Irrawaddy Dolphin

Subject – Environment

Context – Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in Chilika

Concept –

Irrawaddy dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and mentioned in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species.
Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong (China).
Dolphin distribution in Chilika is considered to be the highest single lagoon population.

Chilika Lake

Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second-largest lagoon.
It lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand.
It is located at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal,
It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
Kalijai Temple is located on an island in the Chilika Lake.
At present, the Irrawaddy dolphins are only found between Chilika and Indonesia in Asia.