Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake Timings, Route Info, Entry fees, Images

Best Time to Visit: Nov-Mar.

About Chilika Lake

This Lake stretches over an area of 1165 sq Km during Rainy Season. 906 sq Km during Summer Season. This natural lake formed due to high tides from the Bay of Bengal and Freshwater from the land. Between the 1970’s – 90’s the inflow was reduced from the Sea and the river water turned lake from Brackish to Redish which affected the Ecosystem. The ecosystem was restored with a new inlet in Sep 2000.

Nalbana Sanctuary, Central Chilika

This Lake was designated as the Ramsar Site on Oct 1, 1981. This Lake homes 228 birds species among which 139 species are wetland birds.

Flamingos feed on these water during Winter season. Commonly seen birds are Seagull, white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, golden plovers, sandpipers, Egret, pelicans, Little Cormorant etc, from Siberia, Iran and Central Asia.

It is estimated that Chilika homes 150 Irrawaddy Dolphins (Beakless Dolphins). It is the major tourist attraction. A Jetty is available for the tourists.

Mangalajodi Marshes, Northern Chilika

Boating is available here for the tourists which pass thru Marshes from 6:00 am.

Commonly seen birds are Black-tailed Godwits, Common Moorhen, Moorhen, Purple swamphen, Wilson’s Snipe, Indian Pond Heron, Common Ringed Plover, Black Ibis, Asian Openbill, Great Egret, Oriental White Ibis, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Snipe, Red Wattled Lapwing, Comb Duck, Brahmini Ducks, Whiskered Tern, Grey-headed Lapwing, Bronze-winged Jacana, Citrine Wagtail, Little Grebe, Black-Winged Stilt, Northern Pintail, Purple Heron, Little grebe chick, White-throated Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Common Kingfisher, Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark, Brahminy Kite, Short-toed Sanke Eagle, Rooster, Black Drongo, Oriental Pratincole, Knob billed duck and many more birds.

How to reach Chilika Lake?

By Air

The nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar which is 100 km from Chilika

By Train

The nearest Railway station is at Bhubaneswar which is 102 Km.

By Road

This place can be reached from Bhubaneswar.

Chilika Lake Images

Reference Link: details