CHAPTER3

!

CHILIKA LAGOON: ECOSYSTEM, PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT

Chilika Lake, the largest lagoon in Asia, is situated on the east·coast of India, in the state

of Orissa. It covers about 100,000 ha. of land. It is a wetland of international importance

listed in the Ramsar convention of 1982. Chilika is a repository of rich ecological

diversity with over 400 vertebrates of both brackish and freshwater species, including

several endangered, threatened, and vulnerable species. More than 710 varieties of plants

are found here (Online Web: www.cda.com). Over one million migratory waterfowl.and

shore birds gather there during winter. The Nalabana island is designated as bird

sanctuary. A very large, Chilika lake with a drainage basin of over 4,300 km2 provides a

livelihood for over 0.15 million fisherfolk and contributes to India's foreign exchange

balance through tourism and exports of prawns and fish (Online web: www.cda.com).

This has been a focus of cultural, religious and spiritual activities for the local population.

Chilika is also home of Irrawady dolphin, only one of two lagoons in the world (Ghosh

2006).

Chilika Lake is considered an integral part of the culture of coastal Orissa and a mute

witness to the historical past. A hundreds of villages around the Lake have developed a

strong cultural base over period of time. It is an eco-cultural destination that holds

motivation for a variety of people- from ornithologist to pilgrims and from nature lovers

to pleasure seekers. However, its popularity as eco-cultural tourist destination has been

confined to a few activities. Further, people living in peripheral areas have also confined

their livelihood to fishing and boating. The incoming of outsiders for commercial prawn

culture has aggravated wcres by heavy pressure on its fragile ecosystem. In addition, a

large number of unscientific activities in its catchment have posed severe threat to

Chilika ecosystem in the past. However, Chilika Lake management by CDA through

scientific and wise use and ecological restoration has been successful, though a lot of

initiatives are yet to be taken.

The relationship between the environment and society is a two-way. The way citizens

think about and respond to objective environmental resources is itself deeply political.

69

Our mental maps are based upon the information we receive from scientists, filtered by

pressure groups and the media. 'The environment' therefore is not 'out there'. It is

something we ourselves construct, based on our experience and upbringing. It mirrors

the way society is itself organised, as well as the particular perceptions and beliefs of

individual citizens. As the psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out that public concern

for the environment tend to blossom as societies become materially richer.

Chilika lake ecological richness, and the resources and service derived from it has

attracted many actors such as State, Multinatonal agencies, civil socities and various

social movements in this basin. Some of the actors are: (1) State, which includes

Department of fisheries, Tourism, Revenue, Forest (Wildlife) and the Chilika

Development Agency, (2) Multilaeral institutions like World Bank, UNDP, Ramsar

Japan fund for Global Environment, Ramsar Center Japan-Asia, India Canada

Environment Facility, Japan International Cooperation Agreement (JICA) etc. (3)

business firms, like Shrimp culture industries, Chilika Aquatic Farms Ltd., Tour

operators etc., (4) Civil Societies, such as Environmental NGOs, WWF-India, Palleshree,

Meet the students (MTS), Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan, Orissa Krudsak

Mahasangha, Other CBOs, (5) Movements, such as the Chilika Matasyajibi Mahasangh

(Fisherman Grand alliance), Chilika Bachao Andolan (Save the Chilka Campaign),

Campaign for Conservation of Chilika Lagoon (CCCL), (6) Grassroot Actors, like

Communities, Fisherman, Non-Fisherman etc. Similarly there are a large number of

fishing methods based on caste like Bahni, Jano, Trap fishery-Dhaudi and Baja, Dian,

Uthapani, Prawn Khatties.

The fishing and property rights are not fixed in space and time and shifts according to

shifting property relations, environmental circumstances and social conflicts among

actors both inside and outside. These different actors have'not only diverse character but

also diverse goal. The diversity of nature and goal has been the root cause of conflicts

among different actors. There has been reportedly gaps in approaches and opinions

between the state based Orissa Krushak Mahasangh and the village based Chilika Bachao

Andolan which has been equated as northern "wildernes agenda" and southern "survival

agenda"(Patra 2003).

70

In the future with changing socio-ecological system as a result of ever increasing demand

of resources conflict may take some new turns and may pose challenge to survival and

management. It is therefore necessary to understand the nature and dynamics of conflict.

Here, there is strong bonding within communities and weak linkages with outside

agencies, which has played significant role in fisheries management. The role of State in

fisheries management has increased in other developing countries and are likely to

increase in Chilika as well. So, the significance of linking social capital is particularly

important in improved fisheries governance and co-management. Here Social capital can

be refered to norms and the social networks that facilitate cooperation among individuals

and between groups of individual. It is thus needed to strengthen network across groups

and agencies in fisheries. Local institutions could be legitimised and fishing communities

can be given more rights and responsibilities to strengthen linking social capital for

improved management outcomes {Sekhar 2007).

Co-management of CPR (Common Property Resources) is a complex task. The numerous

stakeholders generally claim their right over the products of CPR yet it is the State which

has to come forward and distribute the resources equitably keeping in view the

preservation/regeneration of the resources. The issue of sustainability is also vital as over

exploitation of CPR will certainly degrade it and it may take decades to repair, keeping

the livelihood of the depending population at stake. The role of management institutions

in conflict management and acting as pressure groups has been recognized all over the

world. This is true in case of Chilika as well where a complex network of institutions

have been striving for restoration, regeneration, conflict management and growth. Chilika

is a burning example as how the International Community, Federal Government, State

Govt., NGOs, Research Organisations and Community Groups come hand in hand for a

common cause i.e. to save the Commons.

Both centre and state face a lot of pressure m making environment related laws.

Industries influence laws through business lobby and representatives of business interest.

Stringent environmental policy are resented strongly by industries and business group

influences decision making through administrative structure which have strong political

alliances with private industries (Sapru 1998). Many NGOs in India blame government

71

that they promote growth at the cost of environment for example polluter pays principle

have not been adopted in India (Gadgil & Guha 1995).

It has been generally found that environmental issues and other such related issues

become political due to the interests of many like political parties, media and pressure

groups etc. These interests may be both genuine and vested but in the end on most of the

occasion the real concerns are put in background and politics become dominant. Chilika

Lake also was not immune from such phenomenon. The following diagram illustrates as

to how an environmental issues become political:

/ ' Events

suddenness

, novelty,

symbolism

'

.,. /

Media

attention r-1 hurried,

incomplete,

distorting,

manipulative

' ~

/ ' Politics

'-. ~ Regulation Pressure groups

I+

Personalities

spiritual, t+ Business

political, moral ~

Martyrdom

innocence

betrayed

Institutional Failure

politics, economics,

law, regulation, morality

Source: Adapted from O'riordon, Timothy (2000)

72

~ opportunistic,

programmatic,

transformational

'

\

Chilika lake has been subjected to severe ecological degradation over time from both

natural and anthropogenic factors. The problems included siltation, change in salinity

concentration, increase in invasive species, aquaculture activities, eutrophication,

excessive extraction of bio-resources and an overall loss of biodiversity. These problems

resulting in ecological degradation led to changes in ecological characters and Chilika

lake was included in Montreux Record (threatened list of Ramsar site) in 1993. The

Government of Orissa established Chilika Development Authority (C.D.A.) in the year

1991 for scientific management of the lagoon as well as for conservation of lagoon

ecosystem. Chilika Development Authority chose different ameliorating measures for

sustainable management of Chilika lagoon such as i) Catchment treatment, ii) Opening of

new mouth, iii) De-siltation of lead Channels, iv) Improvement ofNalabana eco-system,

v) Fishery resource development, vi) Socio-economic development of Fishermen in and

around the lake, vii) development of communication network including ferry services

linking the island villages, viii) Environmental awareness programme for stake holders

and Education. Ahemdabad have provided facilities like multimedia presentation; touch

screen, exhibits, diorama, aquarium, observatory and a discovery room for the children.

The successful eco-restoration effort by C.D.A. led to Chilika lagoon being removed

from Montreaux record and CDA was conferred with Wetland Conservation Award 2002

(CDA 2007).

Chilika Lake was subjected to a multiplicity of pressures, ranging from local to global in

geographic scales, with impacts over short to very long periods, and with long-term

effects on the socioeconomic development of India. All these were driven in part by

market forces and in part by socio-political situations. In the case of each type of

pressure, different sets of root causes of biodiversity change are identifiable. With this

backdrop of highly diversified possible root causes, it is important to study this wetland

more closely, with a view to its conservation.

3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL ATTRIBUTES:

Chilika lake, situated in the State of Orissa covers the districts of Puri, Khurda, and

Ganjam. It is situated between 19°28' to 19°54' North and 85°05' to 85°38' East. A

sandbar of 100 and 1.5 km seperates it from Bay of Bengal; and a channel of 32 km

73

connects the main lagoon with the Bay of Bengal near the village of Arakhuda. Water

spread area of lagoon varies from 1165 sq. km. in monsoon period to 906 sq. km. in

summer season. Presently due to land encroachment its area has reduced to 760 km2(

Ghosh 2006).

Based on hydrological characteristics, the lake has been divided into four sectors, namely

northern, central, southern and outer channel (Jhingran 1963). Average depth of a major

part i.e. northern sector has 50 em. while deepest part is central sector with 3.7 km.

depth. The outer channel and lagoon has 20 em. depth which prevents exchange of

water. This is connected by a 32 km. long channel to the sea. Here, there are a large

number of shoals restricting its flow. It has pear shape with 64.3 km. length and 20.1

km average width (Ghosh 2006).

Geologically the origin of lagoon is considered to be the result of sea level rise some

6000 to 8000 years before. Pause in this sea level rise about 7000 years led to the

formation of sand beaches in its southern sector. As the sea rose further sand beach

continued to grow seaward and towards Northeast and developed today in the form of

sand spit of Chilika. Geological evidence points that seacoast was upto western border of

Chilka lake and since then it has moved continuously eastward. Fossil evidence lying in

Southwestern part of Chilika dates back to 3500-4000 years before present. The sand spit

were formed by abrupt change in the direction of coast north of Chilka lagoon, strong

wind transfering sand to the shore, presence or absence of rivers in different part and

longshore drift (Online Web: www.cda.com).

