Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake
Map with settlement of Puri
Coordinates	19°43′N 085°19′E
Type	part freshwater part saltwater
Primary inflows	Mahanadi River
Primary outflows	Bay of Bengal
Basin countries	India
Max. length	29 km
Surface area	906-1165 km²
Max. depth	132 m
Surface elevation	0-2 m
Settlements	Satpara, Puri, Orissa, India

Chilka Lake (also Chilika Lake) is a brackish water coastal lake in India's Orissa state, south of the mouth of the Mantei River. It is the largest coastal lake in India. The lake was formed due to the silting action of the Mantei River, which drains into the northern end of the lake, and the northerly currents in the Bay of Bengal, which have formed a sandbar along the eastern shore leading to the formation of a shallow lagoon. The area of the lake varies from 1165 km² in the monsoon season to 906 km² in the dry season, and is studded with numerous small islands. The larger islands lie between the sandbar and the lake, separated by shallow channels, and include Parikud, Phulbari, Berahpura, Nuapara, Nalbana, and Tampara. These islands, together with the peninsula of Malud, constitute the Krushnaprasad revenue block of Puri District. The open air and scenic natural flora and fauna of Krushnaprasad are an attraction for tourists and visitors. The north shore of the lake is part of Khordha District, and the western shore is part of Ganjam District.

The lake is an important habitat and breeding ground for both resident and migratory and aquatic birds, most notably flamingoes. Migratory birds arrive in October from as far away as Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Himalaya, and generally stay until March. Part of the lake is protected by the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, which harbors over 150 migratory and resident species of birds. The Nalaban Island within the lagoon is classified as a Bird Sanctuary under the wildlife protection act. The lake is also home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including 225 species of fish and the Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). The rare limbless lizard Barkudia insularis is endemic to one of the lake's small islands. Chilka Lake is designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Justification for Ramsar Sight

• 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
• Supports fisheries that are the lifeline of the community
• The lagoon is of great value in preserving genetic ecological variety
• Increase in weeds and aquaculture activities

Ecological Status

A great cause of recent changes to the lake's ecology is due to a new, man-made breakthrough between the lake and the ocean. This very questionable modification was made by the government in 2001, probably for promoting tourism. The people of the Chilka Lake area, formerly living mostly as fishermen, are now facing starvation. The population of Irrawaddy Dolphins has suffered from entanglement in fishers' gill nets and drag nets, and is believed to have dwindled to as few as 50 in number.

External links

• Fish Species in Chilka Lake
• An article on Satpada by Rangan Datta
• Template:Wikitravel