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Chilika is the largest lagoon along
the east coast of India, situated between latitude 190 28 and 190
54 N and longitude 850 05 and 850 38 E. The lagoon
is
a unique assemblage
of
marine, brackish and fresh water
eco-system with estuarine characters. It is one of the hotspots of
biodiversity and shelters a
number
of endangered species listed in the IUCN red list of threatened species, and
also is a designated Ramsar site. It is an avian grandeur and the wintering
ground for more than one million migratory birds. The highly productive
lagoon eco-system with its rich fishery resources sustains the livelihood of
more than 0.15 million-fisher folk who live in and around the Lagoon.
The water spread area of the Lagoon varies between 1165 to 906 sq.km during the
monsoon and summer respectively. A 32 km long, narrow, outer channel
connects the lagoon to the Bay of Bengal, near the village Motto, recently a
new mouth was opened by CDA which has brought a new lease of life to the
lagoon.
The total number of fish species are reported to be 225 (Dean and Saaltink,
1991). Along with a variety of phytoplankton, algae and aquatic plants, the
Lagoon region also supports over 720 species of non-aquatic plants (CDA). A
survey of the fauna of Chilika carried out by the Zoological Survey of India
in 1985-87 recorded over 800 species in and around the lagoon. This list
includes a number of rare, threatened and endangered species, including the
Barakudia limbless skink. On account of its rich bio-diversity, Chilika was
designated as a "Ramsar Site", i.e. a wetland of International Importance.
The Nalaban Island within the Lagoon is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under
Wildlife (Protection) Act, the lagoon is also identified as a priority site
for conservation and management by the National Wetland coral reefs
Committee of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The
Lagoon is a highly productive ecosystem and with its rich fishery resources
sustains the livelihood of more than 1,50,000 fisher folk who live in and
around the lagoon.
The mouth connecting the channel to the sea is close to the northeastern end
of the Lagoon.
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