Chilka Lake is a brackish water lagoon with water spread ranging from 1100 sq km in the rainy season to 906 sq km in the dry season along the coastal Orissa. It is spread across Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts in Orissa state on the east coast of India. This lake which is at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, is the largest lake in Asia and second largest in the World.
There are several entry points to the lake. During our trip of Orissa we started an early morning from Puri after vising Puri Jaganath Temple. We reached the lake through Satapada which is around 60 kms from Puri.
The ecosystem of this lake has large fishery resources supporting livelihood of lot of families on the coast. In the winter season large number of migratory birds flock to this region from as far as Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas. Unfortunately when we were there it was almost end of season but we tried to make most of what we could get to see.
The kids were excited in the 3 hour trip through the lake and other prominent attracktions here are:
This lake is the home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India. This is a endangered species and this lake is one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species.
Birds at Chilka: Black Headed Ibis, Eastern Egret, Cormorant, Indian River Tern, Great Eastern Egret Fishing, Colony of Indian River Tern (1 ),
There are several entry points to the lake. During our trip of Orissa we started an early morning from Puri after vising Puri Jaganath Temple. We reached the lake through Satapada which is around 60 kms from Puri.
The ecosystem of this lake has large fishery resources supporting livelihood of lot of families on the coast. In the winter season large number of migratory birds flock to this region from as far as Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas. Unfortunately when we were there it was almost end of season but we tried to make most of what we could get to see.
The kids were excited in the 3 hour trip through the lake and other prominent attracktions here are:
- Red crab
- Fresh water pearl
- Temple by the side of lake
- New Sea Mouth
- Irrawaddy Dolphins
This lake is the home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India. This is a endangered species and this lake is one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species.
Birds at Chilka: Black Headed Ibis, Eastern Egret, Cormorant, Indian River Tern, Great Eastern Egret Fishing, Colony of Indian River Tern (1 ),
Looks like a fun place to visit!
ReplyDeleteDespite the time of year you still saw lots of wildlife.
ReplyDeleteI amazed at the size of the lake! I guess I am surprised to see such a large body of water in India, but I guess being at the mouth of a river helps!
ReplyDeleteHope they catch plenty of fish. Awesome shots!
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
cool fishing shot :)
ReplyDeletegreat captures
ReplyDeleteThe fishermen are sure-footed folks!
ReplyDeleteDesert Reds
Beautiful photos! Hope the ecosystem continues to be same. This remind me the Pulicat Lake near Chennai.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Love the one of the fishermen and their net. Visiting from Mellow Yellow. Blessings, Debbie
ReplyDeletePretty shots of the lake and I love all the birds. It would be cool to see the dolphins. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder the kids were excited -- I would have been too! Dolphins are wonderful...I hope they thrive in your lakes.
ReplyDeleteWhat joy !
ReplyDeleteThank you for this nice journey.
robert geiß
Excellent! Such an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful lake. Sometimes I wish I lived near the water, but it's nearly a desert here.
ReplyDeleteA cruise on this lake sounds absolutely wonderful. Thanks for the information on this interesting lake.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see the dolphins and catch some crabs. :)
ReplyDeleteLook like a interesting visit to the lake. Nice information and photos about the huge lake.
ReplyDeleteMust be a very nice place to spend some holidays !
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely lake and you have captured it well.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/04/ruralscapes-of-india.html
the lake looks wonderful and it would be a great experience to see the dolphins up close.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful, serene looking place.
ReplyDeletewhat an important system to protect. nice photo of the fisherman on the lake.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely lake to spend some lazy summer days!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
that crow has an amazing hooked bill!
ReplyDeletenice place to fish, looks like!
Beautiful lake and an interesting post. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post Rajesh. Nice collage of the birds you saw.
ReplyDeleteI would think the fishing would be detrimental to the dolphins. Perhaps the fishing is limited?
Lovely shots!
What an amazingly Large Lake.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting photos too.
fascinating how far birds migrate!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
A great bird post, well done!
ReplyDeleteMore beautiful places and photos of your country ~ Great post for 'L' ~ ^_^
ReplyDeletelove learning about different places around the world...thanx for sharing your pix and commentary....
ReplyDeletenice side trip to all the temple visiting.
ReplyDeleteA great series of photos and a very interesting place to visit.
ReplyDeletewonderful photos, a beautiful lake ...!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place for the birds to fish!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the boat... beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderful captures. I think this would be a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteStunning lake!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.1sthappyfamily.com/2013/04/a-ready-boat.html
Fascinating place! Looks like the kids are all having great fun!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lake and scenery. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteL is for...
What a size, it must be quite a sight when all the migratory birds arrive. I like the photo of the one takings its chance with the fishing nets, always opportunists.
ReplyDeleteIrrawaddy dolphins from Burma? did they escape from there?
ReplyDeleteThank you all for appreciating this beautiful lake.
ReplyDeleteThe beak on that crow is remarkable!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW- Stewart M - Melbourne
Looks like a very peaceful lake.
ReplyDeleteCatching up (again) for L entries, oh Lord, I am always LATE!
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you shared this.
Great pics :)
I remember going there with my parents. The post invoked those happy moments.
ReplyDeletereally good shot!!
ReplyDeleteBeing a person from that area, I should thank you first for putting Chilka to the world of blogs :) You should visit Chilka in Oct-Dec to experience its beauty through the Siberian birds...
ReplyDeleteDelightful pics.
ReplyDelete