area is silt. Around 1.6
million
metric
tons per year of sediment is deposited in Chilika lake by rivers
Daya and and several streams.
[17]
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 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.
[13]
White bands of
coral
in the southern sector, at a height of 8 m (26 ft), above the present
water level, shows that the area was once marine and that the water was much
deeper than present.
[13]
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 m
Gy
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 >2.5 miles
(4 km) of barrier construction 40 years ago is identified. Prior to that
the deposition rate was relatively constant for 300 years.'"
[18]
Geography and
topography
Several inland rivers, which bring silt into the
lake, control the northern end of the lake. A 60 km (37 mi) long
barrier
beach called Rejhansa,
[19]
formed by northerly currents in the
Bay
of Bengal, resulted in the formation of this shallow lake and forms
its eastern side. As an
ephemeral lake, it’s water
surface area varies from 1,165 km
2 (449.8 sq mi) in the
summer
monsoon season to 906 km
2
(349.8 sq mi) in the winter
dry
season.
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.
[13]
Water depth of the 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 old channel to 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 vaguely 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).
[4][20]
Hydrology
Three hydrological subsystems control the
Hydrology of the lake. The land based system comprises
distributaries
of 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,
feed the lake. 61% (850 cubic metres per second (30,000 cu ft/s)) 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 per second (18,900 cu ft/s)). 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 (1,430,000 acre·ft) including
direct precipitation over the lake contributing 0.87 cubic kilometres
(710,000 acre·ft) All the inland river systems disgorge an annual flow of about
0.375 million cubic metres (304 acre·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 (48.77 in), 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
[dubious
– discuss] 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.
[5]
Water and sediment
quality
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA)
established an organized system of water quality measurements and
limnological
investigations indicating the following physico–chemical characteristics of the
lake waters.
[5]
- Lake water is alkaline –
pH ranging from 7.1
– 9.6 with total alkalinity matching the salinity.
The southern part of the lake near Rambha has recorded the highest
alkalinity.
- Bathymetry survey indicates extreme shallow depths in
the northern sector, with less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in a large area. The
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 observed transparency values ranging between 9
and 155 cm (0.30 and 5.09 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 brackish
nature of the lake is depicted by the 0 parts per thousand near the Daya
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) are high in the north and
northwest part of the lake where most of the rivers discharge into the
lake with large amounts of silt and nutrients.
- The lake is broadly divided into four zones on the
basis of salinity values, namely the southern, central, northern and outer
channel. Tidal influx of seawater during monsoon is arrested by the strong
influx of a large amount of fresh water from the northern and central
zones. Brackish water conditions in the southern zone, even during
monsoon, prevail due to low water exchange. Salinity in the southern zone
decreases during the post monsoon period and in winter as northern winds
facilitate mixing of water with rest of the lake. During the summer,
intrusion of salt water from the outer channel into the lake increases
since water level of the lake is at its lowest level. A general increase
in salinity of the central and northern zones occurs due to wind induced
mixing by the predominantly southern winds and salinity in the southern
zone does not rise appreciably.[5]
Sedimentation
Adverse tidal exchange occurred due to the
littoral
drift along the coast line causing flow reduction and shifting of
the lake mouth every year. Estimated
sediment transport due to this
is on the order of 100,000
metric tons. This adverse
effect needed ameliorative actions.
[20]
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 the lake had different deposition
zones, with comparatively higher sedimentation rate in Northern and Central
Sector and a slow rate in the Southern Sector.
[21]
Conservation — threats
and management
- 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.[9][10]
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 surface 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 about fishing rights in the lake 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.
[22]
Concerted action was initiated by the Orissa
State Government with support from the Government of India to adopt adaptive
conservation and management actions.
[6][20]
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 its ecological character brought about by human action”. The purpose
was to stimulate 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 surface 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.
