Flora and fauna of Odisha

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Irrawaddy dolphins. Koraput district of southern Odisha has been identified by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN as Global Agricultural Heritage site which is among only other three sites in the world. Other sites are in Peru, China and Philippines.[1]

Forest

Almost one-third of Odisha is covered by forests which make up about 37.34% of the total land area of the state. These forests cover most of southern and western Odisha. The eastern plains adjacent to the coast are covered by farmlands.

Forest cover, Raghurajpur, Odisha

The forest cover of Odisha extends over an area of 58,136.869 square kilometres out of which reserve forests make up an area of 26,329.12 square kilometres (10,165.73 sq mi), demarcated protected forests make up 11,687.079 square kilometres (4,512.406 sq mi) and undemarcated protected forests make up 3,638.78 square kilometres (1,404.94 sq mi). Other types of forests make up 16,261.34 square kilometres (6,278.54 sq mi) while unclassed forests make up 20.55 square kilometres (7.93 sq mi) of the total forest cover. Bon Jour The State Government of Odisha also classifies forests based on their density. About 538 square kilometres (208 sq mi) of land are classified as very dense forests with a canopy density of over 86 percent, 27,656 square kilometres (10,678 sq mi) of forests are classified as moderately dense cover with a canopy density of 50 to 70 percent and 20,180 square kilometres (7,790 sq mi) of land are classified as an open forest with a canopy density of 10 to 40 percent.

Odisha is the vast state of plants and animals. Odisha's forests yield large quantities of teak and bamboo. Teak, apart from medicinal plants and Kendu leaves contribute substantially towards Odisha's economy. Odisha's forest ecosystem has been greatly affected by deforestation and illegal smuggling and poaching. The state government has established the Odisha Forest Development Corporation to combat the means of smuggling. The State Pollution Control Board has brought a set of rules to force in order to combat environmental pollution.

Chilika Lake

Sanderlings at Chilka Lake

In 1981,

Indian Societies Registration Act. An Integrated Management Plan was later implemented with financial support of ₹570 million (US$12.7 million) and Hydrobiological monitoring was supported under the Odisha Water Resources Consolidation Project of the World Bank
, to the extent of Rs 10 million (US$220,000). A strong support network was created with 7 state government organisations, 33 NGOs, 3 National Government Ministries, 6 other organisations, 11 International organisations, 13 research institutions and 55 different categories of community groups established good international contacts for protection in the area.

Chilika Sea mouth

In November 2002, the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was presented to the Chilika Development Authority for "outstanding achievements in the field of restoration and wise use of wetlands and effective participation of local communities in these activities".[2][3]

The ecological richness of the lake is of great value in preserving the genetic diversity because of the multiplicity of its habitat, flora and fauna. (Some are pictured in the photo gallery).[4] The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) surveyed the lake between 1985 and 1988 and identified 800 species of fauna, including many rare, endangered, threatened and vulnerable species, but excluding terrestrial insects.

Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus

The rare and threatened animal species identified are

amphibians are also reported.[4][5]

Flora

Recent surveys revealed an overall 726 species of flowering plants belonging to 496 genera and 120 families. This represents about one–fourth of the vascular plant species of the Odisha state where some 2900 species altogether are found. Fabaceae is the most dominant plant family followed by Poaceae and Cyperaceae. Certain species were found to be characteristic of specific islands. Important species identified are:.[4][6]

Fauna

Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
inhabit the lake for at least part of their lifecycle. [7]

Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as the

Lakah, Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the Himalayas.[8] A census conducted in the winter of 1997–98 recorded about 2 million birds in the lake.[9]

In 2007, nearly 840,000 birds visited the lake, out of which 198,000 were spotted in Nalbana Island. On 5 January 2008, a bird census involving 85 wildlife officials counted 900,000 birds of which 450,000 were sighted in Nalabana. Removal of

water hyacinth, due to restoration of salinity, is a contributing factor for the recent increasing attraction of birds to the lake.[8][10]

Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana means a weed covered island In the

Wildlife Protection Act.[8][11]

Large flocks of

storks and black-headed ibis
.

Goliath heron

Rare birds reported in the lake are

NT).[11][12]

Peregrine falcon sub-species, Falco peregrinus babylonicus

The

pariah kite, brahminy kites, kestrel, marsh harriers, and the world's most widespread bird of prey, the peregrine falcon, are among the raptors seen here.[11]

Many short-legged shorebirds are seen in a narrow band along the shifting shores of the lake and islands. These include plovers, the collared pratincole, ruff, dunlin, snipes and sandpipers. larks, wagtails and lapwings are also found on the mudflats. Feeding in deeper water are the longer-legged avocets, stilts and godwits.

