What is causing the ecological threat to Chilika Lake?

Chilika Lake is primarily threatened by rapid siltation, with an estimated 800,000 metric tonnes of mud entering the lake annually, leading to its shrinking size and altered salinity.

What measures are being taken to restore Chilika Lake?

A Rs 2,000 crore project, with technical assistance from IIT Madras, is being prepared to restore Chilika Lake. This includes desilting channels, reconfiguring the tidal inlet, and improving fisheries and tourism infrastructure.

Why is the connection between Chilika Lake and the sea important?

The connection to the sea is vital for Chilika Lake's brackish water ecosystem, maintaining salinity levels necessary for fish migration, biodiversity, and preventing weed proliferation and stagnation.

Home / Environment / Chilika Lake's ecological crisis: Officials mull $2B revival plan

Chilika Lake's ecological crisis: Officials mull $2B revival plan

17 Jan

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Summary

Chilika Lake is threatened by 800,000 metric tonnes of annual siltation.
A $2,000 crore project report by IIT Madras aims to restore the lake's health.
Restoration includes hydrological interventions and livelihood improvements.

Chilika Lake's ecological crisis: Officials mull $2B revival plan

Chilika Lake, a significant Ramsar site and popular tourist spot, is once again facing ecological challenges approximately two decades after a successful intervention to improve its health. An estimated 800,000 metric tonnes of silt enter the lake annually, leading to shrinking water bodies and a decline in its ecosystem. This situation prompts the government, with technical aid from IIT Madras, to prepare a Rs 2,000 crore detailed project report for the lake's long-term restoration.

In 2000, the opening of a new tidal mouth near Sipakuda significantly improved Chilika's ecological balance, leading to its delisting from the Montreux Record. However, recent monitoring indicates a decline, attributed to internal channel siltation, a shifting and narrowing tidal inlet, and reduced salinity. Experts emphasize the need to re-establish a robust connection with the sea to maintain the brackish water balance crucial for its biodiversity and fisheries.