**Summary:**
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reports on conservation measures undertaken by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) to protect the Chilika Lake ecosystem in Odisha. Key initiatives include excavation of feeder channels, deweeding of water hyacinth, dredging of lead channels, and bird monitoring/conservation at Nalaban and Mangalajodi. Infrastructure development to support the fishing community encompasses construction of fishing jetties, boat shelters, community halls, approach roads, lighting, and water supply to ten fish landing centers. Mangrove plantations have been established in the outer channel near Sipakuda and Gabakunda villages.
Water quality is monitored monthly at 33 stations across four sectors of the lake to assess its health. Efforts to control human-induced pollution involve regular maintenance of dredging channels to stabilize physicochemical parameters crucial for biodiversity. Dolphin watching SOPs have been developed and are enforced by the Chilika Wildlife Division to mitigate tourism's impact on Irrawaddy dolphins. The Puri District Authority has formed a committee to determine boat carrying capacity in the outer channel.
District authorities, supported by CDA, have removed over 152 square kilometers of gherries to restore the sea grass ecosystem. The Ministry provides funding under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems and Development of Wildlife Habitats. Local fishing communities are involved in the integrated management plan, awareness campaigns for dolphin, migratory bird, and olive ridley conservation. Local youth are engaged as watchers, and fishermen assist in marine animal stranding and bycatch release. Stakeholder engagement has contributed to increased bird and dolphin populations and olive ridley visits.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Key Entities Referenced
Chilika Lake: A brackish water lagoon located in Odisha, India, and a Ramsar site of international importance.
Odisha: A state in India where Chilika Lake is located; the Government of Odisha is involved in its conservation.
Chilika Development Authority: The organization responsible for the conservation and management of the Chilika Lake ecosystem.
Nalaban: An important bird congregation area within Chilika Lake.
Mangalajodi: An important bird congregation area within Chilika Lake.
Irrawaddy Dolphins: A dolphin species found in Chilika Lake, subject to conservation efforts.
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Government of India under which funds were provided for Chilika Lake conservation.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE who provided information regarding Chilika Lake ecosystem in Odisha
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: CHILIKA LAKE
ECOSYSTEM IN ODISHA
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 4:47PM by PIB Delhi
As reported by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, the Chilika
Development Authority (CDA) has taken several measures to conserve the lake ecosystem. It includes
excavation of the feeder channel, de-weeding of the water hyacinth, dredging of the lead channel, bird
monitoring and conservation at Nalaban and Mangalajodi important bird congregation areas. Construction of
fishing jetties, boat sheltering yards, Community Hall for fishers and construction of approach roads, lighting,
and water supply to ten fish landing centers have also been taken up. In the outer channel of the lake near the
villages Sipakuda and Gabakunda, plantation of mangroves has been carried out.
The water quality of the Chilika Lake at predefined 33 stations spread over four sectors of the lake is
monitored monthly to ascertain the health of the lake. Specific actions have been taken to control human-
induced pollution and restore ecological balance in these wetlands, such as, dredging channels are regularly
maintained to stabilize the lagoon's physico-chemical parameters which are a critical factor for biodiversity.
Proactive approach ensures the safety of aquatic life, such as fish and shellfish, while promoting sustainable
biodiversity conservation in these ecosystems.
Several measures have been taken to reduce the impact of tourism on biodiversity, particularly the Irrawaddy
Dolphins population in the narrow outer channel, such as, Standard Operating Procedure for dolphin watching
has been developed. Further, the regular patrolling is done by Chilika Wildlife Division staffs to ensure its
adherence. Puri District Authority formed a high level committee to suggest the carrying capacity for the
boats plying in Chilika outer channel for maintaining the biodiversity. Regularly, the eviction of the gherries
have been undertaken by the District authorities and CDA supports the same by provisioning of manpower,
boats, excavators and logistics. More than 152 square kilometers of gherries have been removed from Chilika
during joint enforcement drives which restored the sea grass ecosystem.
Ministry has provided funds for Chilika Lake, a Ramsar site under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme
of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems and Development of Wildlife Habitats, for
its conservation and management.
During preparation of Integrated Management Plan for Chilika Lake, local fishing community’s views
and opinions were taken. Local fishing communities were involved in creating awareness on dolphin
conservation, migratory bird protection and olive ridley conservation during the nesting season.
Local youth were engaged as watchers for the information collection and patrolling. The local
fishermen also help during marine animal stranding, release of bycatch and also in many other
ways to support the mandate of conservation. Continuous stakeholders meet and sensitization of
the fishermen has led to increase in bird and dolphin population and also olive ridleys visit in Chilika
Lake.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST
AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya
Sabha today.
****VM/SK
(Rajya Sabha US Q1336)
(Release ID: 2150780)