The higher vegetated areas of the lake support moorhens, coots and jacanas. Pond herons and night herons can be seen along the shores with kingfishers and rollers. Little cormorants are seen on perches around the lake. Compact flocks of

coots, are also seen.[13]

Nesting colonies of

Indian river tern at the island, the largest nesting colony in the southeast Asia.[11]


As per the Chilika Development Authority's (CDA) updated data (2002), 323 aquatic species, which includes 261 fish species, 28

prawns and 34 crabs are reported out of which sixty five species breed in the lake. 27 species are freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The remaining species migrate to the sea to breed. 21 species of herrings and sardines of the family Clupeidae
are reported.

Wallago attu – A common type of fish in the lake

Between 1998 and 2002, 40 fish species were recorded here for the first time and following the reopening of the lake mouth in 2000, six

threatened
species have reappeared, including:

  • Milk fish
    (Seba khainga),
  • Indo-Pacific tarpon
    (Panialehio),
  • Ten pounder (Nahama),
  • Bream (Kala khuranti),
  • Hilsa
    (ilishi) and
  • Mullet (Kekenda)[4][5]
Commercial fisheries

For centuries fisher folk evolved exclusive rights of fishing through a complex system of partitioning the fisheries of the lake, harvested the lake in a relatively sustainable fashion and developed a large range of fishing techniques, nets and gear.[14]

During the British rule, in 1897–98, fishermen community enjoyed exclusive fisheries rights in the lake. The fisheries of the lake were part of the Zamindari estates of Khallikote, Parikud, Suna Bibi, Mirza Taher Baig and the Chaudhary families of Bhungarpur and the Khas mahal areas of Khurda, lying within the kingdoms of the Rajas of Parikud and Khallikote. The zamindars (Landlords) leased out the fisheries exclusively to the local fisherfolk.[14]

With the abolition of

zamindari (land lordship) system in 1953, traditional fishing areas continued to be leased out to cooperatives of local fishermen. Fishing, particularly, prawn fishing, became increasingly remunerative with outside interest playing an important role. But in 1991, when the government of Odisha proposed a leasing policy that would have resulted in the auction of leases to the highest bidder, fishermen's cooperatives challenged the order in court. The High Court of Odisha ordered the Government to enact changes that would protect the interests of traditional fishermen and since then no new leases have been reported. This has resulted in a chaotic regime in which powerful vested interests from outside dominate, and the local people have been subordinated.[14]

Penaeus indicus (Indian white shrimp), Metapenaeus monoceros (speckled shrimp), Metapenaeus affinis (pink prawn) and Metapenaeus dobson (Kadal shrimp). Mangrove crab is the most important commercial crab.[15] Fish landings in the lake, which fluctuated in the past, have recorded a remarkable recovery after the opening of the new mouth and dredging of silt –choked old mouth Magarmukh in 2000–2001, resulted in a better intermixing of the tidal influx from the sea and freshwater inflow from rivers. Against an all time lowest landing of fish and prawn of 1269 MT 1,269 t (1,398.8 short tons) in 1995–96, the all-time high is reported to be 11,878 t (13,093.3 short tons) during 2001–2002 resulting in an estimated per capita income for the fisher folk of Rs 19,575 (about US$392) during the year.[5] Recently, the Government of Odisha have issued a notification banning the lease of Chilika Lake for Culture Fishery.[14]

Dolphins

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is the flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilka is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India [16] and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species. [12] It is classified as

Critically Endangered
, in five of the six other places it is known to live. [17]

A small population of bottlenose dolphins, also migrate into the lagoon from the sea.[18] Chilika fishermen say that when Irrawaddy dolphins and bottlenose dolphins meet in the outer channel, the former get frightened and are forced to return toward the lake.[19]

Some Irrawaddy dolphins used to be sighted only along the inlet channel and in a limited portion of the central sector of the lake. After the opening of the new mouth at Satapada in 2000, they are now well distributed in the central and the southern sector of the lake.[12] The number of dolphins sighted has varied from 50 to 170. A 2006 census counted 131 dolphins and the 2007 census revealed 138 dolphins. Out of the 138 dolphins, 115 were adults, 17 adolescents and six calves. 60 adults were spotted in the outer channel followed by 32 in the central sector and 23 in the southern sector.[20]