Sand spit is constantly changing its shape due to depsition of sand and choking of its

mouth and so it needs constant opening of the mouth by artificial opening, mostly being

done by local fisherfolk whose livelihood depends on it greatly. The width of its mouth

was 1.5 km at the time 1780 and declined to allmost half in next 40 years. The bed of

Chilka is constantly getting raised by deposition by river stream.

74

Figure 3.1: Location of Chilika Lake in India

KJiometers i 35 0 i

So10'0"E 85'20'0"E SS'JO'O"E

Source: CDA, Annual achievement report 2007-08

75

3.1.1 Watershed

Wetlands are the lowest point in Watersheds1 landscape and so recipient of water and

eroded material from higher in the landscape. Wetlands functions and values are

determined in part by the influx of water and other materials. So, these materials may

alter or hinder wetland processes and diminish wetland functions and values (Kent 2001).

Falling in catchment of three sub-system, the Mahanadi river system, western catchment

and the Bay of Bengal a total of 52 numbers of rivers and rivulets drain into Chilika

Lake. These rivers bring 0.65 million cu.m. of silt every year and as a result treatment in

its watershed area is very important to control siltation. Its western catchment is both

forested as well as non forested. Mahanadi river makes northern watershed and Bhargavi

river makes nm1h-easter watershed. In the west watershed boundary lies between

Rushikuliya river and streams flowing into the Chilika (Ram 1998).

3.1.2 Hydrology

Chilika has a large catchment area formed by two river systems. Mahanadi river system

pours its water via rivers of recent origin like Bhargavi, Daya, Nuna, Makra etc. A major

pm1 of fresh water are contributed by these rivers. The Mahanadi river is divided into

branches, northern Mahanadi branch, Central Debi Branch and a Southern Khukhai

branch. Water of northern branch are controlled by a gate while water of Central branch

is controlled by Byh gate. Mahanadi 's distributaries provide 60% of the total fresh water

flow into the lagoon. The second drainage system is that of the older rivers which drains

the Eastern Ghats. These streams are non-perrenial and provides 39% of the total

freshwater inflow into the lagoon. The total of 52 streams pour 1, 7 60 mcm. of freshwater

annually. Rainfall contributes about 870 mcm of freshwater annually and evaporation of

1,286 mcm is quite substantial. Chilika is subjected to very high sedimentation level due

to erosion in its catchment. Today much of its depth is 1 to 1.5 meter while 30 to 40

years ago it was 3 to 4 meters and even 5 to 6 meter at some places. This is the result of

siltation due to sand blown from the coast and, silt carried from the sea by tidal action,

1 The watersheds are natural hydrological entities that cover a specific aerial expanse of land surface from which the rainfall runoff flows to a defined drain, channel, stream or river at any particular point.

76

Figure 3.2: Chilika Lagoon Basin

SSOO'O"E 85°15'0"E BS0 30'0"E 85°4S'O"E z .-------~------------~------------~--~~~----~ ? Ill ... 0 0 N

f ? 0 0 0 N

f ? Ill 'It 0 0) ...

f ? 0 n 0 0) ...

.. .. ... . :"··

Legend

-- Stream

-- Major Road

........ Other Road 9

•• ss·o·o·e 85°15'0"E ss•JO'O"E

Source: Based on CD A. Annual Achievement Repo1t 2007-08

77

f ? 0 0 0 N

~ ~ Ill 'It 0 0) ...

z ~ 0 n 0 0) ...

85°45'0"E

rivers from eastern ghat and Mahanadi distributaries. Mahanadi distributaries are the

major contributer (75%) of the total sediments. Soil erosion are mainly contributed by

over grazing, illicit felling of trees and ruthless cutting, cultivation and clearance of

vegetation for various purpose in western catchment area. Siltation has led to a gradual

reduction in the size of the lagoon.

Diagram 3.1 : Percentage of freshwater flow in Chilika Lagoon

%of freshwater flow

• Mara'iadi Cntchmcn:

• \•'1/.:.-slern

Catchm em

From seaside the prevailing direction of wind, wave and sediment transport along the

coast from south to north. A net of 1.5x10 m per year sediment is transported along the

coast with majority of them in the month of March to October. Reversal of coastal

transport occurs in the Month from November to February. These sediments form barrier

by the combined action of wave refrection, wind transport, and emergence of the rocky

hills. Mahanadi river sediments sometime get transported southward and participates in

the coastal process and forms barrier, berms and coastal dunes (CDA 1995). The

Mahanadi flow helps in keeping the tidal inlet open. Chilka lagoon is connected to its

inlet by a 25 km long channel. The inlet migrates frequently and its location exhibit the

effect of the prevailing northerly littoral sediment transport, and a large bar lies offshore

on the inlet mouth (CDA 1995).

3.1.3 Climate

Wetlands provide function of climatic stabilisation as they have high evapotranspiration

potential and has large vegetated area that provides shadow and reduces velocity of air

78

movements (Parikh and Datye 2003). Chilika falls in tropical climate with an average

annual maximum temperature of 39.9° c and minimum temperature of 14°c. The South­

west and North-east monsoon gives it an average rainfall of 123 em. which decreases

from North-East to South-West. The inland is drier and hotter. It has winter season in

December to Febmary followed by summer season in March to May (Online Web:

www.cda.com).

3.1.4 Salinity

Salinity level in Chilika lagoon is influenced by River water discharge, wind action and

influx of tidal water. However, it undergoes cyclical variation throughout the year which

is important for biodiversity of the lagoon. In the monsoon season northern and central

sector records low salinity (1.8-2.0 ppt). The southern sector records higher salinity (6-10

ppt) due to low freshwater influx. In the post monsoon season northern and central sector

shows higher salinity due to evaporation. The southern sector records slight decrease in

salinity (7-8 ppt) due to slow mixing with the rest oflagoon. During winter season though

freshwater influx is low but northerly winds fascilitate tidal water enter in the lagoon

through the outer channel increasing the salinity. Before the opening of new mouth ,

average salinity had dropped by a third by the late 1995-1996, severly affecting the biota

of this saline ecosystem. In 2007-2008 salinity varied between 0 to 35.6 ppt. The

maximum average salinity (18.4 ppt) was recorded in the outer channel and minimum

average salinity of 6.1 ppt was observed in Northern sector. Sectorwise salinity value are

as followes:

Table 3.1: Sectorwise average salinity data during 2007-2008

Sector Range value (ppt) Average value (ppt)

Southern Sector 5.7-24.7 12.4

Central Sector 1.2-35.1 11.3

Northern Sector 0.0-35.6 6.1

Outer channel 0.8-35.0 18.4

Source: CDA

79

Diagram 3.2 : Sectorwise average salinity data during 2007-2008

Average value (ppt)

3.1.5 Water and sediment quality

I 5oLthern Sector

• Certral Sec:cr

1 Northern Sector

1 OL te- chan ·1el

Wetlands have high capacity for sediment retention as they have an outflow less than its

inflow. They are regularly flooded by a river so it has high sediment organic content.

They are also having very high rate of primary productivity as they have high plant

species diversity with no dead forested area (Parikh and Datye 2003) .

The general quality of Chilika water is alkaline in nature highest being near southern part

near Rambha. Shallow water depth of 1.5 m is found in the northern part while southern

part has 3.9 m water depth. Water transparency indicates that higher turbidity is found

due to m1xmg of surface water with sediments lying beneath (Online

Web:www.cda.com). Based on salinity the lake can be divided into 4 parts, namely

northern part, southern part, central part and outer channel. High concentration of

phosphate phosphorus (0-0.04 ppm) and nitrate nitrogen (1 0-60 ppm) and silicates ( 1-8

ppm) have been recorded in north-north west part of the lagoon where most of the river

discharges. Dissolved Oxygen varied from 1.83 to 12.46 ppm in the lagoon during the

year 2007-2008. The lowest dissolved oxygen was observed at Kaluparaghat in the

northern sector and highest at Nimunanasi in Northern sector. The average Dissolved

oxygen of the lagoon water in 2007-08 was 8.0 ppm which indicates good health of the

ecosystem.

80

l1l ..

Figure 3.3: Different parts of Chilika Lake

85'10'0"E 85' 20'0"! 85'30'0"E

Northern Sector

·. . ' • KrislmapraSild Garh

CHILKA

Southern Sector

85'10'0"!:

Kilometers 8 4 0

BS'20'0"E

Bay of Bengal

8

Source: Based on CDA map

81

Legend • Settlement

- ChllkaCanal

~N.H.5

- Outer Channel

- S E Ra1~'/JY

- Stream

Island

. Rtver

85'30'0'E

85.40'0"E

ill ..

85'40'0"E

Table 3.2: Sector wise Average Dissolved Oxygen in 2007-08

Sector Average Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

Northern sector 8.18

Central sector 8.03

Southern sector 7.67

Outer Channel 8.34

Source: CDA

Diagram 3.3: Sector wise average dissolved oxygen in 2007-08

Average Dissolved Oxygen

• t>.ortl·e" l >Ector

• Centrdl sectu1

Soutre'1 ~Ector

•OutErChan1el

Chilka Lake recorded a pH value between 6.8 to 9.67 ppm during the period of 2007-08.

The average pH value recorded was 8.22 ppm which is conducive for the growth of biotic

orgamsm.

Table 3.3: Sector wise pH data during 2007-2008

Sector Range value (ppt) Average value (ppt)

Southern sector 7.66-8.88 8.19

Central sector 6.80-9.32 8.25

Northern sector 7.12-9.67 8.26

Outer channel 7.67-8.61 8.12

Source: CDA

82

Diagram 3.4: Sector wise pH data during 2007-08

Average value {ppt) l • Sou:1ern sector

• Cen:-al sectcr

• No'L1ern sector

• Ou:er ClJ nncl

3.1.6 Morphology of the Lake

Chilika Lake has longer length than breadth. It is 64 km long in NNE-SW direction and

13.5 km wide in its breadth. It is bordered by low lying plain in the east and northeastern

side and hills on the northwestern and southwestern side. Nalabana Island in the centre is

marshy island. There are 10 km wide belt of low land consisting of a large number of

island in the embayment in the shoreline. Its origin is attributed to the formation of large

sand spit near the north (Ahmed 1998). Earlier coastline of this region was irregular and

Lhe formation of spits at the lagoon mouth has resulted in the straightening of the coast.

