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'Chilka Lake' (also 'Chilika Lake') is a brackish water coastal lake in India's Orissa state, south of the mouth of the Mahanadi River. It is the largest coastal lake in India. The lake was formed due to the silting action of the Mahanadi 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

Contents

Threats

External links

Threats

The last few decades have seen a great transformation in the ecological and social character of Chilka. Some of the problems include

★ Siltation

★ Changes in salinity level
Great part of this recent change is due to a new breakthrough between the lake and the ocean. This very questionable modification was made by the Government in 2001, problably for the exploitation of the lake touristically. The people of the Chilka Lake area, formerly living mostly as fishermen, are now literally starving. They now start to build communities to take influence on the polical structures.

★ Increase in weeds and aquaculture activities
The population of Irrawaddy Dolphins which has suffered from entanglement in fisher's gill nets and drag nets, is believed to have dwindled to as few as 50 individuals.

External links

★ 1000 acres marshy land as Siberian Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Wikimapia link

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★ Fish Species in Chilka Lake

★ Chilika Development Authority

★ An article on Satpada by Rangan Datta