Odisha Chilika Lagoon changes into one of the most colourful bird sanctuaries in India as winter sets in. This large brackish water lagoon, dispersed over more than 1,100 square kilometres, has already been visited by 67 species of migratory birds this season, the season of its annual natural spectacle.
Each year, birds in other parts of the world, such as Siberia, Mongolia, and Central Asia, travel thousands of kilometres in search of refuge in the warm climate of Chilika. The islands of the lagoon, mudflats and shallow waters provide the best feeding and nesting places. Northern pintails, gadwalls, and glossy ibises are among the early arrivals, and are species that require this habitat to survive severe northern winter months.
Chilika Lagoon is not only the biggest brackish-water lagoon of Asia, but also a wetland of international significance designated as such by the Ramsar Convention. It harbours more than a million birds during its peak migration, thus forming one of the most amazing natural congregations in India. The birds, especially flamingos, pelicans and teals, are seen by the thousands filling the sky, which makes Chilika a heaven to both lovers and conservationists.
Nevertheless, this ecological miracle is threatened by rising temperatures. Unlawful fishing, encroachment of habitats, and even the water levels have started to disturb the lives of the birds. Conservationists emphasise the importance of rigorous management and protection of wetlands and community-based approaches to conserve the fragile ecosystem upon which these species are sustainably supported.
The season of migration at Chilika is not just a visual treat--it is a lesson to India on the precarious natural equilibrium of the country. Investing in the protection of this lagoon will be not only a guarantee of the survival of many migratory birds but also a guarantee of local livelihoods that rely on the flourishing biodiversity.