Chilika Lake: Historical and Ecological Perspectives

Summary

Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lagoon spanning 1,000 sq. km in Odisha, holds international ecological significance due to its unique bio-diversity. Formed approximately 6,000 years ago when a sandbar separated it from the Bay of Bengal, it maintains a brackish ecosystem through a 25-km channel that allows saltwater inflow during high tides. Freshwater inputs come from rivers like the Daya and Vargavi and smaller rivulets from the Eastern Ghats. This salinity gradient supports diverse flora (140 aquatic plant types) and fauna, including 88 fish species, prawns, crabs, dolphins, and migratory birds from regions like Siberia and Kazakhstan. Historically, the lake’s ecology shaped the livelihoods of peripheral communities, primarily fisherfolk castes like the Kaibartas, Gokhas, Kandaras, and Tiaris. Over time, socio-economic factors drew non-traditional groups like Khandayats, Telis, and Muslims into fishing. The Kaibartas, divided into Chasi and Jalia sub-castes, remain dominant, adopting advanced fishing techniques and marketing practices. Traditional roles include net-making (Machhua Kandaras) and land cultivation alongside fishing. The lake’s ecological degradation over the past 50 years—due to weed infestation, salinity changes, and shifting mouth dynamics—has reduced fish stocks, impacting the socio-economic fabric of the 2.5 lakh people dependent on it. Occupational mobility has been limited by the specialized skills required for lake fishing, and traditional settlements reflect ecological and cultural adaptations. Intensive prawn farming and population growth have exacerbated resource stress, disrupting the lake’s ecosystem and the communities reliant on it.