Dolphin tourism provides an important alternative source of income for many local residents. There are four tourist associations in Satapada employing three hundred and sixty 9-HP long-tail motor boats taking tourists to a 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) area of the lake for dolphin watching. About 500 fishing families are involved in this business.[16] The Odisha Tourism Department and the Dolphin Motorboat Association, an NGO at Satpada, report about 40,000 tourists visit Chilika every year for dolphin Watching. October–January and May–June are the peak season for tourists at Chilika, with a maximum 600–700 per day during December–January. The Dolphin Motorboat Association has 75 8-passenger motorboats for dolphin watching. Tourists pay Rs. 250 for 60–90 minutes per trip. According to the Association, most tourists see dolphins. Only 5% return disappointed. Besides the Association, the Odisha Tourism Department organises "dolphin-watch" for tourists. Even during monsoon, about 100 tourists/day visit the lake.[21]

Boat based dolphin watching tours impact dolphin behavior and cause several accidental dolphin deaths each year.[22] CDA conducts an annual census of dolphin deaths. They report 15 deaths in 2003–04, 11 in 2004–05, 8 in 2005–06 and 5 in 2006–07. 40% of the 2006–07 deaths were by mechanised boats.[20]

Since 1984, the

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society has been conducting a science-based community education project to conserve the Irrawaddy dolphins and Chilika Lake. They have determined the primary cause of mortality for this population of dolphins is floating gill nets and hook line fisheries and the secondary cause is boat strikes from increasing unmanaged tourism activities.[16]

The Irrawaddy dolphins have a seemingly mutualistic relationship of co-operative fishing with the traditional fishermen. Fishermen recall when they would call out to the dolphins, to drive fish into their nets. [22] Castnet fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins in upper reaches of the Ayeyawady River has been well documented.[23]

The only other sub-populations of Irrawaddy dolphins are found in a 190 km (118.1 mi) stretch of the

Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar (about 59 freshwater individuals). Less than 50 were reported in Songkhla Lake in Thailand.[17][24][25][26] With no more than 474 Irrawaddy dolphins reported worldwide in 2007, The Chilika dolphins comprise at least 29% of the total world population and are the largest subpopulation in the world.[27]

References

  1. ^ "Agricultural heritage status for Koraput?". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
  2. ^ The Ramsar Convention (26 November 2008). "The Montreux Record". Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  3. ^ Chilika Development Authority (2008). "Ramsar Award". Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d WWF India (2008). "Chilika Lake". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Chilika Development Authority (2008). "Fish Yield Status". Archived from the original on 30 June 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  6. ^ International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) (2005). "Chilika Lagoon-Experience and Lessons Learned Brief, Asish K.Ghosh, CED & Ajit K.Patnaik, CDA, pp. 116–129" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  7. ^ "Chilika Lake". Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  8. ^ a b c Choudhury, Dr. Janmejay (November 2007). "Nature Queen Chilika and Eco-Tourism" (PDF). Orissa Review. Govt. of Orissa: 17–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2009.
  9. ^ staff (15 October 1998). "Birds Crowd Orissa Sanctuary". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 September 2004. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  10. ^ "900,000, Birds Visit Chilika Lake". srijanfoundation. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d Chilika Development Authority (2008). "Avi fauna". Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  12. ^
    UNEP International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network. p. 115. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Chilika Lagoon". Birds and birding in India. birding.in. 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  14. ^ a b c d "History of Chilika". Chilika Lake Development Authority, Odisha. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  15. ISBN 9781853836992
    .
  16. ^
    Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
  17. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T15419A50367860.en
    . Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  18. ^ Forest and Environment Department. "Chilika". Wildlife Conservation in Orissa. Govt of Orissa. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  19. ^ Sinha, R.K. (May–August 2004). "THE IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS ORCAELLA OF CHILIKA LAGOON, INDIA'" (PDF). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 101 (2). Mumbai, India: online edition: Environmental Information System (ENVIS), Annamalai University, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Parangipettai – 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India: 244–251. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2009.
  20. ^ a b Das, Subrat (28 February 2008). "Dolphins better off in Chilika – Survey reveals dip in death toll of Irrawaddy School". The Telegraph. Calcutta. pp. Front page. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
  21. ENVIS, Annamalai University, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology: 244–251. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2009.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link
    )
  22. ^ a b D'Lima, Coralie (2008). "Dolphin-human interactions, Chilika" (PDF). Project summary. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  23. ^ Tun, Tint (2008). "Castnet Fishing with the Help of Irrawaddy Dolphins". Irrawaddy Dolphin. Yangon, Myanmar. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
  24. ^ "River Dolphins – The Irrawaddy dolphin". WWF for a living planet. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  25. ^ Chilika Development Authority (2008). "Opening of a new mouth opposite to village Sipakuda". Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  26. ^ Chilika Development Authority (2008). "Socio-economic Characteristics and Issues Community Dependence on the Lake". Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  27. ^ Measurement: 138 ÷ (138 + 100 +50 + 77 + 59 + 50 = 474) = .29
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