Chilika Lake

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Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon with estuarine characteristics along the east coast of Indian sub-continent in Asia and second largest coastal lagoon in the world, its area ranges from about 900 to 11,165 sq km during summers and monsoon respectively. It is spread over the Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the first two wetlands in India to be designated as a Ramsar site, receiving this recognition in 1981. It has been listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site. Its salinity varies by region, from freshwater where rivers flow in, to oceanic salinity levels due to tidal influx. Chilika is recognised as one of the best-managed Ramsar sites in Asia and received the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award in 2002. The lagoon supports extraordinary biodiversity including over 225 bird species, the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, and numerous fish, invertebrate, and aquatic plant species. It provides livelihoods to approximately 200,000 fisherfolk from over 130 villages around its shores. Chilika Lake is also a globally significant wintering ground for migratory waterbirds.