3.1.7Depth

Chilika lagoon had water depth of variation 18 to 628 em. during year 2007-2008.

Average water depth is about 172.8 em. The highest depth of 233.8 em was recorded in

outer channel area and 106.6 em of water depth was recorded in Northern sector due to

shallowness of the lagoon.

3.2 BIOLOGICAL FEATURES

Wetlands have very high habitat values. They provide habitat for some of the rarest

animals and plants, and a conducive environment for a wide variety of other organisms.

However, the relationship between the habitat and the flora and fauna used to be often

fragile one. They provide rich habitat, water and feed when conditions are unfavourable

to fish, bird and mammal species elsewhere (Parikh and Datye 2003).

83

Chilika is one of the finest repositories of aquatic biodiversity and a steady source of

fishery, sustaining the livelihood and nutritional need of about 0.20 million local

fisherfolk. Chilika lagoon is a hot spot of bio-diversity inhabiting a number of

endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is an avian

grandeur and the wintering refuge for more than one million migratory birds and has

global importance as a waterfowl habitat. Chilika is one of the two lagoons in the world

that support Irrawadi dolphin, which is regionally, if not internationally, important

(Mohapatra 2006).

Chilika has large variety of fauna. There are around 225 species of fishes, 61 species of

protozoa, 29 species of Platyhelminthes, 3 7 species of Nematodes, 31 species of

Polychaetes, 136 species of Molusca, 28 species of Crustacean, 30 species of Decapoda,

37 species of amphibians and reptiles, 205 species of birds, and 118 species of Mammals.

It is called heaven for water birds. About 227 species of bird including 97 species of

intercontinental origin are seen here. The intercontinental migratory birds that reach with

onset of winter season traverse via the Central Asian- South Asian flyway. Nalabana

Island located within the Chilika lagoon is well known for the vast congregation of

migratory birds. The island has been declared as bird sanctuary. Another important region

of marshy land near Mangaljodi, a fisherman village in northern part of Chilika lagoon is

important area of resident and migratory birds. Chilika lagoon has a total of nine

threatened bird species. The lagoon is home to several ecologically important species of

flora and fauna. Some of the most common varieties of crab species found in Chilika

Lake are: Scylla serrata, Neptunus pelagicus, Varuna litterata, Ocypoda Sp., and

Paratelphusa Sp. Commonly known as Chilika's famous "Tiger Crab," S.serrata is the

most important spe~ies and occurs in greater numbers than all other species combined.

However, it became a vulnerable species few years back due to over-exploitation. Five

species of prawn form the basis of the commercial prawn fishery in Chilika Lake. These

are: Penaesus monodon, P.indicus, Metapenaesus monoceros, Maffins, and Mdodsoni.

The famous "Tiger Prawn" of Chilika, P.monodon, is also over-exploited by the fast­

growing prawn industry (Wood et al. 2000).

84

Chilika lake has three types of plant communities viz. phytoplankton, seaweeds and other

vegetations. There are seasonal and spatial variation recorded with respect to the species

composition and abundance. A total of 43 species of phytoplankton, 22 species of algal

communities and 711 species of vascular plants have been recorded from the lagoon.

Chilika has 185 species of plants in the aquatic and terrestrial islands having medicinal

properties. At least 10 species are used as local vegetables, 15 as fodder, 6 for thatching

and 12 for fish food and 56 for bird feeding and nesting (Ghosh 2003). Out of 85 species

of aquatic plant 5 species of sea grasses are considered threatened due to extensive prawn

culture and habitat change; and at least one species of algae (Rosenvingea) and a species

of mangrove (Aegiceras corriculatum Blanco) are considered threatened (Ghosh 2003).

The lagoon however, was critically threatened during last few decades due to natural

changes coupled with anthropogenic pressure. In the process of degradation of the

ecosystem, the lagoon fishery became the major victim leading to the miseries of fishing

communities. Hence it was imperative to restore the fragile ecosystem of Chilika lagoon

to recover inter alia the fisheries and biodiversity for the larger benefit of the wetland

communities.

3.3 THREATS FACED PRIOR TO INTERVENTION (INTEGRATED

MANAGEMENT BY C.D.A.)

The Chilika Lagoon faced a large number of environmental changes due to influence of

many natural and manmade activities. The rapid rise in population has led to the

exploitation of lands, bodies of water, and forests has increased dramatically. This has

led to a number of pronounced problems in wetlands. Wetlands use to have more fragile

and complex ecosystem than rivers as they do not have a 'self cleaning' ability and so

they easily accumulate pollution. Wetands face a large number of ecological problem

such as eutrophication2, toxic contamination, accelerated sedimention, acidification from

atmospheric deposition, excessive water diversion, fish depletion, introduction of exotic

species and habitat alteration (Parikh and Datye 2003).

2It refers to excessive nutrients in a lake or other body of water, usually caused by runoff of nutrients (animal waste, fertilizers, sewage) from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life; the decomposition of the plants depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of animal life.

85

The resultant change was physical alteration and pollution caused by entry of chemicals

and solid wastes. The physical alteration included siltation, shrinkage of water spread

area, fall in salinity and macrophyte infestation. In fisheries sector growing conflict due

to overfishing and reclamation of shoreline areas for agriculture and aquaculture accounts

for additional threat to the overall ecology of the lagoon (Panigrahi et al. 2006).

3.3.1 Siltation

Chilika received sediment to the tune of 13 million tones per annum via land drainage

and their long resident led to the siltation. The problem of siltation was more accute in

the Northern sector and outer channel area. The Northern sector siltation led to massive

and rapid change in growth of noxious weeds, while the outer channel siltation led to

difficulties in the free movement of juvenile fishes from the sea into the lagoon and vice­

versa. All this led to loss of valuable species like prawn and mullets. It was also viewed

that the breeding and spawning ground of many important fishes, molluscs and

crustaceans were destroyed due to siltation. For example, many anadromous form such as

Hilsa ilisa failed to enter into the lagoon from rivers Daya and Bhargabi for breeding and

spawning (Panigrahi et al. 2006).

3.3.2 Loss of water spread area

Water spread area has continuously declined as it was 905 km2 in summers in 1915

(Anandale and Kemp) and by 1980 it was reduced to 790 km2• Shrinkage was also

reported in lagoon inlet area and the connecting outer channel. This occurred mainly due

to the reclamation of shoreline areas for agriculture, aquaculture and human settlements.

Choking of the lagoon mouth was mainly accounted due to deposition of marine

sediments brought to the shore by littoral drift (Panigrahi et al. 2006).

3.3.3 Salinity changes

Salinity is an important determinant of ecosystem of the lagoons. The lagoon is

connected to the Bay of Bengal by a narrow tidal inlet and constricted outer channel.

This inlet continuously shifts its position to the north affecting tidal influx into the main

lagoon. The salinity of the lagoon is inflicted by huge freshwater inflow from western

86

catchments and the Mahanadi River Delta, estimated around 3,75,000 cusecs every year .

. The sediment buildup hampers tidal influx and reduces salinity level.

Table 3.4: Salinity level in Chilika

Year of recording Average salinity

1957 27-33 ppt

1960-61 13-20 ppt

1961-64 9.4-11.8 ppt

1995 1.38-6.3 ppt ..

Source :Ashish Ghosh, Expenence bnef for Chihka lake, Onssa.

The reduction in salinity level resulted in significant decline in fish catches composition.

Such changes were mainly due to decline in marine element recruitment due to blockade

at the mouth and inhospitable habitat due to low salinity.

Table 3.5: Rank order changes of Ten different Commercial Fisheries of Chilika

due to loss of salinity

Group 1949/50-1954/55 1957/58-1965/66 1980/81-1990/92

Prawn 1 1 3

Mullets 3 2 4

Clupids 4 4 1

Perches 5 5 5

Catlfishes 6 3 6

Threadfishes 7 6 7

Scinids 8 7 9

Beloniformis 9 9 8

Elasmobranch 10 10 10 ..

Source : Ashish Ghosh, Expenence bnef for Chihka Lake, Onssa, India.

3.3.4 Water quality

Water quality degradation caused by excessive nutrients is a serious problem being faced

by all wetlands in India except high altitude trans-Himalayan glacial lakes. Pollution

87

problem is particularly pronounced in urban wetlands. Major pollutants are DDT, PCB,

mercury and many other heavy metals and pesticides in these urban wetlands. In India,

most often wetlands have been converted for agriculture and other development

activities. The human impacts in the catchment area, has led to change in hydrological

regimes affecting water levels and causing fluctuations (Parikh and Datye 2003). Invasive

alien species are another threat, that have grown profusely in the lakes, posing threats to

endemic species. The weed proliferation has led to the problems of anoxic condition and

the changes in the flora and fauna patterns (Parikh and Datye 2003).

In Chilika lake change in land use pattern and agricultural practices in the adjoining areas

led to addition of enormous amount of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in the lagoon as

residual fertilizers. Another important factor for the addition of nutrients was addition of

untreated wastewater from capital city of Bhubneshwar via Gengua nala and Daya river

(Ghosh 2006). The three factors namely siltation, fall of salinity and addition of nutrients

from the catchment greatly favoured growth of macrophytes. Macrophytes like Azola,

Pistia and emerging weeds like Eichornia and Ipomea became aboundant in number.

Weed infestation area had continuously increased over the year, for example in 1973 it

covered 20 km2 area which rose to 60 km2 area in 1977, to 100 km2 in 1982 and 250 km2

by 1985. The large-scale macrophyte growth has led to several problems like anoxic

environment near the bottom due to decomposition of litter falls and it has also affected

the breeding ground of several species (Ghosh 2006). Chemical pollution caused due to

entry of sewage, pesticides, chemical fertilizer and release of oil from mechanised boats

are increasingly posing environmental threat to lagoon ecology. According to an opinion

the incresing chemical pollution was the main reason for decline in migratory birds in the

basin.

3.3.5 Biodiversity

Chilika lake was endowed with 600 species in the aquatic, island and shore areas

according a study conducted in 1915-1924. The previous record of 428 species have

shown a positive trend of species diversity. However, many species disappeared in the

last 60 years like three species of brackish water porifera disappeared and again a number

of crustaceans , 50 species of mollusca could not be identified.

