What is famous for chilika lake

Here's a concise overview of Chilka Lake:

*Location:*

- East coast of India, Odisha state

- Puri and Ganjam districts

*Geography:*

- Largest brackish water lagoon in India

- 65 km long, 906-1165 km² area

- Connected to Bay of Bengal through 29 km channel

- Depth: 3.6-25 meters

- 3 sectors: Northern, Central, Southern

*Water Sources:*

- Rivers Daya, Nun, Bhargovi (Mahanadi distributaries)

- Rainfall-dependent discharge

*Features:*

- 20,000 ha littoral zone for prawn culture

- Small islands, swamps, waterways

- Artificial channel connecting Palur Bay and Rushikulya estuary

*Seasonal Variations:*

- Area: 1165 km² (monsoon), 906 km² (dry season)

- Depth: 25m (summer), 3.6m (flood season)

*Lake Characteristics:*

1. Largest brackish water lagoon in India

2. Located in Odisha, eastern India

3. 65 km long, 906-1165 km² area

4. Connected to Bay of Bengal through a 29 km channel

5. Depth: 3.6-25 meters

*Fish and Fisheries:*

1. 225 fish species, 15 orders, 71 families

2. 16 commercially important species

3. Dominant species: Mugil cephalus, Liza troshelli, Lates calcarifer

4. Prawn species: Penaeus indicus, Penaeus monodon, Metapenaeus monoceros

5. Crab species: Scylla serrata, Portunus sp.

*Fish Migration and Breeding:*

1. Catadromous species (80%): breed in sea, migrate to lake

2. Anadromous species (15%): breed in lake, migrate to sea

3. Endemic species (5%): breed in lake

*Fish Food and Predators:*

1. Natural food sources: detritus, algae, zooplankton, insect larvae

2. Predators may impact prawn and mullet yields

*Fisheries Management:*

1. Annual catch: 4000 tonnes

2. Dependence on migration (70-80%)

3. Importance of outer channel condition for migration

*Challenges:*

1. Low migration rate

2. Predation

3. Habitat changes

*Conservation Efforts:*

1. Monitoring fish populations

2. Habitat preservation

3. Sustainable fishing practices

*Fishing Crafts and Gears:*

1. Nets: Fixed gill net, fixed net, gill net, drag net, cast net, seine net, scoop net

2. Boat types: Country boats, mechanized boats (mainly for transportation)

3. Fishing methods: Gill-cum-drag netting, cast netting

*Conservation Challenges:*

1. Siltation: Reduced lake area from 906 km² (1965) to 620 km² (1995)

2. Weed infestation: 60-950 kg/m²

3. Man-made breakthrough: Altered lake ecology

4. Overfishing: Decreased fish landing from 4,243 tonnes (1990) to 1,270 tonnes (1995)

5. Prawn catch decline: 28% to 14%

6. Habitat destruction: Fixed small meshed gill nets, pens with fine mesh nylon netting

7. Entanglement: Irrawaddy Dolphins (population reduced to 50)

*Conservation Status:*

1. Designated wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention

*Needed Conservation Measures:*

1. Regulated discharge from incoming rivers

2. Siltation control

3. Habitat preservation

4. Sustainable fishing practices

5. Enforcement of fishing regulations

6. Protection of Irrawaddy Dolphins

Chilka Lake's fisheries face significant threats from human activities and environmental changes, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation action.Chilka Lake's unique ecosystem supports a diverse array of fish and prawn species, but faces challenges impacting fisheries productivity.