Overview of the destinationChilika is a largest brackish water lagoon in India and supports a wide assemblage of marine, brackish and freshwater flora and fauna. The beauty of the lagoon has inspired poets and thinkers which is quite evident in the poems written by Pandit Godavarish Mishra and Radhanath Roy describing the beauty of Chilika. Chilika is an integral part of culture of coastal Orissa. . It was one of the outlets of maritime trade through which the traders of Orissa used to sail for South-east Asian countries like Java, Sumatra and Bali. Manikpatna happened to be the port for quite some time. The lagoon supports the largest congregations of the migratory and non migratory birds in the country, particularly during the winter. Flocks of migratory waterfowl arrive from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas, to feed and breed on its fertile waters. In 1989-90 an estimated two million birds visited the lagoon. As per the report of the Asian Waterfowl Census, Chilika supports more than a million water birds every winter. It hosts over 205 species of birds during the peak migratory season of which at least 97 are intercontinental migrants. Chilika provides an excellent opportunity for eco-tourism and the participatory eco-tourism can generate adequate alternate employment opportunities for the local community and create desired awareness amongst the stake-holder as well as the visitors for the conservation and wise use of it?s natural resources.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping
There are two sides of Chilka. Rambha & Satpara.
Both the Loation is having the Resort Accomodation from OTDC. Rambha situated at the southern end of the lagoon Rambha bay is dotted with a number of Islands and because of its enchanting beauty it happend to be the picnic ground of Britishers . The number of inviting islands popping out of vast stretch of blue water and each Island has got some story to tell. It is an excellent site for Island trip as each island has got some uniqueness. Satpara, located on the eastern shore of the lake, it is 55 Kms from Puri. It is bounded by the lagoon on three sides and thus offers an excellent view of the Lagoon. One main attraction of Satapada is Irrawaddy Dolphins, At present 150 unemployed youth of Satapada area are operating 75 boats to conduct the tourist into the Lake from Satapada. The following spots can be the tourist destination from satapada.
Activities & things to do
Only Day Activities. You can take a Boat (Rs. 1000) in evening or Morning to move around Chilka Lake. You should Must Visit the 'mohana'. If you are going in winter , you will be lucky to see the Great Flamingos. Other than Flamingo there will be lot of birds. If you are not in Groups , my advise is not to stay at night. Night is absolutely blank . There will be no activity other than watching TV at Hotel Room.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Road is very Good from Puri. You will enjoy the Drive. It is hardly 1.30 hour from Puri. You can hire a Car from Puri for Chilka. Other wise Local Buses are available.
From Bhubaneswar.
Balugaon 96 Kms.
Barkul 105 Kms.
Rambha 130 Kms.
Winter 17°C
Summer 31 °C
Rainfall 135.23 Cms.
.gif){kind=small}