88

Table 3.6: Lake Chilika : species diversity: A changing profile (1914-15 to 1985-87)

Sl.No. Species Anandale Ghosh(ed) Reasons

(ed)1915-1924 (1995)

1. Protozoa Few 61

2 porifera 7 2 Decline m

salinity

3. Coelenterate 6 7

4. Platyhelminthes N.A. 29 2 new genera

Digenia and 8 new

species

5. Nematode 4 37 5 new species

6. Polychaetes N.A. 31

7. Crustacea 3 2 Declining

Stmatopod salinity

8. Crustecea 36 28

Brachyura

9. Crustacea 30 17

Decapoda

(Prawn

&Shrimps)

10. Molluscs 74 87 60 species's

type locality

(50 species

recorded m

1916 are not

found now.

11. Sipuncula N.A. 1

12. Echiura 1 3

13. Echinodermata 5 1

14. protochordate N.A. 1

89

15. Pisces 217 69 24 freshwater

species

16. Amphibians & 4&22 7 &23 8 species of

Reptiles 1915-24 are not

found now.

17. Birds N.A. 156

18. Mammals 18 18 5 new entrants

in place of 5

earlier records

Source: Ashish Ghosh (2006) pg. 8-9.

There are about 63 species and sub-species of plants reported between 1913-1988, which

could not be traced during 1996-2000 period; of these at least 15 are aquatic or semi­

aquatic plants.

3.3.6 Resource Conflict in the basin

Third world environmental problems are considered to be more as a result of social

action, political-economic constraints and global inequalities and less as a result of

problem of poor management, over-population, or ignorance (Patra 2005). Natural

resources use and access conflict is found everywhere. The jointly determined ecological­

social-economic system draws closer to critical biophysical thresholds, at regional as well

as global level leading to significant increase in the scale and intensity of resource

conflict (Patra 2005).

The major conflict in the drainage basin area is about resource use in terms of agriculture

intensification. Agriculture Intensification Programme (AlP) sponsored under OWRCP is

likely to further intensify the agriculture work. In the lagoon area conflict started with the

change in basic policy entitling non-fisherman community to use water spread area for

traditional culture fishery. With increasing investment from different parts of the state

and with outside conflict has kept on raising. This led slowing down in the functioning of

Primary Fisherman Co-operative Societies and finally ceasure of work. The agitated

fisherman made writ petition, submitted memorenda and went to the secretariat

90

demanding abolition of unauthorised shrimp culture within the water spread area of the

lagoon. Agitation led firing by the police and subsequently two lives were lost. This led

the Government to announce ban on all kinds of culture fisheries in the lagoon and forced

Tata to withdrew its proposed large aquaculture project.

3.3. 7 Over fishing

Chilika suffered unregulated, irrational and indiscriminate fishing activities which led to

significant decline in the Prawn, Mullet, Hilsa and crab landing. At one point of time over

1.5 lakh traps and 2100 nets were operated daily in this lake. All this led to serious

problem in sustenance fisheries and its associated socio-economic prospects of the

region. It has been observed that the loss of pelagic resources and biodiversity of

estuarine ecosystem in India occurred primarily due to overfishing.

3.3.8 The Lease Policy

The chilika lake restoration journey has been dotted with many conflicts, sacrifices, and

contests at various level. As biodiversity 'hot spots' are social and political . 'hotbeds' ,Chilika lake has also witnessed multiple interests and conflict. Prawn culture

and bund fishery (gheris) inroduction in 1991 was the driving force for some changes in

its ecology, both social and political (Patra 2005). The system of "gheri" changed the

character of lagoon impeding the free flow of water and in tum leading to sedimentation.

The prawn culture led to problem of macrophyte invasion due to additional nutrient

enrichment through prawn-feed and accumulation of faecal matter. These prawn culture

are in operation in the pretext that Hon'ble High Court of Orissa (order dt. 23.11.1998)

permitted "pen-culture" in "fringe area" of the lagoon. Responding to this about 5000

fisher folk from 145 villages in 800 boats took action by demolishing illigal prawn ponds.

Fisherman also organised Chilka Bachao Andolan (save the Chilika Movement), against

the Integrated Shrimp Farm Project (ISFP), which provided platform for raising concerns

and discontents. The very location of natural resources in an interconnected environment

space results in actions having cummulative and long term impact. It is the reason for

persistent agitation and conflict in this basin (Utting 1993).

91

3.4 MANAGEMENT OF CHILIKA LAGOON

In India wetlands suffer from lack of proper managerial infrastucture and a clear-:cut

territorial delineation. Only the wetlands of protected area network, are conserved well

but are only passively managed, depending on the main objectives of the protected area.

Wetlands ecosystems, like forests needs a separate identity and scientific management of

these dynamic systems. Several new approach in wetland management are like ecosystem

management,3 sustainable management,4 adaptive management,5 and participatory

management. 6 All these concepts overlap in their scope and have many common themes

(Parikh and Datye 2003) .

.The management of wetlands are more dependent so far on the purpose for which, they

are maintained, such as, for irrigation by the irrigation department, for fishes by the

fisheries department, for drinking water purpose by municipalities and village

panchayats, etc. management of wetlands are taken by vested interest by many

departments. The conflict of interest between several departments, sometime for the same

wetlands, has resulted in overall neglect and mismanagement of these resources. The

Government of India is signatory to the Ramsar Convention, and has appointed the

Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India to formulate the:

Wetland Committee that monitors and provide funding for restoration and conservation

projects. At the State level the "Wetland Steering Committee", is the key authority

responsible for all major wetland management decisi.ons. It is chaired by the Chief

Minister and comprises of experts, scientists, secretaries from the key departments and

representatives from the Government of India, and fishermen federations. The

Environment Division of the Department of Forest and Environment has administrative

responsibility for wetland programmes. But the two most important departments that

affect sustainable wetland management are the Department of Revenue which is

3 An approach to natural resource management which aims to sustain ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs in the future. 41t refers to finding a balance between meeting the needs of our current generation while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment for the benefit of future generations. 5 Adaptive management (AM), also known as adaptive resource management (ARM), is a structured, iterative process of optimal decision making in the face of uncertainty, with an aim to reducing uncertainty over time via system monitoring. 6 Participatory management encourages involvement of stakeholders at all levels in analysis of problems, development of strategies and implementation.

92

responsible for all land and resource tenure administration, local government taxation and

law and order, and the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resource Development

which oversees fisheries data collection, fisheries management and research and fisheries

cooperatives and training programmes.

The management of Chilika was basically related to the activities of two major

stakeholder departments till 1992, viz., the State Fisheries and the State Tourism

Departments, besides the State Forest (wildlife) Division was entrusted to look after the

Nalabana Sanctuary within Chilika. Chilika Development Authority was formed in 1992

with the following objectives: (i) For protecting lake ecosystem and its genetic

biodiversity; (ii) to survey, plan and prepare a proposal for integrated resource

management in and around lake; (iii) to understand multi-dimensional and multi­

disciplinary development activities; and (iv) to cooperate and collaborate with other

institutions for development of the lake. It is headed by Chief Minister of the state. This

institutional structure facilitated the integration and co-ordination between the

stakeholder departments and organizations. It is an autonomous body born under the

administrative control of Environment Department. The executive body of the Authority

is delegated with adequate financial power to take quick decision.

The institutional framework for Chilika is based on a principle of multi sectoral

collaboration with CDA playing the role of central coordinating authority. The earlier

problem of overlapping areas of authority and the conflict arising thereof will further be

overcome with the newly drafted bill of Government of Orissa- "The Orissa Fishing in

Chilika (Regulation) Bill, 2002". The bill provided the District Collector right to grant

lease in respect of the entire leasable area to the Orissa State Fishermen Cooperative

Federation Ltd., and has also made it mandatory to communicate the details of such lease

or sub-lease to CDA. The bill has admitted CDA as the central authority for all other

matter empowering it to make regular inspection, demolish illegal structures, to search

and seize any article of objection and to seek help of the police department wherever

needed. The present activities of CDA show a clear perception about the importance of

functioning with civil society organizations both in the basin and in the lake area. This

ensures a positive role of CDA as an institution (Rout, Online web: www.indiana.edu).

93

The policies and laws enforced in Chilika are: ( 1) Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

(2) Water Act, 1974 (3) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, (4) Coastal Zone Regulation

Rules, 1991, (5) National Water Policy, 2002 (6) The Biological Diversity Act, 2003 and

(7) Coastal Aquaculture Authority _Act. 2005. These federal acts and policies along with

the State Marine Fisheries Act and Fishing in Chilika Bill, 2002 provide a strong

foundation for implementing a process of conservation and sustainable use.(Rout, Online

Web: www.indiana.edu)

In the initial years CDA did not play any major role in the policy making activities on

Chilika. The fishing policy was highly dictated by the Revenue Department. CDA due to

its inadequate budgetry allocation could not impact on the lake management till 1997.

However, the 1Oth and 11th Finance Commission improved funding allocation for CDA.

The capacity building exercises and limited action for restoration of Chilika became

significant in 1998. Chilika Development Authority developed linkages with more than

forty institutions, stakeholder departments, agencies etc., for restoration of the lagoon.

The success of CDA has been largely attributed to strategic partnership built up through

networking, consultation and coordination with the stakeholders (Ghosh 2006).

Table 3.7: Activities of Chilika Development Authority in collaboration with Other

Organizations

Activities Groups Engaged

Involvement of water exchange and salinity CWPRS, Pune, Ocean Engineering Center,

gradient by dredging, with support of liT Chennai, CDA

mathematical model and bathymetry data

Environmental Impact Assesment of Chilika National Institute of Oceanography m Goa

Lagoon for dredging of outer channel by water (NIO), CDA

and sediment quantity study, eco-biological

quality study and circulation of siltation . process

Weed Management and eutrophication study RRL (Regional research Laboratory) (CSIR),

Bhubneshwar

94

Catchment area afforestation and soil State Forest Department, Soil Conservation

conservation Department, watershed associations

Public Awareness, eco-development In CDA/CEE (Center for environment education),

peripheral areas Community Based Organisations, NGOs

Research and training CDA

Fisheries development Fisheries Department, stakeholders, CFRI

Bird sanctuary management Forest department, Bombay Natural History

society

Source : Ashtsh Ghosh. pg. 12

Diagram 3.5: Activities of Chilika Development Authority in collaboration with

Other Organizations

95

The earlier programme of activities supposed to be implemented by different stakeholder

did not give desired result. For example, measures suggested by State Pollution Control

Board to control agricultural, industrial, domestic pollution discharge has not yet been

implemented. In this respect CDA has developed a well designed programme under SAP

(Strategic Action Plan). The data on lake water quality and lake ecosystem status are

regularly compiled on CDA database. CDA prepares action plans on the basis of current

needs for integrated management of Chilika lagoon and presents the plan to Govt. of

Orissa I Govt. of India for allocation of funds which are allocated on the basis of

approved action plan.

