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> Chilika |
Chilika |
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Survival Guide |
• Permits to visit the sanctuary can be
obtained from the Wildlife Office counters at Balugaon or from
the Divisional Forest Officer.
• A document such as
a passport, containing name, age, nationality, occupation and
address is required along with a declaration stating the purpose
of your visit.
• Entry fees levied are nominal.
• Permits for professional photography and scientific
research must be obtained from the Divisional Forest Officer
only.
• A scientific study team can include a maximum
of five members.
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History / Geography |
The Chilika Lake was declared a sanctuary in 1972
and later, in 1981 it was declared a wetland of international
importance under the Ramsar Convention. In December 1987, 15.53
sq km of Nalbana island was also declared a sanctuary. Chilika
was once a deep and open bay where merchant ships dropped anchor
en route to Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra and Khamboj -- the fabled
spice lands of the East. The relatively new sandy ridges that
now give Chilika its unique pear shape prevent it from being
used as a deep drought harbour any longer.
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Legends |
The 4th century pirate King Raktabahu (or Red
Arm) was believed to have travelled across the seas in an armada
to plunder the rich and holy town of Puri. The citizens of Puri
deserted the town in anticipation of the attack. Raktabahu was
enraged that the approach had proved futile and therefore directed
his fury towards the sea that had betrayed him. The sea parted
to let the army march in before the waves turned in and smothered
the entire lot in its tides. This is a 4th century tale that
is often told to explain the birth of Chilika.
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Conservation Notes |
| Natural problems include sedimentation and silt
deposition with consequent clogging of the mouth of the lake
that opens out to the sea. The heavy silt also enhances uncontrolled
weed growth. Poaching, habitat destruction, pollution and fishing
are perpetual man-made problems Encroachments along the lake
area are the most severe threat to its existence.
Since the area is especially rich in prawns, a veritable
mafia has moved in to exploit Chilika's resources. This seriously
threatens Chilika's ecology. The Chilika Lake's existence
was threatened in the late 80s by a proposal to construct
a commercial prawn-cultivation farm by the Chilika Aquatic
Farm Ltd.
Meanwhile, Chilika continues to battle illegal prawn-farmers.
The pollution in the lake itself will have a reverse effect
and destroy the prawn population sending it into an endless
'cause-and-effect' loop. Since December 1996, all prawn farming
in Chilika has been banned except traditional farming that
can be carried out within 1,000 m of the lake's high tide
line.
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Suggested Reading |
| • Sanctuary Asia Vol.XII No.4, 1992. Chilika:
Orissa's miracle lake by Prithwiraj Misra |
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