We’re sure you’ve all heard of Chilika Lake in Odisha and may have been there too. Did you know that it’s a Ramsar site, with a thriving wildlife and exotic flora? Read on.
Surrounded by hills, this brackish water lagoon boasts of pristine beauty and several species of birds, animals and marine life, including dolphins! Yep. The place is home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin and the Barkudia limbless skink besides over 200 species of birds and several islands. Thanks to the presence of both fresh and saline water, the lake supports a diverse marine life.
Chilika used to be a flourishing port earlier with traders sailing to Southeast Asia before becoming the abode of rare birds and wildlife. Go boating on the blue waters while listening to the chirping of birds and spotting fishing boats in the middle of the lake.
Birdwatchers, head to Nalabana Island because that’s where you’ll find all the exotic resident and migratory birds. Spot flamingoes, herons, egrets, white-billed storks, white-bellied sea eagles, open-billed storks, geese, pintails, spoonbills, spot-billed pelicans, stilts, seagulls and kingfishers to name a few, foraging in the waters. Besides, you'll also find blackbucks, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas.
The sunrise and sunset views cannot be missed while you're here.