[17]
Chilika Development Authority
(CDA)
In 1992, 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). 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
international institutions for development of the lake [20]
In 1998, an executive committee constituted with
financial authority, supplemented with financial support from the Tenth and
Eleventh Finance Commissions of the
Government of India, gave
support to the management initiatives taken up by CDA. This 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 Finance Commissions. Hydrobiological
monitoring was supported under the Orissa Water Resources Consolidation Project
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.
[20]
In 2003, collaboration of Indian and Japanese
experts led to a friendly relationship between Chilika lake and
Saroma
Lake in Japan called
Sister Wetlands.
[17]
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.
[5]
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 lake mouth and channel to the sea
through the barrier beach at Satapura. This improved the spatial and temporal
salinity gradients of the lake to maintain the unique characteristics of an
estuarine eco-system. This intervention was undertaken after detailed
scientific studies, including 3-dimensional mathematical modeling and
hydraulics studies on a model prototype, were carried out by the Central Water
and Power Research Station, Pune and
National Institute of
Oceanography, Goa. In September 2000, 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. These actions
resulted in a notable increase in the lake's fish yield and a reduction of
freshwater weeds. The new mouth reduced the length of the outflow channel by 18
kilometres
(11
mi).
[10][23]
Opening of the new mouth provided a favorable increased salinity regime
throughout the lake with less fluctuations and improved water clarity.
[17]
Detailed results of this action can be seen in the references cited in
External sources.
Other
measures included:
- 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.
[9][10]
Chilika lake is the first Ramsar site in Asia to be removed from the Montreux
record.
[17]
Awards
2002 Award for outstanding achievements
- 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".[9][10]
- 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 the Chilika Development Authority for the
outstanding contribution of conservation and restoration of the Chilika
lake eco-system.[24]
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).
[6]
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.
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. The flora
is predominantly of aquatic and sub-aquatic plants. Overall 726 species of
flowering plants belonging to 496 genera and 120 families have been recorded.
Fabaceae is the predominant plant family followed by Poaceae and Cyperaceae.
The species reported are leguminosae, poaceae, and cyperaceae; endemic
cassipourea ceylanica; five species of seagrass, and more. Important species
identified are:
[6][20].
- 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.
Avifauna
A flock of Lesser Flamingos at Chilika Lake
White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple
moorhen, jacana, herons and flamingos, Egrets, Gray and Purple Herons, Indian
Roller, Storks and White Ibis, Spoonbills, Brahminy Ducks, Shovellers and
Pintails, and more.
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.
[14][27]
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 km
2
(6.00 sq mi)
[dubious
– discuss]. 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.
[14][28]
Goliath Heron
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.
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:
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.
[13]
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.
[13]
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.
[13]
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,
Penaeus indicus (Indian white
shrimp),
Metapenaeus monoceros (Speckled shrimp),
Metapenaeus affinis
(Pink prawn) and
Metapenaeus dobson (Kadal shrimp).
Mangrove
crab is the most important commercial crab.
[22]
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 1,269 t (1,399
short tons) in 1995–96, the all time high is reported to be 11,878 t
(13,093 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.
[7]
Recently, the
Government of Orissa have
issued a notification banning the lease of Chilika Lake for Culture Fishery.
[13]
Dolphins: The
Irrawaddy Dolphin (
Orcaella brevirostris)
is the
flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilka is home
to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India
[31]
and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species.
[29]
It is classified as
Critically Endangered, in five of the six
other places it is known to live.
[32]
A small population of
Bottlenose dolphins, also migrate into the lagoon
from the sea.
[3]
Chilika fishermen say that when Irrawaddy Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins meet
in the outer channel, the former get frightened and are forced to return toward
the lake.
[33]
Some Irrawaddy 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 new mouth at Satapada in 2000, they are now well
distributed in the central and the southern sector of the lake.
[29]
The number of dolphins sighted has varied from 50 to 170. A 2006 census counted
131 dolphins and the 2007 census revealed 138 Dolphins. Out of the 138
dolphins, 115 were adults, 17 adolescents and six calves. 60 adults were
spotted in the outer channel followed by 32 in the central sector and 23 in the
southern sector.