3.4.1 Restoration of Chilika lake by CDA

(i) Opening of new mouth: Change in lagoon nature to freshwater was a potential threat.

So, the task of possible intervention study was given by CDA to the National Institute of

Oceanography (NIO), Goa and Central water and Power Research Station (CWPRS),

Pune. NIO carried out study on wave climate in inlet, sediment transportation along the

shore and bathymetry of the lead channel. CWPRS carried out hydrological and two­

dimensional mathematical model. The study concluded that tidal flux in Chilika has

reduced due to continuous shoal formation along lead channel and continuous shifting of

mouth resulting in hydraulic head loss. It was thus suggested by CWPRS, Pune to open a

new mouth to the lagoon. Although CDA recognized the necessity that opening of a new

mouth was inevitable from scientific evidence, the above decision had still some

uncertainties and high risks, which might have had irreversible impacts on the eco-system

of Chilika lagoon. The difficult decision was taken by its visionary chief executive who

had crucial responsibility for it. He was able to take the decision of whether to open a

new mouth or not on the basis of the strength of his prominent ability of integration,

coordination and negotiation, however, he could finally make a sensible decision that the

new mouth should be opened, which resulted in successful intervention for wetland

conservation. He used his practical experience to reach his judgement. He could obtain

practical information on opening of a new mouth through interaction with some

government officers of Kushiro prefecture, researchers and the local people of Saroma

Lake, Japan, which environment is quite similar to Chilika lagoon. His visit for Saroma

96

Lake was organized by Ramsar Center Japan (RCJ) initiative, which is a NGO to help to

put into practice the basic principle of wise use of the Convention among Japan and

Asian regions.

The "Conference of Sustainable Development in Chilika lagoon" in 1998 had given him

an opportunity to interact with RCJ members. The invitation by RCJ members to visit

Saroma Lake provided useful advice and experience as a case study of Japan. This

occasion led not only to support valuable advice to make a decision to open the new

mouth, but also subsequently to establish friendly relations between Chilika lagoon and

Saroma Lake in 2003 called as "Sister Wetland". The Chief Executive through practical

evidence supported by scientific evidence took leadership and decided to open a new

mouth. In addition to this he also took decision for dredging channel and desiltation.

Putting it all together, two movements i.e. acquisition process of scientific and practical

knowledge, contributed to make a decision to open the new mouth near Sipakuda. CDA

strived to inform the local people of the decision in simple terms with local language to

have them understand and agree with the desiltation programme. There is constant

interaction between chief executive and farmers and fisherman (Iwasaki 1998).

Following the decision a new mouth was opened on 23rd September 2000 in the nature of

100 meter width and 2.5 meter below the lowest lagoon. It was expected that salinity

influx would increase by 40% and tidal influx by 45% and salinity level of 15 ppt. in

northern sector. This reduced the length of outflow channel by 18 km. An Environment

Impact Assessment and monitoring was carried out by NIO, Goa prior to intervention as

well as post intervention. The study has revealed considerable improvement in Lake

Environment.

(ii) Desiltation: The rivers such as Daya, Bhargavi and Luna deposit 4385 mcm of silt,

pebbles and clay at river mouth. CWPRS recommended dredging up of channel from

Magarmukh to river mouth of Daya, Bhargavi for 22.6 km. The dredging activity has

reduced water logging problem in northwestern sector and has facilitated free flow of

freshwater, flushing out of the sediment and reduction in freshwater invasive species and

has enhanced movement of Hilsa fish.

97

Currently crawl cat dredgers i.e. Kalijai-I and Kalijai-II is employed for desiltation

activities and the dredging activitities are being monitored by the department of Ocean

Engineering, IITM. Recently the section of Magarmukh channel & ferry route and

Magarmukh channel & Balugaon channel has been dredged in the year 2007-08. Palur

canal has been excavated to facilitate exchange of water and migration of fish between

the southern sector of lagoon and Bay of Bengal.

(iii) Catchment treatment

A holistic management of wetland involves interrelationship between upstream inland

wetlands, watersheds and coastal wetlands as there is a close relationship between them.

Watershed management attempts to sustain and improve water quality by focusing on

hydrologically defined resource areas. Watershed management integrates various effort to

manage nonpoint source of pollution. Watershed management fundamental premise is

that water quality and ecosystem issues can be more effectively addressed at the

watershed level than at the level of the individual waterbody or polluter. Watershed

management is considered to be very effective in protecting water and habitat quality as it

addresses both non point and point source of pollution. It involves a lot of innovative

solutions such as ecological restoration, protection of critical areas, wetland mitigation

banking, and watershed-based trading. Stakeholders participation are inherent part of

wetland management (Kent 2001).

Watershed management has five basic elements, such as: (1) Defintion and delineation,

(2) Characterization, (3) Prioritization, (4) Program development and implementation,

and (5) Monitoring and adjustment. In addition to this watershed management requires

development of a project team and public support. The involvement of local, state,

regional, and federal regulating agencies, research scientists, policymakers, trade

associations representatives of pollution sources, and nongovemmnetal organizations are

necessity for its successful implementation (Kent 2001).

In Chilika siltation has been a constant problem as silt are brought by as many as 52

rivers in Chilika. The hydrological intervention carried by CDA could not be a

sustainable approach to silt management unless catchment treatment is carried out

98

alongwith hydrological intervention. Thus catchment treatment with the help of

stakeholders participation is very necessary. It was necesarry to involve local people in

daily life to reduce soil degradation. The Biodiversity conservation adopted in Rio de

Jenerio 'Earth Summit' emphasizes three objectives namely, biodiversity conservation,

sustainable resource use and equitable distribution of profits from bodiversity resources

utilization. This is only possible if the local people are associated with development

activities (Patro 1998). There has been a close relation between physical environment and

human activity. When economic situation worsens people tend to overexploit the natural

resources for gaining profit. In Chilika catchment people are more dependent on erratic

rainfall dependent agriculture and thus in the event of complete rainfall failure people try

to expand their cattle heards leading to soil exposure·and erosion. Thus involvement of

people in catchment treatment became a nesessity. Participatory management in

watershed development was thus made part of the restoration plan by CDA. The

objective is to help the community to prevent, arrest and reverse degradation ·of life

support system particularly land and water, to produce biomass in a sustainble and

equitable manner. CDA undertook a pilot participatory micro-watershed management

project with the help of community to not only arrest the soil and water degradation but

also to enhance the productivity of natural resources in a ecologically and institutionally

sustainable manner. CDA aimed at facilitation of CBOs, NGOs and community by

involving them in decision making process and empowering them by capacity building

training (Iwasaki 1998 ).

CDA adopted an innovative participatory micro-watershed management concept with a

"sustainable rural livelihood approach" for the holistic management of natural resources.

The objective was to facilitate the community through empowerment to take decisions

and build capacity to work collectively. Participation of local communities and

stakeholders in planning and implementing management of natural resources and in

sharing responsibilities of decision- making is a key feature of the ecosystem approach

adopted by CDA for management of the drainage basin. Since the local community has

considerable, relevant knowledge of the ecosystem and ways in which it can be

sustainably managed, they are made a stakeholder in its implementation. The basic

approach was to create an enabling environment, through capacity building of the

99

community, community based organigations and NGOs at the outset, and a series of need

based training programs to facilitate an integrated and holistic management of

microwatershed by the community.

The purpose was to facilitate the community to manage and reverse degradation in the

watershed of life support system. Particularly, land and water conservation was the aim in

order to improve livelihood of agricultural communities. CDA adopted an innovative

grassroot approach by formulating a micro-plan, blended wth indegenous knowledge and

appropriate experts input, for optimum utilization of the natural resources in a sustainable

manner and to increase productivity and provide equal opportunity for livelihood for the

landless, marginal farmers and women. The pilot project area chosen was Dengai Pahad

micro watershed falling under Banapur Block of Khurda district. Project area is 640.745

hectares. Seven hillocks of medium height surround the villages. The project is called

"Dengai Pahad Participatory Integrated Management Project" named after centrally

located hill. This project site was selected by CDA in consultation with external groups

such as NGOs, consultants, etc., based on the following criterion:

Table 3.8: Selection Criterion of Project Site and its Remarks for Dengai Pahad

Watershed

Parameter

Topography

Basic Possession

Remarks

• The hillocks area completely barren and subjected to severe

eroswn

• The watershed area can be negotiated through the year easily

by road land use

o All the agricultural lands are rainfed.

o There is scarcity of water during summer months.

o All categories of land type like hillocks, pedi Parameterment

slope, upland, med land, extensive forest land, government

wastelands.

o Acute shortage of cereals, pulses, oil seeds and fodder, fuel in

100

the area.

Race • About 51% of population is Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe.

• More than 85% of the families are below poverty line.

Work Pattern • Huge migration of labour to distant places for earning wages

Feasibility of Management • The Range officer was well acquainted with the area because

CDA has initiated some plantation work on participatory approach

during 1999-2000

Source: Iwasaki (2007)

The plan started by developing inter-confidence among the Stakeholders by frequent

group discussions. They held informal meetings with the local people living in the project

site to ascertain their prevailing social structure and economic background which helped

to understand their ethos in those villages; the cultural practices, believes, customs,

cosmic relationship as well as the people's vision about development in relation to

modern participatory integrated watershed management. Through these discussions,

involvement of the leaders, social workers and volunteers were identified as a key to

work out the effective modus operandi for community participation in this project. It

helped in deciding finest slot to suit the lifestyle of the community and realization to

revive good indigenous knowledge to strengthen the collective and community spirit

which was further utilized for the participatory integrated watershed management

programme.

In the next step implementations of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) exercise helped

in understanding present status of the natural resources and social pressing problems, root

cause of degradation of the natural resources in the past, people's perceptions of their

immediate and long term needs etc. This exercise with people's participation enabled the

101

local people to understand their economic, social and cultural backgrounds, and promote

their motivation toward start of the project. It helped to ascertain that poverty was due to

degradation of natural resources.

