Odisha resumes evicting illegal prawn gherries in Chilika

Odisha resumes evicting illegal prawn gherries in Chilika

Subject : Environment / Geography

Context : Removal of illegal prawn gherries (enclosure) in the Chilika Lake, Asia’s biggest brackish water lagoon, resumed June 24, 2021 after pandemic. The drive to remove net gherries inside the lake and demolish prawn culture ponds in the fringe areas of the lake will continue for a few more days, official sources said.

Concept :

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 spreads over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.
• 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.
• Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady 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 – Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.