[34]
Dolphin tourism provides an important alternative
source of income for many local residents. There are four tourist associations
in Satapada employing three hundred and sixty 9-HP long-tail motor boats taking
tourists to a 25 km
2 (9.7 sq mi) area of the lake for
dolphin watching. About 500 fishing families are involved in this business.
[31]
The Orissa Tourism Department and the Dolphin Motorboat Association, an NGO at
Satpada, report about 40,000 tourists visit Chilika every year for dolphin watching.
October-January and May-June are the peak season for tourists at Chilika, with
a maximum 600-700 per day during December-January. The Dolphin Motorboat
Association has 75 8-passenger motorboats for dolphin watching. Tourists pay
Rs. 250 for 60–90 minutes per trip. According to the Association, most tourists
see dolphins. Only 5% return disappointed. Besides the Association, the Orissa
Tourism Department organises "dolphin-watch" for tourists. Even
during monsoon, about 100 tourists/day visit the lake.
[11]
Boat based dolphin watching tours impact dolphin
behavior and cause several accidental dolphin deaths each year.
[35]
CDA conducts an annual census of dolphin deaths. They report 15 deaths in
2003-04, 11 in 2004-05, 8 in 2005-06 and 5 in 2006-07. 40% of the 2006-07
deaths were by mechanised boats.
[34]
Since 2004, the
Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society has been conducting a science based community
education project to conserve the Irrawaddy dolphins and Chilika Lake. They
have determined the primary cause of mortality for this population of dolphins
is floating gill nets and hook line fisheries and the secondary cause is boat
strikes from increasing unmanaged tourism activities.
[31]
The Irrawaddy dolphins have a seemingly
mutualistic relationship of
co-operative fishing with the traditional fishermen. Fishermen recall when they
would call out to the dolphins, to drive fish into their nets.
[35]
Castnet fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins in upper reaches of the
Ayeyawady River has been well documented
[36].
Major Attractions
Nalaban Island: The 15 km
2
Nalaban Island is within the Lagoon and is the core area of the Ramsar
designated wetlands. It was declared a bird sanctuary under the
Wildlife
Protection Act in 1973. It’s the heart of the park where one can seen thousands
of birds descending during the migratory season. The island disappears during
monsoon season due to inundation, and post-monsoon, the island emerges again. The
vast lake harbours 225 species of fish, a wide variety of phytoplankton, algae
and aquatic plants, and also supports over 350 species of non-aquatic plants.
The other areas where high concentrations of birds are recorded are Gerasara,
Parikud Island, and the western shores of the Northern sector. Chilka Lake is
one of the best bird watching spots in India, and is also popular for fishing
and angling.
Other attractions
Puri: This holy city is famous for the late
11th century built Jagannath temple. The other major attraction here is the
beach, from where you can witness the glorious sunrise and equally mesmerising
sunset. It’s said that a visit to Puri is incomplete without visiting Chilika
Lagoon.
The Nirmaljhar Waterfall: This is an ideal
place for pitching your picnic tent. The beautiful
waterfall
is located nearly 12 km from Chilika Lagoon.
Satpada: This place is located at a
distance of around 55 km (34 mi) from Puri, on the eastern side of the
Chilika Lake. This place is surrounded by lagoons from the three sides, which
makes this place an amazing tourist spot for nature lover.
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 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 Irrawaddy 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.This
temple is located at a hill which is surrounded by the blue water bears.
Local people of Chilika refer to goddess as the reigning deity of the
lagoon
- Satapada village, at the new mouth of the
lake, provides a beautiful view of the Lake and also views of the
Dolphins. Hundreds of boats here provide tours of the lake for 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 (20 mi) of empty beach across the
sand bar which separates the Lake from the Sea.[37]
Access
Chilika raiilway station
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 (30 mi) by road
southwest of the city of
Puri and at a distance of 100 km (60 mi) from
Bhubaneswar,
the capital of Orissa, which is also the nearest airport.
Within the lake precincts, Orissa 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.
[38]
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.
