March 29, 2024

Chilika Lake

  • More than 60000 birds of 88 Bird species were found in lake during annual summer survey of birds conducted by Chilika wildlife division of Odisha.
  • The species grey-headed swamphen or purple swamphen were spotted the most number (8,386) followed by Asian Openbilled-stork, whiskered tern, little cormorant, little egret and others.

ABOUT CHILIKA LAKE

  • It is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
  • Located at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilka Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and also the second largest saltwater lagoon in the world after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia.
  • It is studded with small islands including Nalabana island, rajhans island, honeymoon island, breakfast island
  • Chilika Lake was first Indian Wetland of International Importance (WII) to be designated under Ramsar Convention in 1981.
  • It was also first site in Asia which was removed from Montreux Record (MR) in 2002.
  • It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent.
  • Birds from 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.
  • Kalijai Temple, devoted to Goddess Kalijai is situated on an island in Chilika Lake.
  • Satapada side of Chilika lake is best place to observe Irrawaddy dolphins (IUCN Red ListEndangered).
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