Next step included training and capacity building. People were trained in, technology,

production system, people's participation, principles of fmancing, post project

management principles and methodology, participatory planning, implementation,

monitoring and evaluation, establishment of nursery and so on. Capacity building training

were impacted by specific consultants and experts of universities, government

departments which also strengthened community level institutions which will have a

great influence on ensuring the long term sustainability of those programmes. Technical

trainings included site specific agricultural and horticultural practices, suitable water

harvesting measures, in situ soil and moisture conservation, nursery and planting

techniques, pisciculture, floriculture and so on. Through the training programme efforts

were made for harmonious blending of age old traditional practices and indigenous

knowledge with modem scientific techniques.

In the process of deciding which economic activities to be taken several round of

discussion helped in deciding that actions at two levels are required; community oriented

interventions and individual or beneficiary based activities. In the first case, some

activities such as agriculture, horticulture, pisiculture, crop plantation, handcrafting, etc.

were conducted with a view to improve their economic condition. In each activity

infrastructure facility were provided by experts. In this regard, 1 0% of the total sale was

sure to be deposited in watershed development fund, which was established for the

purpose of sound management toward sustainability in their own, even after the project

was terminated. On the other hand, individual or beneficiary based activities such as

backyard plantation, sanitary latrines, improved cook stove, etc. were also carried out for

better livelihoods as well as environmental management, according to the concept of cost

sharing mechanism. For Creation of Sustainable Project Management, a watershed level

organization was initiated with a view to enabling environment with transparent decision­

making process of the project. On the other hand, the project intended to formulate user's

group, self help groups (SHG) and watershed volunteer. To facilitate their activities, five

102

monitoring committees were also formulated under the watershed association to act as a

bridge between the user's group and the consultant or experts, and monitor such activities

as agriculture, horticulture, vegetable, pisiculture, SHGs activities to confirm whether

everything in each activity is going well or not.

Women empowerment is a crucial key to improve village development and decrease

domestic violence as well as natural restoration. Two women were trained as facilitators

to carryout PRA exercise to identify their pressing problems and desired measures. The

information gathered helped in formation of 24 SHGs by utilizing micro credit and in

tum start income generating activities through some workforces by the initiative of local

NGOs and the governments. They also organized some 32 training programmes for

women empowerment, in collaboration with the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural ' .

Development as technical and financial support. Out of 32 activities for women, 21

activities are successfully still going on now. Consequently, it seems that their

empowerment against the ·prevailing social status has been getting better including

involvement of the decision-maker.

The CDA hydrological intervention helped develop environmental awareness movement.

Earlier such movements were loosely organized. Around 20 local NGOs were combined

to form a "Campaign for Conservation for Chilika lagoon (CCCL)" on 29th June 2001, in

collaboration with CDA. This helped in developing environmental awareness among the

stakeholders for better coordination of activities and information dissemination. CCCL

has accomplished several joint activities as creation of Centre for Environmental

Awareness Education (CEAE), publication of quarterly newspaper, holding of nature

camp, wall paintings, production of the audiovisual materials and its application through

the use of indigenous culture, training for the fishermen and women, etc.

103

Diagram 3.6 : Stages of Environment, Awareness and Education

Source: JICA-CDA EvaJuation Report

The activities carried contributed in developing capabilities for better livelihood and

natural restoration to a large extent The five most innovative factors towards sound

environmental management employed are: Involvement of various stakeholders with

rapport building, strong leadership, use of indigenous knowledge, self development

facilities etc.

All activities tried to involve various stakeholders in common. In the case of opening of

the new mouth, CDA sought for stronger ties with external institutions, both scienti fie as

well as non scientific. Even in the case of DPPIMP various stakeholders such as the

104

governments, local NGOs, consultants, experts, user groups and SHGs were involved in

the project site, having recognized the importance of participatory community

management. They built strong confidential relationship by way of active interaction

from the early planning stage. A series of training programmes in participatory process

made them together and resolved their ill feelings for each other with rapport building.

Leadership must be one of innovative factors in three activities.

The chief executive of CDA took a rational decision to open the new mouth based on

scientific evidence as well as practical overseas experience. At that time, his decision had

unforeseeable risks which he tried to minimize by consultation with different

stakeholders. In the DPPIMP plan the Chief executive recognized the need for

development of upstream catchment area. The introduction of DPPIMP was based on

recommendation of research institutes and personal visit and consultation with the local

people.

Every culture and society has its indigenous knowledge which helps in local decision

making. Use of indigenous knowledge inspires people as they can adapt themselves with

implementation. The use of indigenous method was effective measure to involve them in

the decision making process of DPPIWMP. In particular, out of those indigenous

practices, most unique and appealing method is Daskathia (a form of street play), which

is local traditional folklore to describe religious and mythological story through songs.

The folklore has both elements of entertainment and awareness. It is a kind of dance

music, play and comic question-answer dialogue with a pair of special wooden clapping

disks, a cymbal. A NGO staff utilized Daskathia as a tool of environmental awareness

programme combined with the topics of Chilika lagoon, root causes of environmental

degradation, importance of conservation measures and wise use practices, natural

resources, birds, etc. as well as the mythological story. It helped in local people adoption

of capacity building training without much resistance. Thus indigenous method is the best

communication and awareness methods. In the long term most of the project fails due to

lack of financial autonomy and self development plan.

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In the case of D PPIMP, the governments created "Watershed Development Association",

which aimed to drive the autonomous management mechanism led by the local people.

The association plays an important role in maintaining their continuous activities and

coordinating their demand on an as needed basis. For example, 10% of the total benefit

goes to watershed development fund, to maintain their activities and support all the

members in the project site even after the project finished. These associations have

worked without financial assistance from government after 2006 and have also prepared

micro plan after getting training program. These activities have helped in the drastic

improvement of the lagoon environment, promotion of capacity building for better

livelihood and strengthening of cooperative environmental network toward wetland

conservation among the stakeholders. All these effort has resulted in the development of

natural resources in and around Chilika Lake and has provided benefit to local people as

well. Local people are now environmentally aware about the depending relation between

human activities and environment. It provides that not only hard measures like

technological intervention but also soft measures like networking and participatory

approach is required (Iwasaki 1998).

A catchment treatment plan for Chilika lake has been developed using satellite data. It

has been carried out through management of microwatershed in the western catchment on

participatory approach with the local communities. Catchment treatment through block

plantations, rehabilitations of degraded forests have been carried out by Khurda division

State Forest Department and by CDA. In 12th Finance commission recmmendation six

micro-watershed projects have been taken up in western catchment areas of the lagoon.

Under IWDP-II 10 micro-watershed project under Bhanpur block ofKhurda district have

been taken up. The works under this project is being implemented through Watershed

Association formed at village level and is being funded by DRDAs. In 2007-08 CDA

carried out health camps and capacity building training programm for Community

development and horticulture plantations, backyard plantations, agriculture, pisciculture

and soil conservation measures through chek dams. DFO Khurda mainly worked in the

field of water resource development, forestry activities, pisciculture and road

constructions (CDA 2008). Under catchment treatment objectives plantation activities are

also undertaken including block plantation and natural regeneration measures.

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(iv)Wise use of natural resources ofChilika lagoon

Collaborative activity by community is a necessity for community development based on

conservation of natural environment and sustainable use of natural resources. It's thus

important to promote environmental awareness for conservation and sustainable use of

natural resources. Therefore CDA and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

has started a technical cooperation project since October 2006 namely 'JICA-CDA'

project for conservation and wise use of natural resources of Chilika lagoon through

Community Participation' for three years aiming for improvement of socio-economic

condition of local communities in four pilot project villages in and around Chilika as well

as scientific study of fishery resource management.

The project included environment education and awareness among the fishing and rural

communities. A sensitisation workshop was held on environmental education and

awareness in fisherman villages in and around Chilika. The main objective of the

workshop was as follows; (1) to share knoweldge of economically important species of

Chilika lagoon, especially their biological information such as migratory routes, habitat

and spawning areas, etc. (2) to promote awareness about harmful fishing activities as well

as their impact on the social and environmental aspect of the lagoon, (3) drawing

alternative plan for fishers in order to reduce fishing pressure on entire Chilika lagoon,

(4) sharing the experience of other villages where CDA-JICA project was implemented.

Workshop was held in different villages in different sector. Alltogether 10 villages were

included. Local NGOs were basically used for conducting sensitisation workshops. The

targeted people were the fishers and their wives from the listed villages, particularly

PFCS members, local people representatives, SHG members, prominent citizens in the

villages etc. The six objective such as awareness, knowledge, attitude, skills, evaluation

ability and participation were sought to be achieved through stages in line with

psychological and emotional development of the target groups. The second such

workshop has been proposed to be held in 2009, which aims at recording opinions of the

fishermen community for sustainable fishery resources management in Chilika lagoon

(JICA-CDA 2008).

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CDA carried out this project for achieving self-sustainable mechanism for conservation

and sustainable management of the resources of the lagoon with active commupity

participation. It aimed at optimisation of productivity and value addition through

appropriate technology to facilitate improved livelihood and quality of life to local

people. It was carried with the financial help given by ICEF (India Canada Environment

Facility). This included the projects like: community based ecotourism as an alternative

livelihood for fisherfolk, conservation of flagship species by creating awareness, carrying

capacity study and enhancement of fishery resources through value addition. The main

beneficiary has been local people (CDA 2008).

CDA started ecotourism in Mangaljodi, a village with huge ecotourism potential

especially with respect to birds watching. Infrastructure facilities were developed like

nature trail, small boat- landing center and watchtower to provide minor facilities to

visitors. Nature trail development along saline embankment near Mangaljodi promotes

land based birds watching and thus reduces pressure in Nalabana bird sanctuary. Boat

landing centre facilitate boat ride along the creek towards lagoon to view bird

congregaton site amidst swamps and boats could be protected in rough weather.

Watchtower also helps in bird watching.

