What is Chilika Lake Famous For? 

When I visited Chilika lake for the first time, I really felt that I have reached the sea at Bay of Bengal.

Though I had not , but actually I had!

Chilika lake is located at the end point of Daya river before flowing into the Bay of Bengal on the eastern coast of the state of Odisha.

The route to Chilika from Bhubaneshwar really made me ponder- Why so many people were heading to Chilika?

Well , read on to know What is Chilika famous for?

 

 

What is Chilika Lake Famous For?

1. Largest Lagoon: Chilika lake is a lagoon on the Odisha (previously Orissa) coast which is the largest in Asia and also happens to be the second biggest salt water lagoon in the entire world.

 

 

 

The eco-system of the lake is so huge that it is the lifeline to almost 2 lakhs people in the islands of Parikud, Berahpura, Phulbari,Nalbana, Nuapura and Tampara. 

The surface area of the lake is approximately 1200 kilometre square during monsoons and is soon going to be a part of the  UNESCO world heritage site.

The lake is spread across three districts of Odisha namely- Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts of Odisha.

2. Migratory birds: It may be noted that the lake is a host to around 160 species of migratory birds from various parts of the world.

 

These birds reportedly arrive from Caspian sea, Aral sea, Baikal lake, Russia, Ladakh , Kazakhstan and other far-flung regions of the worlds.

Experts opine that some birds reach Chilika lake after travelling as long as 12,000 kms across the globe.

The peak of migratory season is a treat for bird lovers and ornithologists. The main birds seen on the isles and water are raptors, waders and waterfowls. 

 

 

What is Chilika Lake Famous For? 

3.  Endangered dolphins: A major draw of Chilika lake is a rare and endangered species of dolphins called the Irrawady dolphins. Last statistics reveal that there are around 162 of them in the lake.

 

                                                                          Representational Image only

 

There are also some 20-25 bottlenose dolphins in the lake.

 

The Odisha forest department has been very delighted of late,  to reveal the fact that the count of Irrawady dolphins has doubled in a year.

This particular species of dolphins are seen only in Asia between the regions of Chilika lake and Indonesia. 

 

The best time to spot the dolphins is in Satpada islands between 7 and 9 am.

 

4. Amazing Aqualife: The lake is also  home to some amazing aqualife which is unique to this region. It is estimated that around 37 varieties of amphibians and reptiles have permanent habitat in the lake.

The eco-system is such that it protects and sustains all of them in this large brackish lagoon. 

It gathered a lot of international attention in 1994 when around 2,00,000 Olive Ridley turtles nested in the rookery of Chilika lake.

There are around 321 species of crabs and fish in the lake out of which species are much in demand due to their taste and specialty. 

 

What is Chilika Lake Famous For?

 

5. A Perfect Getaway: Take an immersive time (literally) in the vast expanse of the never-ending looking Chilika lake by boating to various islands around. 

 

 

 

Beacon Island, Bird Island and Satpada in the north Cape of the lake are some intriguing places to go on boating on a leisure mode. The beauty of the islands has to be seen to be believed.

Whether it is sunrise or sunset, I am sure you will get a picture- perfect postcard kind of photos ! Not many places in the world can boast to have equally spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

I found the blueness of the lake both eerie as well as mystic. The idyllic reluctant waves give me both a sense of friendship and at the same time, a sense of the unknown. 

I feel Chilika lake must be on your itinerary the next time you visit Odisha or the Eastern Coast. 

It is not a hyped destination as other tourist locations, but once you reach there, I am sure you will be satiated.

So don't miss Chilika lake  the next time you visit Odisha!!