Interesting Facts about Chilika Lake for UPSC aspirants

Chilika is Asia's largest and world's second-largest lagoon. It lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand. It spreads over Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.

It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. In 1981, Chilika Lake has designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island. The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987. Kalijai Temple - Located on an island in Chilika Lake. 

Migratory birds in and around Chilika lake and Bhitarkanika National Park have started leaving earlier (in February) than in other years, as temperatures in Odisha (in and around Chillka lake) began to soar. The birds usually arrive in the region in November and migrate back around mid-March or early April when the temperature hovers around 39 degrees Celsius.

Migratory birds in and around Chilika lake and Bhitarkanika National Park have started leaving earlier (in February) than in other years, as temperatures in Odisha (in and around Chillka lake) began to soar. The birds usually arrive in the region in November and migrate back around mid-March or early April when the temperature hovers around 39 degrees Celsius.

Bhitarkanika National Park: Bhitarkanika National Park is one of Odisha’s finest biodiversity hotspots and is famous for its mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and countless creeks. The Bhitarkanika is represented by 3 Protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. Bhitarkanika is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi river systems. It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.

Migratory Species in India: India is a temporary home to several migratory animals and birds. The important among these include Amur Falcons, Bar-headed Geese, Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpback Whales, etc. The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans. India has also launched the National Action Plan for the conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway as India is a party to Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).