The climate system of the Chilika lagoon as a whole has been mis-managed for various political and economic reasons since Independence.
Chilika lagoon has been inherited from Parikud ex-zamindary after Independence, like the Bhitarkanika estuarine forests of Rajkanika princely State and the Kujang forests of Kujang ex-zamindary. Before and after the British regime, no scientific management based on proper planning was made for conservation, protection and development of these biological complexes. On the contrary, a perpetual clash between economy and ecology brings degradation of the bio-complexes.
Even now most of the ex-zamindary forest lands and lands of ex-princely States are as per the Revenue records under the title of Anabadi, where the trees belong to the State Forest Department. Forest is a State subject. The Centre has nothing to do with the matter. The Forest (conservation) Act 1980 emphatically states that no forest land can be used for any non forest purposes.
Chilika lake itself and the estuarine forests or the forests of brine soil profile and aquatic ecosystems have fallen victim of the Revenue laws and Revenue administration. This has happened due to unlawful management of forest lands and forest resources. If we take the case of Chilika, the major areas of the lagoon come under ex-Parikud zamindary and very small extent of area comes under Banapur Khasmal and Khalikot Khasmal. The geo-ecological complex of the lagoon has not been demarcated duly and the boundaries of the lagoon have also not been fixed to identify the limits of the wetland on the ground.
No working scheme was prepared for management of Chilika eco-complex which resulted in fast degradation of Chilika biosphere. Chilika is a unique bio-sphere comprising several ecological systems. After merger of ex-zamindary forests in the State Forest Department, the process of scientific management was very much neglected. Not only Chilika, but also the estuarine forests of ex-zamidaris of Kujang, Kanika, and Ali etc are now extensively occupied by the prawn cultivators.
A wide variety of wetlands found in our State are marshes, swamps, open water bodies, mangroves, tidal flats, including salt marshes. The wetlands are considered as life support system of many organisms including man, but due to increasing human interventions, they remain highly polluted.
Among the wetland ecosystems, Chilika and Bhitarkanika estuarine sanctuaries take a prime position. Globally 1.5 to 3 billion people depend on wetlands as source of drinking water and for other livelihood security, including food. The major civilizations are noticed in the river valleys and wetlands.
The massive prawn cultivations and encroachments of forest lands within the estuary lands of Chilika are the main reasons of its degradation. Overexploitation of fish and other aquatic resources is very common in Chilika and other wetlands of the State. Even during the breeding period of aquatic animals, the exploitation does not stop. So the potentialities of wetlands are depleting very fast. The case of Chilika is highly deplorable.
The nearby industrial as well as commercial and economic activities are also responsible for discharge of waste water and industrial effluents into the water body of wetlands, which change the bio-chemistry of water, soil and climate system as a whole. Chilika is the worst sufferer.
Chilika faces siltation, resulting in infestation of weed in the water body of the lake. The shallowness of the lagoon is the main cause of infestation of weed.
Due to rapid development of prawn culture within the estuary lands, the concentration of different kinds of fertilizers and pesticides within the wetland is increasing and spoiling the climate system of the wetlands. Recently, the fishes living within the shallow water, ground floor of the wetlands and mudflats were largely killed. The health of the Chilika lake is going from bad to worse.
Although the National Forest Policy 1988 clearly says that one third of landmass of our country must occupy natural forest to achieve sustainable climate system, it does not specifically outline the scientific management of wetlands and wetland climatic system. However, the State Government is the sole authority for management of State forests. The Orissa Forest Act 1972 clearly says in its Chapter II, how the State reserve forests will be created and administered for the benefit of the people. Similarly, the Chapter III and IV deal with village forests and protected forests.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)