The sanctuary in Puri (Orissa) is Asia’s largest inland salt-water lagoon. The pear-shaped lake, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge, spreads across 1,100 sq km. It has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna fo
und in and around its brackish waters. It has many native and migrant birds.
Birds: White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, herons and flamingos.
Fauna: Blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas can be spotted here. The lake harbours around 160 species of fish, crustaceans and other marine creatures, including the famous Chilka dolphin. Prawn, crab and mackerel fishing
are an important source of livelihood for the local people.
How to get there
By air: Chilka is approximately 120 km from Bhubaneshwar, the nearest airport.
By road: State transport, OTDC tour buses and private operators ply the roads between Chilka, Puri, Behrampore, Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack.
By rail: The nearest railway stations are at Rambha and Balugaon, both of which have train connections to cities as distant as Kolkata, Puri, Hyderabad and Chennai. From both Balugaon and Rambha buses are available to the lake.
Over waters: The services of local boatmen and the OTDC’s motorboats are available for access to the islands, though outboard motors are not allowed near the bird sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit: From October to March, when the lake is crowded with migrating birds, around 50 to 70 species.
Accommodation: There are a few hotels on the banks of the lake including an OTDC run hotel and two tourist bungalows (the ‘Panthnivas’ at Rambha and Barkul). A number of State-run as well as privately-operated rest houses a
nd tourist lodges also dot the shores of the lake.
Contact: India Wildlife Resorts, 011 – 42153655/3755/3955 or +919810352536
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