Why is Chilika lake considered as a biodiversity hotspot?

Why is Chilika lake considered as a biodiversity hotspot?

The sea grass meadows of the lake are expanding in spite of anthropogenic pressure, which is a sign of healthy ecosystem. Thus the lake contains the most important and significant actual habitat for in situ conservation of biological diversity including rare species of birds and animals.

What is ecosystem of Chilika Lake?

Chilika Lake is the largest wetland along the east coast of India. The lake is a unique assemblage of marine, brackish and fresh water eco-systems with estuarine characters. This fragile ecosystem is known for its amazing biodiversity and is a designated Ramsar site.

What is the significance of Chilika Lake?

Because of its rich bio-diversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika was designated as a Ramsar site in 1981 to afford better protection. Chilika is recognized as one of the most important wetlands in the world because it is home to a phenomenal variety of birds.

Why do millions of birds migrate to Chilika lake every year?

Winged guests from far off places including Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, remote parts of Russia, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come to the Chilika lake in every winter for feeding and roosting. They start their homeward journey with the onset of summer, the official said.

How many biodiversity are there in Odisha?

The biodiversity of Orissa consists of 2760 species of angiosperms, 543 species of algae, 132 species of pteridophytes, 473 species of birds, 110 specie of Page 6 reptiles, 86 species of mammals and 20 species of amphibians.

What are the man made threats to the fish in Chilika?

“The campaign is important as Chilika lagoon, spread over 1165 sq km is affected by plastic pollution like other water bodies. The plastic pollution, apart from causing health hazards has also gone into the food chain through micro plastics in the various fish, crab and prawn present in the lake.

How did the Chilika Development Authority develop and support eco tourism in Chilika?

There Chilika Lagoon is under intense monitoring to ensure there is no Eco-system failure. The special care accorded to this unique and one of the rare sites in the world has been strengthened through the efforts of a specially tailored project, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP-Odisha).

Why chilika wetland has major significance in environmental management scenario?

Chilika is a dynamic assemblage of shallow to very shallow marine, brackish and freshwater habitats. The presence of unique salinity gradient enables the wetland to support a wide range of biodiversity and support livelihoods of dependent communities through its ecosystem services.

What is Maharashtra Flora?

villosa, Erythrina Variegata (Indian Coral tree), Lannea coromandelica (Shemat), Borassus flabellifer (Toddy Palm), Ficus racemosa (Fig), Zizyphus mauritiana (Ber), Pterospermum acerifolium, Tectona grandis (Teak) were some of the species rare In the area; whereas trees like Trema orientalis (Charcoal tree), Morinda …

Which is the chief cause of Chilika pollution?

What is the biodiversity of the Chilika Lagoon?

About 70% of this population depends on fishing as the means of livelihood. The Chilika Lagoon is hot spot of rich Biodiversity. There are 546 species of angiospermic plants belonging to 379 genera and 107 families, above 100 phytoplankton genera, 20 species of weed and 7 pteridophytic species documented so far in the Lagoon and the islands.

How many species of plants are there in Chilika?

There are 546 species of angiospermic plants belonging to 379 genera and 107 families, above 100 phytoplankton genera, 20 species of weed and 7 pteridophytic species documented so far in the Lagoon and the islands. Chilika is very rich in both invertebrate and vertebrate fauna.

What is the significance of the Chilika National Park?

Chilika is very rich in both invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. This Ramsar site is the habitat for the largest congregation of waterfowls in India. Over a million birds congregate in this water body for feeding and roosting.

What is the story of Chilika?

Almost 400 years ago, the saint poet Purshottam Das, a devotee of Lord Jagannath, wrote a poem about Lord Krishna dancing with a milkmaid called Maniki, who had come to sell curds on the banks of the Chilika. Chilika supports some of the largest congregation of migratory birds in the country, particularly during the winter.

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