The vast pear- shaped expanse of water has a green range of hills on the west and the blue sea on the east. It is an Covering an area of more than a thousand square kilometers on the coast of orissa lays
brackish water lake - chilika. It is also a ramsar site, an international recognition for the wetlands and it’s rich biodiversity. A sandy ridge separates this ethereally beautiful lake from the tempestuous waters of the bay Bengal. The chilika Lake meets the sea through a natural mouth at the village of AraKhKuda and through an artificial mouth near brahampura, which has been newly opened.
The vast pear- shaped expanse of water has a green range of hills on the west and the blue sea on the east. It is an Covering an area of more than a thousand square kilometers on the coast of orissa lays India’s largest impressive 70 km long, of which the northern portion widens out to a breadth of 32 km. The southern end of chilika tapers into irregularly carved points averaging a width of 8 km. During the dry months, the water of the lake remains distinctively salty. Interestingly, when the numerous rivers and rivulets disgorge their waters into the chilika with the arrival of the rains, its salinity gets diluted and it transforms into a brackish water lake
This peculiar phenomenon makes Chilika a paradise for the zoology enthusiast. The lake and the surrounding wetlands are home to an amazing verity of fauna - sponges, fishes, crabs, turtles and so on. One hundred and fifty eight species of fish and prawn are found here. Cavorting dolphins near Satpada are an added attraction for anyone who visits Chilika.
The lake is also an ideal breeding ground for thousands of resident and migration birds. The aquatic vegetation of reeds, insects and weeds attract a big number of feathered beauties. Though the birds scatter throughout the lake, the major concentration is at Nalbana, an island about 8 km in
Circumference above water level. Besides nalbana, chilika is dotted with a long chain of islands, all of tham rich with vegetation and wildlife. Black bucks, spotted deer and sambars are found here. Some of the islands have enticing names like ‘honeymoon island’ and Breakfast island’. The Kalijai Island is also a spiritual destination. With an enviable variety of flora and fauna, Chilika Lake is indeed a photographer’s and a naturalist’s delight. The ascent all the way is steady and as the train huffs and puffs its way, green meadows, capsicum fields, red- roofed chalets and half- timbered houses pass by. Passsge air jabs you the moment you hit jabli, 1240 metres above sea level and the three picturesque loops near Taksal, Gumman and Dharampur provide perfect photo-ops. Meandering through Kumarthatti, the train then a Kilometre halfway, is the most famous one.
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