Odisha’s Picturesque Chilika Lake Now Comes Alive With Migratory Birds
Blessed with favourable weather, abundant fish stock and diverse habitats, Chilika continues to offer a lifeline to millions of migratory birds each winter
Bhubaneswar: As winter tightens its grip across the subcontinent, Odisha’s iconic Chilika Lake is once again resonating with the calls, wingbeats and colours of migratory birds arriving from distant lands. This Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon has transformed into a vibrant avian sanctuary, reaffirming its status as one of India’s most important wintering grounds for migratory species.
With the onset of colder temperatures, thousands of birds have begun descending on the vast wetland, turning its tranquil waters and marshy islands into a living mosaic of biodiversity. From October to March every year, Chilika hosts this remarkable seasonal influx, drawing birdwatchers, researchers and tourists from across the country.
According to Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Chilika Wildlife Division, the current migratory season has already recorded an impressive presence of birds. “During the latest bird estimation exercise, around 11.27 lakh migratory birds were counted across different parts of Chilika,” he said.
Birds congregate across several pockets of the sprawling lagoon, but Nalbana Bird Sanctuary and Mangalajodi continue to remain the most popular hotspots. Nalbana, a protected island within Chilika, offers a safe roosting and feeding ground, while Mangalajodi, once notorious for poaching, has emerged as a global model of community-led conservation and sustainable eco-tourism.
To safeguard the visiting birds during the peak season, the forest department has strengthened its protection and monitoring mechanisms. As many as 21 bird protection camps have been set up around the lake, complemented by round-the-clock patrolling to prevent poaching and habitat disturbance.
Conservation efforts extend beyond enforcement. “We are regularly conducting awareness programmes for schoolchildren and the general public to highlight the importance of migratory birds and wetland conservation,” Nayak said. Special meetings are also organised in vulnerable areas to sensitise local communities, whose cooperation has proved crucial in preserving Chilika’s fragile ecosystem.
These sustained initiatives have yielded visible results. Officials say incidents of poaching have declined sharply over the years, allowing Chilika to reclaim its natural rhythm as a safe refuge for birds arriving from as far as Siberia, Central Asia and Europe.
Blessed with favourable weather, abundant fish stock and diverse habitats, Chilika continues to offer a lifeline to millions of migratory birds each winter. At the same time, the seasonal spectacle provides a significant boost to eco-tourism, supporting local livelihoods while reminding visitors of the delicate balance that sustains this unique wetland.
As the lagoon hums with avian life, Chilika stands as a powerful example of how conservation, community participation and nature can coexist if protected with care and commitment.
