Context

Odisha to conserve two of its largest lakes

About

• The Odisha Wetland Authority has approved implementation of an integrated management plan for Chilika, country’s largest brackish water lagoon, and Ansupa, State’s largest freshwater lake.
• The five-year management of lakes is intended at strengthening livelihood of thousands of fishermen relying on the two water-bodies. Besides, tourism promotion and conservation of ecology will be taken up.

Chilika Lake

• Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal
• It is Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. These birds travel great distances; migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika Lake.
• Chilka Lake is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
• The Irrawaddy dolphin has been found in Chilika Lake. It is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
• Irrawaddy dolphins are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Ansupa Lake

• Ansupa Lake is one of the largest fresh water lake of Odisha situated in Banki, Cuttack.
• It was created by Mahanadi and got a shape like the hoof of a horse.
• It spreads over a vast area of 141 hectare, and surrounded by Saranda Hills in its length.
• The lake is surrounded with high hills. One can have a view of high hills around the lake.