Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary
Highlights: Chilka Lake, Nalabana, Birds Island, Kalijai, Satapada, Parikud and Malud
How To Reach:
By Air: Bhubaneshwar is at a distance of 120 kilometers from Chilka and is the nearest airport.
By Rail: The nearest railheads are at Rambha and Balugaon
By Road: Chilka Lake is connected to Puri, Behrampore, Bhubaneshwar Cuttack, Hyderabad and Chennai via road network.
Chilka Bird Sanctuary in Orissa is a famous bird sanctuary of India. Located in the vicinity of beautiful salt water lake Chilka, the sanctuary provides refuge to a large number of inland as well as migratory birds. The panoramic view of the sanctuary is really breathtaking. There are a number of islands at the Lake including Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island.
Nalabana Sanctuary in the heart of Chilka Bird Sanctuary is the integral part of this sanctuary. Chilka Lake is world's largest brackish water Lake and spreads across 1,100 kilometers. The lake is pear shaped and offers a perfect habitat for different bird species. The Lake is truly a bird's watcher's delight. The birds nesting in this sanctuary are jacana, purple moorhen, white-bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, herons and flamingos. It is also the best breeding ground for flamingos.
Aquatic life at the lake comprises of prawns, crabs, Irrawaddy Dolphin, the limbless lizard, crustaceans and more than 225 species of fish that include the Arius arius, Alepes djedaba, Acentrogobius griseous and the Elops machnata.
The sanctuary also has wild animals inhabiting silently along with birds. The animals that can be spotted near the shores are blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to March when at least 50 to 70 species of migratory birds visit the lake. The weather is warm throughout the year, so one can visit the Park anytime except monsoon as the land becomes slippery and unsuitable to walk.
|
