The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) is carrying out surveillance over the entire lake to assess its ecological position. Chilika is an ecological wetland but it is regrettable that a map of the lagoon is not prepared yet for its proper and sustainable management. 20 groups of trained people are carrying out the surveillance throughout the lagoon to know the status of the wetland.
The writer has visited Chilika several times and every time, there is a feeling that its bio-aesthetic value was deteriorating very fast due to unprincipled biotic interferences. As it is learnt, the focus of the operations is the unauthorized Gherees made throughout the lagoon for artificial cultivation of prawns, which amounts to serious economic and ecological exploitation beyond the lake’s carrying capacity.
The writer recently visited Chilika as invited by the Chilika Machhyajeevi Mahasangha and found that although the unauthorized Gherees are demolished and removed from Chilika by the concerned district authorities of Khorda, Puri and Ganjam with the help of
Forest administrations, yet the same is again erected by the prawn and shrimp cultivators to which the Mahasangha was vehemently opposing. It happens as there is no follow- up actions to prevent such disastrous economic practices as well as for lack of lawful actions against the violators. The health of ecological systems of Chilika is constantly damaged due to artificial cultivations of the crustaceans, where the natural eco-system is cleared and removed and the crustaceans are grown by artificial means. The chemical feeding is also carried out to achieve faster growth and higher output of prawns by the cultivations.
So, constant surveillance is required which the Mahasangha demanded.
Not only the Chilika lagoon, but also the seacoast of Odisha is spoiled ecologically through prawn cultivations. No doubt, certain groups of people are economically benefited by this, but in the long run, the whole coastal ecological system will be spoiled. Once the natural quality of the soil and water is spoiled, the whole ecological systems of the coastal zone stand spoiled and ultimately, that will affect the entire food chains.
Now, the artificial cultivation of prawns in the sea-coasts of Odisha has gone to the control of the State administration. The encroachment of Government land along the sea-coast is rampant. The Chilika is not an exception. So the boundary lines of Chilika should be well demarcated and fixed permanently to avoid further encroachment. As informed, there are permanent fishery ponds in Chilika and Dalua paddy cultivation is going on, where the portions are silted up and swamp has been formed. The part should be kept under the surveillance activities. Similarly, siltation of Chilika should be arrested. The watershed areas of Chilika should be well demarcated and protected from soil erosions. Soil conservation practices with rehabilitations of degraded forests should strictly be followed to maintain the qualities of salinity of whole water territory as well as of different ecological systems in Chilika.
The Nalaban Sanctuary is a specially featured lagoon-based sanctuary of Irrawaddy Dolphins and 95 species of migratory birds. The whole Nalaban or the forest consisting of marshy plants is a fascinated groups islands studded with sandy beaches and interspersed with casuarinas (Jhaw) plantations. The casuarinas species is a very good soil binder and grows well in brine sands. Here, a variety of aquatic reptiles like snakes, lizards, and mammals like Dolphin are noticed.
Besides dolphins, the Olive Ridley sea-turtles also come to its beach for nesting and breeding during winter and late winter. The Rushikulya river mouth comes within the ambit of the lagoon, which is a permanent ground of nesting site of lakhs of Olive Ridley sea turtles. It is a continuous process and the climate as well as the nesting site of these reptiles must be kept healthy and protected for the progenitors.
The Zoological Survey of India in 1986-87 surveyed the entire wetland of Chilika, mostly the Nalaban, which is a biodiversity wonder.
Several varieties of phytoplankton algae and aquatic plants are also seen in the region, which forms the stable food chains for nature’s aquaculture. The total number of fish species in Chilika is 225 and one lakh fisher families depend on the lake for their livelihood. So, the authorities need to take them into confidence for scientific management of the wetland.
The Chilika lake itself is a land of international importance. It was in 1981 declared a Ramsar site for conservation measures. The zoological diversities of the land attract water fowls of different kinds from different parts of the globe. During 1989-90, two millions birds of different kinds came to the lagoon to pass the winter, which is a record. So such a precious ecological site must be thoroughly surveyed.
Now, the lagoon is severely prone to pollutions of different nature.
The pollution by way of polythene garbage is a great threat to the lagoon. The floating tourists and the local residents throw carelessly the used polythene packets and carry bags into the lagoons, which damages the sanctity of the lagoon. Similarly, the shopkeepers of different natures around the Chilika are also equally responsible for such physical damages of the lagoon. Specially, the eateries should be strictly asked not to use or allow the tourists to use polythene.
Besides polythene or plastic, oil spill from boats and motor launches that mixes with its water is no less dangerous for physical damage of the Chilika wetland. The whole water of the lagoon gets polluted and poses a threat to the flora and fauna. Hence, the oil pollution must be prevented through uses of battery driven boats and launches.
Prawn cultivation is going on throughout the year besides with mechansied fish harvesting which spoils the whole activities of the lagoon beyond the self bearing capacity of various ecological systems.
The whole water body is not only seriously disturbed, but also is poisoned being chemically and mechanically charged. Unless the ecological process of the nature is not allowed to work through extreme biotic activities, the lagoon will be at stake.
Now, the bird flu is going on in the coastal zones. The common crows, peacocks and fowls are becoming victims through this epidemic. If the water body of Chilika is contaminated, the whole bird sanctuary of Chilika will be affected and the epidemic cannot be controlled easily.
Similarly, the epidemic among bovines like buffaloes is now prevailing in the northern coast of Odisha, which is not far off from Gahirmatha and Chilika. All these nesting sites must be scientifically protected lest there should not be any chance of water contamination.
(The writer is a former forest officer and environmentalist, Email: nadiya.kanungo@gmail.com; Mob-9937460649)