Local boatmen were given training program at Satpada in August 2005 as a part of

·promoting community based eco-tourism. It was organised by CDA with the help of

various research institutes, NGOs etc. They were provided study material in vernacular

languages, and discussions were carried after each training session with the participants

to ascertain their need and assess the outcome. Traning program included deliberation on

topics like- lagoon eco-tourism potential; legal provision for protection and conservation;

threats to Irrawady dolphins; guidelines for dolphin watching; promoting ecotourism

through personalised service etc. The efforts by CDA led the local youth to abandon bird

poaching and adopted alternate source of livelihood. The local youth were also formed

under bird protection committee. They were trained through nature guide training (CDA

2008).

Customised signage are installed in boats farrying tourists in the lagoon by CDA in

collaboration with WWF-India. It aims at educating tourists and boatmen about the

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significance of migratory birds and flagship species in lagoon ecosystem and to highten

conservation consciousness and mitigate threats to key component of lagoon biodiversity

(CDA 2008). CDA prepared bird watching guidelines as well in the form of a brouchure.

Dolphin carrying capacity was conducted taking into account its population, their

distribution pattern in time & space and range of threat posed to dolphins. Irrawadi

dolphin watching guidelines have been prepared both for visitors as well as boat

operators. Irrawadi dolphin are found here which are globally on the verge of extinction.

It basically inhabits outer, central and southern sector of the lagoon. They are around 100

in numbers which are threatened due to operations of a variety of nets and excessive boat

traffic. The general guidelines for visitors say : 1) be careful while moving in this area,

avoid doing anything that may interfere with their activities, 2) avoid polluting water

while touring, 3) slowdown boats to avoid any danger of colliding with dolphin, 4)

distance should be kept at minimum 50 meter of dolphin spotted area, 5) While moving

in a group, advise boat operators to stay behind them, in order to avoid seperation of

individual members from the group, 6) Special care of keeping distance needs to betaken

in their reproduction period (from July to January), 7) calves without mother dolphin

should not be approached, 8) at a time maximum five boats should be in observation area,

9) do not feed as it may cause infection and alteration in their natural feeding behaviour,

1 0) at the sign of any disturbance to dolphin ask the boatman to gently proceed away

from the sea. The visitors are also provided statutory guidelines like: 1) in case of

sighting any entangled dolphin or dead dolphin, advise boatman to report to wildlife wing

of forest department, government of Orissa, or Chilika Development Authority, 2)

Penalty for violation oflaw is 10,000 Rs/- and three year imprisonment (CDA 2008).

Boatman are also provided with general guidelines and technical guidelines. The general

guidelines include ensuring minimum disturbance to these mammals, using well

maintained and noise free boats, taking limited number of tourists on board with

necessary safety measures, avoding pollution, avoiding any disturbance caused, and

providing trained guide on the boat operation. The technical guidelines includes reducing

the boat speed while spotting a dolphin, keeping approach distance to 50 meter and

proceeding from behind within 300 meter observation zone, avoiding interfernc~ to their

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social activities caused by boats, use of sign language when more crafts are present in the

observation area. The statutory guidelines are same that of a visitor (CDA 2008).

Promoting multistakeholder forum for conflict management is another aspect of wise use

of natural resources. Increased fisheries yield manyfold consequent upon restoration

program improved the livelihood condition of fishers. It also raised conflicts among

different stakeholders. These conflicts might prove detrimental for management of

lagoon so the above component aimed at addressing such conflicts by bringing harmony

in different interest groups and to maintain lagoon productivity through wise use of its

resources. The conflict management aspect included six broad conflicting issues. Further,

service and expertise of Eco-dev. Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata were taken for conflict

managernnt and six local NGOs were selected as the representative of CDA and £co­

Development consultancy. They included twelve nos. of villages i.e. two villages for each

issue for the study. The selected six NGOs were given capacity building training by

providing training on resource mapping, transact survey, collection of data from

community profile, selection of community conflict manager and key informals. These

exercises were carried out in twelve villages. A workshop was carried out involving

officials of line departments, NGOs, senior personal of selected villages , members of

motor boat association, Chilka Matasyajibi Mahasangh, local fish traders, Panchayat

Representatives etc (CDA 2008).

Another important component of wise use of natural resources include preparing fish feed

with locally available materials through Self Help Groups. The main aim of this

component was to prepare fish feed from the locally available raw materials. Raw

materials used are basically waste from the shrimp processing plants and locally available

fresh fish from the fish-landing centre, which were normally discarded and dumped at the

shore of the lagoon posing environmental problems, are being used as raw materials for

this purpose. Women Self Help Group were used to prepare fish feed with the help of low

cost machineries and locally available waste materials as raw materials for this purpose.

Central Institute of Freshwater Aquacultre (CIFA), Bhubneshwar provided technical

inputs. This component proved to be one of the most successful activity of the project.

110

Fish catch value addition through local processing has been another component of wise

use of natural resources. Earlier the fisherman used to sell their catch to middlemen, go

for distress sale or convert their surplus catch to dry fish. The whole conversion was by

women in unorganised sector and value addition was meagure thus it was unsustainable.

There was a great scope for streamlining the dry fish industry to inhance the. family

income by value addition. It was also supposed to address the problem of distress sale,

increase the income level of the communities, generate employment and facilitate better

resource utilization.

The techniques of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, (CIF A) was used for

enhancing the quality and efficiency of fish drying by use of both conventional hot air

oven, solar dryer and other dessication methods. Proper attention was given for hygenic

condition during pre-processing and dressing of the fish. In order to maintain proper

grading and packaging of dry fish small properly designed drying yards and storage

facilities have been developed. Under identification of project site two villages were

selected: Hatabardi of Chilika block and Gola of Krishna Prasad Block based on some

criteria. Local NGO Pallishree was actively involved in community organisation and

conduction of participatory rural appraisal, facilitated in production process and

marketing of final products. PRA was conducted for assessing the availability of raw

materials for preparing dry fish. Total17 SHGs at Hatabardi village and 10 SHGs at Gola

village were organised. The required equipment were installed in the working complex.

SHGs were given training programms by lectures, demonstration and hands on operation.

The fisher women were given training on various aspect of improved dry fish making i.e.

hygenic washing, salting & curing, drying process and fmal product packaging. The

training included product pricing and marketing aspect as well. The women folks were

explained-raw materials cost estimation, labour input evaluation, packaging expenses

and other overheads in order to price their product suitably. Other aspect of value

addition included prawn and fish pickle making and preservation of freshwater fishes and

developing marketing linkages. Sale of fish product was launched in State level tribal

exhibition at Bhubneshwar (CDA 2008).

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CDA has initiated a series of measures for development of a well-designed temporal and

spatial database on Chiika lagoon and its catchments which would form basis for

formulating a long term plan for conservation and management of lagoon natural

resources on sustainable basis. Some other activities for conservation and wise use of

lagoon and collection and preservation of Chilka's resources are: publicaton of

newsletter, environment awareness and conservation kit, audio visual materials, posters,

essay, painting and debate competition, cultural programs, nature camp, wall paintings,

nature trail, boat rally, observation of WWD and, a floating education center. An NGO

Pallishree started floating education center to educate the students and stakeholders from

one place to another in the boat inside the lagoon. The groups are to explore the water

quality, depth, bottom level, aquatic plants and sediments, types of weeds, birds, fishes

ncluding weather, etc. This is an alternate to the concept of CEAE and provides

opportunity to the people to go and see resources as they are (Dash 2005).

(v) Socio-Economic Improvement

The problems of peripheral villages like shortage of drinking water, lack of

communication facilities, a~sence of power in island villages etc. are being solved by

CDA by implementing infrastructure development programmes like renovation of village

ponds, construction of fish landing jetties, construction of village community centres,

providing solar street lighting system etc. in these peripheral villages. In the year 2007-08

community hall was built at Balbhadrapur and Bichhanapalli, landing centres for jetties

were built at barahampur and keshpur, Environmental awareness centres were built at

Bhusandapur, Community fish drying yard was built at Pathara, extention road approach

built at Alupatna and solar street light system have been provided in 20 island villages.

(vi) Outreach programmes

As human activities are a very important reason for resource depletion, it is viewed that

unless there is radical change in human behaviour, there is a real danger that this planet

might be destroyed completely. Peoples involvement in conservation of natural resources

basically means adopting eco-friendly practices either by active involvement or at least

by avoiding exploitative practices. Conservation education can help people change the

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attitudes towards environment. A well planned environment education can help change

people their lifestyles and become environment friendly. A conservation education

projects objective is to develop an effective methodology for conservation education for

different target group such as, local resident, government departments, NGOs, tourists,

students and teachers and to develop a range of educational resources in the regional

language to be field tested with target groups (Parikh and Datye 2003).

In Chilka lagoon several training programmes have been organised by CDA for wise use

of lagoon resources and to safeguard the interests of local communities under outreach

programe. Another important outreach program is development of Eco-park at Satpada

over an area of 1.72 acres with 315 meter perimeter in collaboration with CEE (Center

for Environment Education) Ahemdabad. The eco-park will create awareness among the

visitors about Chilika ecosystem and its importance.

A visitor Center at Satpada developed in 2002 to provide awareness about Chilika Eco­

system,and its biodiversity. Several facilities like signage, photo text panels, working

models, interactive sound system, touch screens, paintings, aquariums, bird diorama, an

auditorium and childrens play ground have been provided. Skeleton of Irrawadi dolphin

has also been displayed for education purpose. CDA has also launched an environment

education programme for school children in & around Chilika to educate childrens on

environment protection of Chilika lagoon .. The programme has covered 101 high schools

where programmes like planting of trees, green fencing around the campus, establishment

of waste bins, compost pits, celebration of environment days, organisation of rallies,

essay, debate and drawing competition etc. among the school children have been

undertaken (CDA 2008). Programms like "Discover Chilika by boat" was organised by

Pallishree on Asian Wetland week in 2003 and 2004. The children were guided by a

young scientist from CDA who explained to them about the importance of water quality,

flora and fauna of the Chilika Lagoon. The programm was successful in fostering interest

among children about the wise use of resources of Chilika lagoon (Nakamura 2005).

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(vi) Communication network development

Many fisherman villages around Chilika lake do not have proper road development which

leads to distress sale of their commodties. CDA thus developed communication network

such as bridge over palur canal and another bridge over a channel of Chilika lake in

village Poisana which facilitates communication to the villages of Krushnaprasad block

upto Jahanikuda. CDA also undertakes approach road to the fish landing centres and

improvement of village roads specially for the fishermen villages located in inaccessible

areas. Ferry serv~ce is in peration between Satpada and Jahanikuda benifitting thousands

of people.

