Chilika Lake Bird Census

The 2025 Chilika Lake Bird Census recorded 1,127,228 birds from 196 species, including 1,087,226 migratory birds from 109 species and 40,002 resident birds from 87 species.

• There was a slight decline in the number of visiting birds compared to previous years, but the variety of species increased.
• Experts attribute the decline to factors like climate change and changing water levels.
• Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, spans 1,165 square kilometers and serves as a crucial wintering ground for migratory birds.
• Located on the eastern coast of India, it spans across the Khurda, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts in Odisha.
• The lake is a hotspot for biodiversity, home to over 200 species of birds, including migratory species.
• It is a critical wintering ground for birds migrating along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway.
• The lake was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1981.