- Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second-largest lagoon.
- It lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand.
- It spreads over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.
- It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
- In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
- Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
- The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
- Kalijai Temple – Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.
Every year as winter sets in millions of migratory birds from different parts of world i.e Siberia, Russia etc. flock the lake making Chilika as the largest wintering ground for birds in the subcontinent.The beauty of Chilika has enamoured tourists and writers alike. To enable tourists to savour the serene beauty of Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon at the Dept of Tourism and Forest Department has set up accommodation facilities at the following places- Pathanivas at Barkul and Rambha . Nature Camps at Berhampura, Rajhans and Mangalajodi.
Quacks and calls fill the fresh air pervading ones’ consciousness.
It also boasts of a significant population of Irrawaddy Dolphin which is the highest recorded inland population in the world. One can see groups of Dolphin diving and swimming during boating near Rajhans Nature Camp.
Chilika is a hotspot of biodiversity and has been designated as Wetland of International importance and a RAMSAR Site. It is the biggest breeding place for Flamingos in the World. The major species of colorful birds that can be witnessed are White bellied sea eagles, Gray lag geese, purple moor hen, flamingo jacana, herons, Brahminy ducks, Pintails etc.