CDA submitted an action plan for integrated sustainable management of Chilka lagoon to

the MoEF, govt. of India during 2007-08. Its objective is to achieve the sustainability and

participatory planning for conservation and wise use of the natural resources of Chilika

lagoon with active participation of local community. The components included are: (a)

catchment treatment with plantations, (b) Community development such as: desiltation of

ponds and provision of solar lights, (c) Biodiversity conservation, (d) weed control and

(e) Environment awareness and education programme. MoEF sanctioned & released 9

lacs for the abovesaid programms (CDA 2008).

3.4.2 Role of Ramsar Centre:

The Ramsar Convention gives special attention to assisting Contracting Parties in the

management of wetlands included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance

(Ramsar sites), so that Parties can comply with the requirement of Article 3.1 of the

Convention, which established that "The Contracting Parties shall formulate their

planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List, and as far

as possible the wise use ofwethinds in their territory." New Artificial Mouth of the Lake

the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) highlights the importance of the Chilika Lake

Ramsar site for its biodiversity and its economic importance to the local people. While

visiting the Lake the delegates of Ramsar Advisory Mission (9 to 13 December 2001)

have stated in favour of Local communities' participatory management. They have stated

that the participatory management practices outlined and demonstrated to the Ramsar

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Advisory Mission should be continued and extended as practicable. The Ramsar

Guidelines on local community and indigenous people's participation in the management

of wetlands (Resolution VII.8; Ramsar Wise Use Handbook 5) should assist in further

developing this aspect of the management procedures for the lake. The role of Ramsar in

removing Chilika Lake from the Montreux Record is commendable and it has given a

boost to the conservation steps.

3.5 IMPACT OF RESTORATION EFFORT

The opening of the artificial mouth in Chilika has been a historic successful intervention

for the restoraion of wetlands ecosystem in India. There are a large number of positive

impact observed after opening of the new mouth and desiltation.

Salinity: Before the opening of new mouth northern sector used to remain freshwater

almost throughout the year. The intervention led to increased salinity level upto 26.2,

21.2 & 31.2 ppt at station no. 17, 18 &19 respectively in year 2001. Before intervention it

used to be between 0.5 to 2.5 ppt in the last decade. Currently, in the northern sector the

average salinity was 6.1 in 2007-08. Maximum salinity was in outer channel at 18.4 ppt.

Fish, Crab and Prawn landing: Eurohaline form gets a desirable direction after opening

of the mouth due to gradual reduction in salinity from the lagoon mouth to the lagoon

interior. This has incresed the number of fish, prawn and crab juvenile into to the lagoon.

Fish production has increased from 1600 metric tons in the last decades to 4889.21 metric

ton in 2000-01 and further to 11988.88 metric tons in 2002-03 and is 6610.23 tons in

2007-08. The total prawn landing was 2,478 MT in 2002-03 and 3,298 MT during 2007-

08. The total crab landing was recorded at 79 MT in 1985-86, 3 MT in 1994-95, Ill MT

in 2001-02, 149.81 MT in 2002-03 and 143.03 MT in 2007-08 (Online Web:

www.cda.com).

Reappearance of threatened species: The opening of new moth led reappearance of 6

species of fish (Hilsa, Ilisa, Megalops Cyprinoides, Elops machnata, Chanos chanos,

Rhinomugli corsula, Rhabdosargus berda), and 2 species of prawn (Penaeus indicus&

Metpenaeus monoceros) which had disappeared from the lagoon.

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Migration of fish: The new mouth opening has led to decline in the distance between sea

and the lagoon by allmost 18 km, which is facilitating the migration of the catadramous

and anadramous species into the lagoon.

Sustainable practices: The increased fish production led the community to adopt self

initiated good practices like regulation of mesh size, stopping the juvenile poaching etc.

the effective communication system and consultation led CDA to adopt co-management

strategies. They are able to formulate joint strategy through sharing and exchange of

information. The information on wise use and exchange of information are

communicated though pamphlets and newsletter in local languages.

Decline in weed area: The spread of weed area was 20 sq. km. m 1972, which ' proliferated to 684.70 sq. km. in 2000. The opening of new mouth led decline in weed

spread area to 508.51 sq. km. in 2001 and in 2007-08 the area had been 285.96 sq. km.

The monitoring of the aquatic weed is carried out by the use of image processing tool.

Invasive species like hycinth declined and was replaced by the reed. In 2007-08 CDA

carried out control ofPhragmites weed by the application of a weedicide Glyphosate. The

experiment was successful in weed control (CDA 2008).

Rise in dolphin distribution : Before opening the new mouth dolphins were distributed

only in few places like inlet channel and in a limited portion of central sector of the

lagoon. After opening of the mouth Irrawadi dolphin was found distributed in the central

and the southern sector of the lagoon. This was mainly due to improvement in the water

quality, food aboundance and decrease of the area covered by weed after opening of the

new mouth (Online Web: www.cda.com). Out of the total world population of 900

dolphin, 138 dolphin are found in Chilika lagoon, the only abode of Irrawadi dolphin in

India. The outer channel section of Chilika has the largest number of dolphin.

Improved channel depth: The channel depth between Satpada and New mouth has been

increasing due to regular dredging and flushing out of the sediment through new mouth.

The average depth of 172.8 em was observed in the lagoon. The higher depth of 23 3.8 em

was recorded in outer channel area and 106.6 em of water depth recorded in Northern

sector.

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Flood control in the Northern sector: the northen sector peripheral villages did not record

flood in the year 200 1 due to efficient flood water disposal. It also led to decline in the

water level of the lagoon during monsoon period.

Reappearance of seagrass meadows: Seagrass meadows are one of the most productive

ecosystem and are mostly found in lagoon and estuary. They are breeding ground for

large number of fish and invertibrate species, turtles and dugongs. They also serve as an

important food web for coastal ecosystem. After opening of the new mouth diversity of

sea grass species increased. Three new species were observed. Halophila variety

recorded for the first time in deep waters from the creeks of Krusna Prasad island with

prolific growth during post monsoon months forming extensive meadows. The reason for

formation of luxariant growth of species is stable salinity regimes with less fluctuations

and improved water quality especially during post monsoon season (CDA 2008).

3.6 POLITICAL ECOLOGY ASPECT OF CONFLICT IN THE BASIN

Chilika lake has been very important from natural resource point of view. The increasing

population pressure has led to vested interest leading to resource conflict. It has been

marked by resistance, conflict and uprisings at various point of time. An analysis of

human-environment interaction help in understanding resource exploitation and

developing sustainable management practices. Interrelationship between social and

ecological system give birth to socio-ecological system (SES) (Patra 2005). There has

been effort everywhere to maintain the sustainability of resources by intervention at

various level and scale. The economic globalization and climate change has particularly

hastened the resource degradation. The development of institutions and governance at

various scales have in most of the cases excluded community involvement. However,

long term sustainability of resource management is only possible by involving

community though their varying claims and disputes cannot be addressed without the

intervention of the state (Rangan 1997).

Chilika lake management journey in the recent past has traversed from inclusion of the

lake into Montreux Record of Ramsar Convention in 1992 due to ecological degradation

to removal of its name from Montreux record and Ramsar wetland Conservation award

117

and Evian prize-2002 to CDA. Its journey has been marked by conflicts, journey and

sacrifices at various level. Chilika lake ecological richness, and the resources and service

derived from it has attracted many actors in this basin. Some of the actors are: (1) State,

which includes Department of fisheries, 'Tourism, Revenue, Forest (Wildlife) and the

Chilika Development Agency, (2) Multilaeral institutions like World Bank, UNDP,

Ramsar Japan fund for Global Environment, Ramsar Center Japan-Asia, India Canada

Environment Facility, Japan International Cooperation Agreement (JICA) etc. (3)

business firms, like Shrimp culture industries, Chilika Aquatic Farms Ltd., Tour

operators etc., (4) Civil Societies, such as Environmental NGOs, WWF-India, Palleshree~

Meet the students (MTS) , Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan, Orissa Krudsak

Mahasangha, Other CBOs, (5) Movements, such as the Chilika Matasyajibi Mahasangh

(Fisherman Grand alliance), Chilika Bachao Andolan (Save the Chilka Campaign),

Campaign for Conservation of Chilika Lagoon (CCCL), (6) Grassroot Actors, like

Communities, Fisherman, Non-Fisherman etc. Similarly there are a large number of

fishing methods based on caste like Bahni, Jano, Trap fishery-Dhaudi and Baja, Dian,

Uthapani, Prawn Khatties. The fishing and property rights are not fixed in space and time

and shifts according to shifting property relations, environmental circumstances, and

social conflicts among actors both inside and outside. These different actors have not

only diverse character but also diverse goal. The diversity of nature and goal has been the

root cause of conflicts among different actors. There has been reportedly gaps in

approaches and opinions between the state based Orissa Krushak Mahasangh and the

village based Chilika Bachao Andolan which has been equated as northern "wildernes

agenda" and southern "Survival agenda" (Patra 2005).

In the future with changing socio-ecological system as a result of ever increasng demand

of resources conflict may take some new turns and may pose challenge to survival and

management. It is therefore necessary to understand the nature and dynamics of conflict.

Here, there is strong bonding within communities and weak linkages with outside

agencies, which has played significant role in fisheries management. The role of State in

fisheries management has increased in other developing countries and are likely to

increase in Chilika as well. So, the significance of linking social capital is particularly

important in improved fisheries governance and co-management. Social capital refers to

118

norms and the social networks that facilitate cooperation among individuals and between

groups of individual. It is thus needed to strengthen network across groups and agencies

in fisheries. Local institutions could be legitimised and fishing communities can be given

more rights and responsibilities to strengthen linking social capital for improved

management outcomes (Sekhar 2007).

The Chilika wetlands, an internationally important wetland has suffered threat both in

physical terms as well as conflict in the basin due to different actors involvement and

poverty. CDA has done exemplary work in restoring the wetland ecology and minimizing

the conflict in the basin by adopting ecosystem approach including adaptive management,

participatory management and sustainable development policy. There is need of further

carrying forward this aproach and taking the lessons from its failure and success and

moving forward in the restoration effort.

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