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CHILIKA LAGOONDAMAGES & RESTORATIONS

Prepared byKARTIK DASROLL NO. – 041441BCE(P/T) 4TH YEAR

GUIDED BY Prof. A. K. MISRA

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OVER VIEWSChilika, Asia’s biggest salt water lagoon in the eastern coast of India, in the state of Orissa, has a long history spanning over more than five thousand years.

It has inspired philosophers, poets and naturalists for its beauty of its vast water area with a panoramic view.

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OVER VIEWS

The Chilika lagoon remains a vital life line for more than one lack people in 122 villages who live in and around the lagoon. The historical records indicate the use of the lagoon system for capture fisheries through the formation of 92 primary fishery cooperatives.Area of extension: Chilika's surface area varies between 906 square km. during summer to 1,165 square km. during monsoon. (1) Depth of water: Mean depth : 1.4 m. Maximum depth: 3.7 m. in the Central sector. (1) Water Shed: 52 rivers and streams drain into the lagoon.The lagoon is dotted with 106 islands of different sizes. (5)

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THE LAGOON ECOLOGY

The Lagoon water:• In general the lagoon water is alkaline with pH ranging from 7.1-9.6. (5) • The variation of D.O. have been recorded between 3.3 to 18.9 mg/l. (5) • It was observed that there is gradual fall in Salinity level in all sectors

of the lagoon.• Maximum & minimum Salinity level recorded to be 37.2ppt.& 0.1ppt. (5)

Biological Features: Chilika Lake is a hot-spot of biodiversity and shelters a number of endangered species listed in the IUCN red list of threatened species.

Fisheries: Chilika is home to 225 species of fish. (3)

Birds: The lagoon is the wintering ground for more than one million resident as well as migratory birds. Approximately 150 bird species are recorded here. (3)

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MAJOR ECOLOGICAL CHANGES

Siltation

Shrinkage of water spread area

Salinity Reduction

Dolphin reduction

Weed infestation

Due to the change in ecological character of the lagoon, it was placed in the Montreux Record in the year 1993. A survey by ZSI during 1985-87 opined that the lagoon ecosystem is tending towards a fresh water ecosystem & warrants urgent restoration measures.

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RESTORATION MEASURES

Opening of New Sea Mouth: On 23RD SEP 2000

IRS 1D LISS III IMAGE OF CHILIKA DATE- 23RD SEP 2000 PHOTO OF NEW MOUTH RELEASED BY CDA

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RESTORATION MEASURES Phase-I desiltation: Desiltation of the lead channel

connecting the lagoon with new sea mouth was completed before opening of Sea mouth.

Phase-II desiltation: The major rivers like Daya, Bhargavi and the distributaries of Mahanadi river system drain into the lagoon in the northern sector. The bed sediment like clay, silt brought by the above rivers & deposited in the river mouth obstructing the free flow of fresh water. As per recommendation of CWPRS extension & desiltation works of this area has been completed in 2003.

Others : Treatment of the catchment, restoration of eco-system of Nalabana, weed management, improvement of the communication network, fishery resource development, upliftment of economic condition & other allied activities of the stake-holders of peripheral villages, creation of mass awareness, and a research centre on wetland management at Balugaon.

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IMPACT OF NEW MOUTH AND DESILTATION

Salinity

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IMPACT OF NEW MOUTH AND DESILTATION

Auto-recruitment of fish, prawn, crab

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IMPACT OF NEW MOUTH AND DESILTATION

Reduction of fresh water weed

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IMPACT OF NEW MOUTH AND DESILTATION

Expansion of Irrawady dolphin distribution

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CONCLUTION Due to better management practices & significant

improvement in the ecological condition of the Chilika lagoon, the CDA is conferred with prestigious Ramsar wetland award-2002 & it has also been removed from the Montreux Record in November 2002.

Steps should be taken to reduce further siltation and improvement of salinity by dredging the inlet, desiltation of outer channel etc.

Pollution monitoring efforts should be taken to reduce pollution load of the lagoon.

Human settlement and human activities like agricultural practice, industrial activities etc. close to the lagoon should strongly be restricted.

Community participation and public awareness is very essential to save Chilika lagoon.

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Bibliography 1.Proceedings of the international workshop on

sustainable development of chilika lagoon. 2.www.chilika.com 3.www.cda.com 4.www.ramsar.org 5.www.wwfindia.org

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